Page 105 of Forever We Fall

“Sit the fuck down,” I bellow.

The group goes silent. Only the roar of the fire snaps.

Few are accustomed to hearing my voice. No one has heard it quite so loudly or so forcibly.

Phillip’s lips part to speak.

“Take a step in his direction or say one more fucking word and I’ll hit you so hard, you’ll piss your pants in front of everyone.” I speak softly and as clearly as my ravaged voice can. I don’t stand or even move. I let my gaze show the promise in my words.

His lips snap together, then open once more. No sound escapes.

He sits, his enlarged Adam’s apple bobbing.

The conversations pick back up slowly, while Phillip’s confidant lifts himself off the ground and scurries away. I leave my gaze on the idiot until his shoulders slump in defeat.

“Holy shit!” Kyle says next to me. “I didn’t know you had that in you.” He makes the grabby hands for the bottle that’s made its way back around.

“I hate bullies.” I roll my shoulders back and draw a deep breath.

“Thanks, man,” the kid who incited Phillip’s ire whispers.

I tilt my chin toward Hota. “Thank him.”

Hota’s gaze is molten lava on me. He looks like an apex predator starved and eyeing its next meal.

A shiver runs through me.

I can’t tell if he’s happy about my interference or mad, but I can sure as hell tell he’s ready to fuck.

Inhaling through my nose, exhaling through my mouth, and tugging my gaze away is the only thing that keeps my cock in check.

The party goes on. I don’t pay much attention to it, except when Kyle talks about his older brother’s business classes at Cambridge. It might sound nerdy, but I’m determined as hell to make my family’s fortune back.

Eventually, the crowd disperses, except for Hota and his group. It seems as though we’re waiting each other out, not willing to leave the other, no matter the distance between us.

At least, that’s my eternal spring flowing.

Kyle and Erin call it a night. Reluctantly, I go along.

Erin is talking about his video game collections, something I really couldn’t give a shit about, when we round the side of our dorm.

The blow comes out of nowhere.

It’s deafening, like thunder in my ears and lightning cracking my skull.

One second, I’m walking, and the next, I’m doubled over, scrambling for orientation.

None comes.

The world shifts as though it’s crashed into another planet.

My body shakes in revolt. I hit the ground, barely managing to stay on my hands and knees.

Trauma is a funny thing.

I know this is not like all the other times. Yet I’m back in that house. I’m back on that floor. I’m searching for air and a horizonthat refuses to come. I’m searching for a reason that doesn’t exist.

The second blow thuds against the back of my head. It’s loud as a gong. Still, I manage to stay on my hands and knees.

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