Page 80 of Consume Me

“I don’t know you because you’ve always kept everything inside.”

He huffs and scoots up in the bed. “There’s nothing inside of me that is worthy of your attention. Believe me.”

“Why don’t you let me decide that for myself?”

“I’ll see you later,” he says and walks out.

I roll out of bed, sighing. His scent lingers in my room as if he touched everything, me included, and it stopped being mine. It’s his, ours.

Changing, I go to the kitchen. He’s there, offering me a smoothie.

I take it with trembling fingers. “Thank you,” I say, sipping from the fruity concoction.

Exhaustion crosses his features. Following my instincts, I place the glass down and approach him where he’s leaning against the counter. His legs part, inviting me between them. I cup his cheeks and rise onto my tiptoes, but his arms remain stiff at his sides, just as rigid as his body.

“Tell me to stop,” I say, our mouths a breath apart. “Tell me I am a pathetic, delusional girl, sick with whatever I feel for you, and I should stop.”

He grips the edges of the counter so hard the wood might splinter.

“Tell me I am annoying you. Tell me you feel nothing and want nothing to do with me. Tell me you don’t want more.”

“And you’ll stop?”

My chest cracks, agony slipping through the gaps to rein inside of me. “I’ll stop.”

He opens his mouth but clamps it shut. A hard line carves in his jaw, but I know what he wants to say from his hard expression alone. I take a step back, readying myself for the blow that will shred my insides, right in time for Bailey to come into the kitchen.

“Morning,” she says.

All three of us prepare breakfast in complete silence. Bailey can read a room, so no wonder there.

And between me and Blake, what more is there to say? Nothing will change. He has an almost inhuman determination, as if it’s forged in steel. Every time I think I breach his walls, he puts up another one.

The rest of our friends arrive, taking their seats, and digging into the pancakes.

I just want this day over with so I can go see my father. It’s useless hoping I could mend my heart or put a stop to my madness, but at least I can wallow in peace there for a bit.

I feel Blake’s gaze on me, but I look ahead, physically present, while my thoughts take me far away from here. When the girls stand up, I realize I must have zoned out, so I scramble up and follow them. The moment I am outside, I can’t stop the tears from falling.

They hug me so tightly. At this moment, they’re holding me together.

“I don’t know what to do… it hurts so much.” And the worst part is, I can’t stop myself either.

“Mia, give him a bit of time,” Bailey says.

“I don’t think I can any longer…”

“I’m so sorry,” Abi sighs.

“I want to beat some sense into him really badly,” Celine says.

It’s no one’s fault. But my bestie would definitely get in the ring with him for me.

“Thank you, girls. For being there for me.”

Dabbing at my eyes, we head toward class. On the main campus, we meet up with Xander and Tyson, who looks better, the traces of the fight no longer visible.

Tyson scoops me into his arms. How I wish I’d feel something—anything.

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