Page 44 of Make You Mine

I’ll come for you.

For years, I lied to myself. I pushed him out of my mind and thanked God Lyle never tried to touch me again and took the rejection well, but the joke’s on me.This nightmare will never end. Realizing that this is a lost cause is a punch to the gut, and another sob catches in my throat, causing me to bite down hard on my bottom lip so Elijah doesn’t hear.

I’m screwed no matter which way I turn.

It’s why I’ve been hiding since we came back to his apartment. Avoiding. Trying to make amends with a puzzle fullof broken pieces that fit within its new perimeters. It’s not supposed to.

I’m not supposed to think past surviving, and yet, I do. Want to.

With Elijah, I have hope. Have a chance at something uniquely normal, and it’s scary because how can I think of wanting more when I don’t know what tomorrow will bring?

Will they take me from here too?

Will Lyle or Jason get to me?

Will Elijah want anything to do with me after this?

And yet, despite all those lingering questions, there’s a blooming force growing within that scares the bejeebers out of me. A woman running for her life shouldn’t be focusing on her handler. I shouldn’t like how good he smells or feels against me. How much and how often I think about what his kisses would be like, even if we’ve never moved past hugs.

Will I be alive to celebrate my birthday next month?A sobering thought.

My heart aches for all the families Lyle’s destroyed. For the lives taken because I didn’t speak up when I should have.

“Why did I ever listen to you, Rose?”

“Where the hell have you been?” I whisper harshly, wiping away a tear as I wait at the now-locked gate. The minute a hobbling Jason left, I ran out and closed it, standing watch and listening closely for any screams. I’ve sent her multiple text messages, called her phone, and was seconds away from yelling for my dad when she walked back over.

Alone and smiling. Blushing.

Chill. I’ll be right over. ~ Rosie

That’s all she sent me while I worried a hole in the grass. I didn’t snitch on her, and it’s all because of that single text.That, and the fact that I still don’t know how to process what happened.

Maybe it’s the shock. My anger and confusion.

The fear. Disgust.

“You’re being a Debbie Downer when I’ve just had the best night of my life, chick.”

“Are you kidding me right now? What you did was unsafe, Rose.” My heart’s still beating fast and my limbs are jittery—the area around my jaw is sore from Jason’s hold. “What were you thinking?”

“That he’s hot. That I like his attention.” She giggles, touching the right side of her neck with the tips of her fingers. “Don’t be mad, but I was busy enjoying myself. He’s so amazing, Ava, and?—”

“Jason forced himself on me,” I blurt out, choking back a sob. A harsh shudder runs down my spine; I feel dirty. Can still smell him. “He knocked me down and climbed on top of me. Pressed himself while covering my mouth with his hand and…I couldn’t scream.”

“Are you sure?” She’s still smiling, nudging my shoulder as if I’m joking with her. “It’s probably a huge misunderstanding. A dick move, yes, but I’m sure Jason’s just messing with you.”

“He tried to?—”

“No, he didn’t.” Rose grabs my hand then, her eyes pleading. “Don’t ruin this for me, please. Besides, he’s my future boyfriend’s best friend, and no one will believe you.”

“What the?—”

“Ava?” Elijah calls out, tapping gently on the bathroom door. “Are you okay?”

“I’m almost out.” Standing, my muscles protest from being in one position for a while. God knows how long, and as I rush to lather and rinse off using his shower gel, again, it hurts. Mylegs are half asleep, and I hold onto the small built-in alcove for balance. “Give me five minutes.”

“Take your time. I’m actually going to?—”

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