Page 95 of Diem

“Yes.”

Searching his gaze, I exhale quietly, and touch his arm. “Thanks.”

His brow twitches and he pulls away. Stung, I turn back to the windshield. “What are we doing here anyway?”

“Well, if you’re gonna stake out his place, I might as well keep you company.”

I sink in my seat at his devilish grin, and he flips on the radio.

Strangely, sitting here with Diem is one of the most peaceful things I’ve ever done with the mercurial guy, and I find that I’m sad when he finally puts the vehicle in gear, and we go.

∞∞∞

After a quiet ride home, Diem says, “Whatever happened to Dixie, let it go.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to mention the interlude in the woods and the rabbit’s foot but the porch light flips on and I turn away. I have a lot to think about. Maybe once I’ve processed everything, I’ll tell him. I don’t know.

Besides, now that I’m home, my dad’s decree is ringing in my ears. I’m in for it now. Still, I don’t regret it. This time with Diem was the balm I needed. Hopefully, it will keep me sane when the waves become rocky once more.

“Goodnight,” I say, and he grunts, watching until I unlock the door.

Once inside, I jump out of my skin to find my dad lurking. He says coolly, “I thought I told you to stay away from him.”

“I—“

“You directly defied an order. You should be in your room, studying. Not out with him.” His emerald eyes, so like my own glitter with an emotion I can’t define.

With a shiver, I nod and move to walk past him, but he steps into my path. “No more,” he says.

Frozen, I stare at his chest. What happened to the dad I adored? Because despite Diem’s assertion that he isn’t a killer, right now, while he looms over me with a weird ass scowl, I’m doubting Diem knows what the hell he’s talking about.

“Maeve?”

“Matt?” I whisper, peeking around my dad. “What are you doing here?”

“Maeve, take Matt into the living room,” Dad says stiffly before walking down the hall.

Although glad for the reprieve, I’m left reeling and when I meet Matt’s gaze, the façade I pulled up to hide my dread drops to an icy ball. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think Dad and Matt are in cahoots because the forbidding scowl painting his features could be a dead ringer for my dad’s feral distaste.

“Matt—“

“You just can’t stay away from him, can you?” he mutters.

My stomach writhes and averting my gaze, I say softly, “I’m sorry.”

“Oh yeah? What about? Giving yourself to that dick like a whore?”

“What did you…” I say before my hand is flying toward his face.

He turns his head, immune to my assault but eyes me coolly before saying, “Don’t come running to me when he treats you like trash.”

I don’t know what to say in the face of his cruelty and nod stiffly, stepping aside as he wrenches open the door. My heart hurts for his pain but it aches for mine too. He was needlessly cruel, and I don’t know how to process it.

This isn’t Matt. Then again, what do I know? I never would’ve thought my dad would be so cruel either, not to mention Diem…

Once I’m in my room, I sit on the bed and rub my brow.

Why does it feel like my world is about to implode?

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