Page 56 of Ricochet

So now he’s going to be inside Callum’s home too.

I wonder how many little pieces I could cut Eric’s body into.

Callum nods at him. “Yeah, that works.”

Maybe I’ll get the chance to find out.

Nate and Brooks head out, and Callum pulls on his hoodie. I know I don’t have a right to stop him, but any sense I had has long since gone out the window.

I step up to him while Eric is zipping up his bag on the other side of the room. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

Callum hesitates with his hand on his bag, like he’s considering refusing.

I know he’s not stupid…

“It’s fine,” Eric answers for him as he throws his bag over his shoulder. “I’ll meet you outside, Cal.”

“Okay,”Calsays.

As soon as Eric is out the door, I crowd Callum’s space. “What the fuck did I just tell you?”

He lets go of his bag and crosses his arms over his chest, guaranteeing at least a couple more inches of space between us. “What the hell is your problem? Eric is myfriend. You know, like Nate and Brooks and Jesse are my friends. You’re being fucking crazy.”

“Crazy?” I sure feel like it, but… “You haven’t seen crazy yet.”

“I told you before that I don’t belong to anyone. That includes you, Stone. Now back the fuck off.”

I’m in a tunnel that’s caving in, and the only thing at the end of it is Callum.

Taking a step forward, my chest bumps against his forearms. It’s still not as close as I’d rather be.

“If I haven’t made it clear to you by now, I don’t take anything from you that you don’t willingly give.” I lean forward another inch until I can feel his choppy breath on my lips. “But you’ve already given yourself to me. So it’s too fucking late for that, Callum.”

His jaw tenses, and he speaks through clenched teeth. “I’m. Not. Yours.”

I step back again, wondering if my eyes are as dark as his are right now. “Fine. Then leave.”

He lets out an exasperated breath and turns away. I’m tempted to grab him and pin him down,showhim that he really is mine.

But I can’t force him. Iwon’t.

He’ll realize it for himself soon.

After he’s gone, I pick up someone’s glove left on the bench and throw it clear across the locker room, knocking someone else’s pads down from their shelf.

This is exactly why I have an outlet for my anger. Hockey’s good for when I just need to crunch someone against the boards. Maybe break a bone or two.

Butthisanger?

Someone isdefinitelydying tonight.

Stone is a walking redflag. I should stay away from him.

But I think we’ve concluded I almost never do what I should.

I meant what I said when I told him I don’t belong to anyone. I was freed from any bonds of ownership when my stepfather died. Even after my aunt got custody of me, I never felt like I wasownedagain.

I suppose it would be different if Igavemyself to someone. If I was going to give myself to anyone…

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