Page 87 of All Our Secrets

“Silas, stop. This is it.”

Ignoring me, he gripped my chin and put us nose to nose. He took my hand and placed it over his chest. “I’m like a waterfall, babe.Yourwaterfall. What I feel for you keeps pouring out. You can crush me with your words every day, and I’ll keep running back.”

My eyes misted, so I closed them. “What have I done?”

“Don’t cry, Peyton. Please. We can go slower, but we’re not stopping. You’re allowed to be happy. You’re allowed to move on.”

“Not with my husband’s best friend!” I shouted and pushed away from him, climbing out of bed.

“Stop saying that.” His words were quiet yet frightening as his eyes darkened. “Come here.”

My breath hitched as I took in his bare chest, then lowered my gaze to the sheet draped across his lap. I swallowed. The light was terrifying. There was alwaystoomuch of him to see. “You don’t play fair.”

“You don’t either.” His stare flickered up and down my body. I covered myself with my arms as best as I could. “You give yourself to me, then you try and take it back?”

I scoffed. “We’re grown adults. You’ve been with people, and so have I. I’ve never seen you keep anyone just because you’ve touched them.”

He smirked. “They weren’t you, Peyton.MyPeyton. That’s what you are. Mine.”

“You’re crazy.”

“I’m not letting you slip through my fingers again. That doesn’t make me crazy for wanting you.”

“I think… I want to head home early. Tomorrow actually.”

Silas’s gaze softened. The pain there was so sharp, though. “Peyton…”

I had to look away. “No. You will take me home. And that’s that. I’m serious this time.”

“I’m serious too, baby, when I say I want you and no one else.”

Before my heart could become any more pathetic in front of him, I rushed to my room.

_____

“Why are you guys leaving already?” Sarah frowned as Silas threw our luggage in his SUV.

“I’m not feeling too good.”

She arched one eyebrow, leaning closer. “Something happened, didn’t it?” I lowered my face, and she sighed. “You bit off more than you can chew with that one, didn’t you?”

I shrugged. “It’s already done.”

“Please don’t get so caught up in the wrongs and rights,” she rushed out. “Okay?”

“Everyone is giving uslooksalready. I can’t stand it. My stomach constantly hurts, then when it doesn’t…” I wanted Silas to hold me. In fact, I wished for him to do so now, even as I pushed him away.

My gaze landed on Silas as he stepped toward us.

“Ready?” he asked.

I nodded before looking at Sarah. “Have fun, okay?”

“Text me when y’all make it home.”

“I will.”

Things were tense between Silas and me during the drive. The small confinement of his vehicle was filled with an electrical charge that had me scrolling through my phone, monkeying with his stereo—anythingbut looking at him or speaking.

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