Page 23 of Tricky Girls

He folds his arms. ‘What?’

‘I’m just coming for my stuff.’

‘What stuff?’

So he’s going to be like that, is he? As if this wasn’t bloody hard enough.

‘Mystuff,Ryan. Don’t be a dick.’

‘Don’t know what you’re on about.’

‘Yes, you do! My DVD drive, my hairdryer, whatever else. Just give it back.’

‘I’m using it so you’ll have to come back.’

‘Absolutely not. It’s not yours to use anymore.’

He falls quiet, studying me in that disdainful way of his.Whydoes he have to be so bloody goodlooking? The draw’s still there, despite hating his guts. The draw that kept me with him even when I knew I was better off without.

‘You’ve still not apologised to her,’ he says.

‘What?’

‘To Tash. For assaulting her.’

I let out a scoff. ‘Really? You wantmeto apologise for you cheating on me with her?’

‘Didn’t have to resort to violence. That was fucked up, Tilda. She’ll have a scar for life. I know that’s your kind of thing, but it’s not hers. You’re lucky you’re not excluded for it.’

I shake my head. ‘No. You’re literally not turning me into the villain here. Just let me get my stuff!’

He pushes off the doorframe, still peering down his nose at me. Putting his face close to mine, he breathes out,‘No.’

Then the door shuts, his music turns up and I’m there trembling from the effort of trying not to sob.

Fuckingass.

I slam my door as hard as I can, damning the soft noise it makes. In the middle of my room, I flex out my hands, palms hot and clammy. My nails drag along the scratches on my thighs but I whip them away. I am not cutting over that asshole. He doesn’t deserve my blood.

Blowing out a trembling breath, I fall over my bed. God, that urge. It’s all-consuming. Like an addict needing their fix. Except my fix is pain, the floaty numbness that comes after it. It’s ecstasy…and always leaves me feeling shit once I’ve come down from the high.

Well, that went well,I tap out to Haz.

Haz: Are you being sarcy?

Me: Just a bit.

Haz: Prick. Want me to come over? I’ll get your shit back and then some.

No,I begin to reply then stop. My gaze drifts to the wall. Might not be the worst idea. Will get me out of my head. I could do with a dose of her irreverence. And it’s hair wash day tomorrow and Ireallyneed that dryer.

Me: Could if you want.

Haz: Be there in half an hour.

She’s glaring up at the rain when I answer the door, decked in only a pair of black trousers and a tight tank, those muscles of hers on full display. I linger on them a moment. They truly are impressive.

‘You look like you mean business.’

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