Page 120 of Aine

“I was hoping to run into you today,” she admits, her voice chipper as she pretends she didn’t just catch me eavesdropping on their conversation. “Jenna wants to know if you’d like to come over for dinner.”

The silence is uncomfortable as she pauses to gauge my reaction.

“Or she can come here. Whatever you’d be more comfortable with.” She clears her throat.

I grind my teeth as I think it over. I’d love to see Jenna, but I don’t have anything to say to her. It would be awkward.

“No.” Despite my nerves, my voice is firm. I’ve gotten good at saying that word these past few days.

“Are you sure? I think you—”

I cut her off. “No.”

Damien huffs and gestures for me to go inside. It’s an order I’m all too happy to follow.

“I told you she’s having a bad day. Try asking again in a few days,” he suggests, his voice low. “Don’t tell Jenna that Aine rejected the invitation. I don’t want her to feel too guilty about it later.”

Avia promises to keep it between us before excusing herself and leaving. I listen from behind the door as Damien makes his way back to the house. He avoids eye contact as he heads into the kitchen.

A painful mixture of his disappointment, confusion, and anger seeps into me, rendering me immobile as I watch him pour and down a large glass of water.

“What do you want?” he blurts out after refilling the cup.

His stare is intimidating as he waits for my answer, his shoulders hunched and eyes hard. My body feels hot under his gaze, the pressure of pushing him away making me sweat.

I gulp, forcing myself to bite the bullet and do what needs to be done. “Leave me.”

His glass clatters as he slams it on the counter. “No. I’m not going to do that.”

I struggle to maintain eye contact as he storms around the kitchen island and meets me in the doorway. My muscles are rigid as he cups my face between his palms.

“Go,” I repeat.

Damien chuckles, but it’s laced with pain.

“I’m not a dog. You can’t just shoo me away.” He bends his knees so we’re eye level, his face taut as he begs me through our bond to listen to him. “I’m not going anywhere, even when you’re being mean.”

My throat feels dry and my head begins to ache as I force myself to speak lies. He needs to leave. He may not realize it, but I’m doing this for him.

“It’s your fault he hurt me,” I spit at him. “I hate you.”

Damien recoils, his hands dropping from my face as if my words have physically hurt him. He opens his mouth to speak, to defend himself, but nothing comes out. My eyes water as I dig the knife in further.

“I will never love you.”

The pain that erupts from him has me struggling to breathe. I wish he’d shut off his emotions like before, blocking me out and keeping me at a distance. The Damien I first met would’ve left the moment I asked him to, all too excited to have an excuse not to be around me.

My voice is shaky as I continue.

“Leave. Please.”

I feel destroyed as Damien’s eyes grow glassy, unshed tears filling them as he stares at me in horror. I know how he feels. I feel it toward myself as well, but this must be done. I can’t let him stay by my side any longer.

He deserves happiness. Something I can’t give him.

“No, Aine,” he responds, the word absolute. “I am not leaving.”

His palms are sweaty as he cups my cheeks once more. Damien’s palms never feel sweaty.

---