Page 73 of Paper Thin Love

I crave her help, even if I don't need it. Relish each time she bows down before me to cover my cast so tenderly before I shower.

Hissing all my fury into my words, I add,“You are only alive because you’re her partner. She is your lifeline. Tug on that thread, and I’ll cut it loose.”

“You wouldn’t hurt her.” He chokes as he grips the crutch. He’s smart enough not to try to shove me off.

My lip tugs up.“Wouldn’t I?” I challenge him.“You found my Achilles heel, Jared, but guess what? I found yours. The only difference is I’m not scared to cut it.”

His eyes burn, judging me until his fingers surrender.“She left campus.”

“What do you mean, she left?” I shove the crutch deeper. He begins to cough, desperate for his next breath.

He taps the side and I loosen it.“With some guy. I don’t know his name. They hang out when she’s upset.”

She’s not alone. That’s good. I don’t trust her to be alone with her darkness. She hasn’t learned to control it yet.

“I need a name?” I seethe.Who the fuck did she leave school with?

“I don’t know!” He tries to shake me off.“He’s a friend. He’s just a friend.”

“How the fuck do you know that?”

He begins to smile.“Because she’d hang out with him when we used to hook up, and I trusted her not to fuck him.” He spits like he just stole something right out from under my nose.

I snort a laugh. He’s good. I shift the crutch up and smash it into his nose. He rolls over bleeding, but is smart enough not to cry out his pain. Students here are attracted to those sounds.

***

Mila still isn’t back. Just a friend, my ass.

It shouldn’t bother me. I hate that it does.

I lean against my bed, grasping my phone. I don’t understand what’s happening to me. My heart feels itchy, and no matter how cruel I am, the need to scratch it doesn’t go away.

I try to call Titan again. Damian’s phone rings to no avail, and I know if I keep calling his prick of a father, my uncle, will only relish in the power he’s holding over Damian’s head.

A deep sigh fills the line.“Dash.” Lucas, my uncle, grunts.“Please stop trying to call Titan. He won’t be available for a while.”

“Why?”

Pause.“He’s away.”

“Did you kill him?” In all seriousness, my question is honest. It feels like our fathers, the infamous King brothers, have been trying to kill us for years.

“Not yet,” Uncle Lucas chuckles.“He’s my son. Everything we do is to make sure you boys are safe.”

Utter bullshit.

“Where is Damian?”

Silence. Even Uncle Lucas can’t defend how Damian’s dad treats him.“He’s fine, too. You need to focus on your recovery. You’ll see your cousins soon.” He mutters.

Soon. It’s a secret meant to quell my pestering, but it only does the opposite.

“Is there another reason why you call five times a day?”

Yes, but I can’t ask you…or can I?

“Who is Titan’s mom?”

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