Page 75 of The Game

“Part of the reason. It’s peaceful here. No one ever wants to venture where society tells us there is evil lurking. I don’t think there’s any evil here, just sorrow…but it’s beautiful all the same.”

“We’re in good company.”

He snorts again.

“Here? Always.”

It’s quiet for some time before he speaks again, not one to shy away from the tough questions.

“How’s it been being back? Your pal Tristan’s threatened me three times already today.”

This makes me pull away, sitting straighter to stare into his teal eyes, his angular face flushed and so full of life it makes my heart ache in sorrow and joy to see it. Giving a petulant shrug in response, he cocks his brow at me, and I simmer down, always bowing to his authority whether I realize it or not.

“It’s been…tough. Not the same at all. They treat me like I’m some fragile doll, and yeah, Tristan hates your guts. Jameson is just fucking sad and being all gentle and I hate it.”

His jaw shifts as he gazes into my eyes, full lips twitching as he fights a smile. Reaching up, his nimble fingers dust a few stray hairs from my forehead.

“You owe them a chance, Alice. They were willing to die for you. I always wondered why you wanted them back so badly…but I see it, now. I’ve never witnessed such a selfless love before.”

His words strike my veins in their truth and beauty, and shame claws its way up my throat as I drop my eyes to the skeletal hand tattoos that encircle his neck.

“I think we just all want things to be the same, and they never will be, and Tristan is mad at me for sleeping with you, and Jameson doesn’t know how to handle both of us. He used to be the one to kind of lead the charge, I guess.”

Teddy nods softly.

“Tell them, then. Be honest. Life will always change you no matter what. This was just a lot all in a short span of time.”

His words make sense and it’s easy for him to suggest that, but he doesn’t understand how difficult it is for me to share my thoughts with people. His warm palms cup my cheeks, forcing my eyes back to his, his face open, expectant.

“I know you suck at it. You know your one way back to them. Why don’t you use it?”

My body jolts as if struck by lightning; of course the thought of sleeping with them has crossed my mind, but guilt always follows shortly after.

“Because I’ve never been able to ask for that,” I whisper. “And because I feel guilty.”

His thumbs swipe across my cheekbones as he smiles.

“What we had was what we needed to get us through. Never feel guilty, Alice. You gave me hope and helped get me out of the most fucked up situation, and—”

“You gave me hope,” I say softly, cutting him off. “Hope and a child and…and a version of myself that I actually like.”

His grin is biting and quick to form.

“You do look better in black, my little fighter.”

It’s my turn to snort before I sink down and wrap my arms around him again, resting my head under his chin, listening to the thump of his strong heart.

“No one can take that from us, Alice. You realize that, right?”

I nod.

“Then don’t be afraid anymore. Take what you need from them, because I guarantee they need it, too.”

“And where does that leave us?” I whisper, apprehensive for his answer. I feel like I am going to lose him, and I know I cannot have both, but dammit, I want it.

“I’m always here for you, bunny. You could leave today and not speak to me for twenty years, and the moment you called, I’d be there. You know that.”

Swallowing thickly, I nod against his heart, sealing myself off from the ache growing in my chest. But when he speaks again, his words are as comforting as they are chilling.

---