Page 35 of Say You're Mine

Gabby:It’s going around.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. This is going to be everywhere. My stomach turns. It was a little queasy earlier, but this ordeal has made it ten times worse. I no longer have to worry if bringing my drama to Eros’s doorstep is going to ruin his reputation. The incident is plastered all over social media, letting me know that I’ve allowed my family to hurt the person I love.

“I think I’m going to throw up.” I rush toward the bathroom.

“Lev!” I hear shouted after me. I make it to the toilet but only dry-heave.

“Darling.” I feel Eros's hand on my back. His other is pulling my hair back.

“I don’t think anything is coming out,” I say, standing.

“That’s because you didn’t eat your lunch. You pushed it around the plate,” Polly half-scolds with her hands on her hips. I notice the two police officers standing behind his parents. They followed Eros in here.

“Are you being arrested?” I look up at Eros.

“I don’t know,” he answers. “Right now I’m just detained.” I nod. When we walk out of the bathroom, I see that my parents and the Caldwell brothers are gone. The two officers who had previously spoken to my parents are now in conversation with Kate and the woman who had arrived.

“Where did my parents go?” I cringe calling them that. I’ll never speak to them again after this.

“The hospital,” one of the cops answers. I spin around to face Eros. “Did you know that a video has already been released? Gabby sent it to me.”

“I don’t give a shit,” Eros says calmly. I reach up and touch his face.

“I’m so sorry.”

“There is nothing to apologize for, darling.” Fuck, it hurts when he calls me that. Those damn tears sting even more, but I must remain strong. It’s the only way to survive. I learned that long ago. To school my expression and turn everything off the best I can. At least to appear that way.

“Can we have a second?” I ask. Everyone is hovering.

“Sorry, miss. He’s detained.”

“Knock it off. He’s not going anywhere,” the woman in the fancy suit snaps at the officers. “My client can have a moment alone,” she challenges them. “Or do I need to make another call?”

“Fine.”

“All right.” Both officers respond simultaneously, taking a step back. So does everyone else.

“I should go,” I tell Eros the second we are alone.

“You’re not going anywhere.” The calmness that Eros had moments ago vanishes in an instant. “Don’t try me.”

I want to tell him this is for the best. To save him from more bullshit. My bullshit. Eros is a good man, and he deserves a partner that can give him everything he needs.

Not the poor girl with a shitty attitude and shittier parents that want to suck him dry. Hell, if they think we’re not together anymore, they might leave him alone. I should have known this was going to happen.

Whenever I get any good, there is much more bad to follow. It’s been the story of my life.

“You punched my father.” I make sure my face remains emotionless. It’s one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I want to throw my arms around him and thank him, but I don’t. It’s the first time in my life that anyone has ever stood up to that man for me. There are no words that can describe how I’m feeling, and there is no way I can allow any of that to show. I remind myself that I need to not be selfish. That I need to do this to protect Eros.

“He’s fucking lucky that is all I did.” Eros is gritting his teeth. “I’m far from done with him.”

“Well, I’m done with you.” I take a step back from him, but Eros’s hands grab my hips, pulling me back into him.

“Too bad because I’ll never be done with you, Lev.” He leans down close. “Ever.” Something dark flashes across his eyes. I have turned him into a different man. He’s supposed to be good, and I’m ruining him. I won’t do that to him. I can’t. He has to let me go for his own good. Even as I think the words, my heart is shattering into a million pieces.

“I’m asking you.” His fingers on my hips flex. “You said all I had to do was ask,” I remind him.

“Lev, don’t do this to me,” Eros pleads. I want to press my lips to his so badly and never let go.

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