Page 52 of Wreckage

Finally, I swallowed hard, my Adam’s apple bobbing, and admitted, “Because I like it.”

Adrian stared at me, his eyes narrowing.

I exhaled slowly. “I like it when she’s near me. I like her needing me.”

Adrian’s expression shifted, something unreadable flashing in his eyes before he asked, voice low, “Do you feel that way with Amanda?”

The mention of her name sent a sharp, uncomfortable pang through my chest. I knew the answer before I even had to say it.

“No,” I whispered.

I had never felt like this before.

Not with Amanda.

Not with anyone.

Silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken things.

I looked at Adrian, remorse twisting inside me. Guilt. Sadness. There were so many emotions, and I wasn’t sure how to sort them.

He sighed and looked away, his jaw tightening before finally whispering, “I feel something, too.”

His voice was bitter. Defeated.

I hated it. I hated seeing him like this—seeing him struggling with the same feelings that were wrecking me.

I was quiet for a long time before finally saying, “Maybe we should do something about it.”

Adrian’s head snapped toward me, his eyes wide with shock.

“What?” he hissed.

I shrugged, glancing down at Elena’s sleeping form, fondness creeping into my chest despite everything.

“I know it sounds crazy,” I admitted. “But if this is it, if this is all we have left, maybe she will feel the same.”

Adrian was quiet.

Then, slowly, his lips twisted into a scowl. “And what if she tells us to get bent? It’ll make for an uncomfortable time.”

I smirked, glancing at him. “Then we’ll have an uncomfortable stay in close quarters. At least, I can say I tried. Same for you if you go for it.”

Adrian stared at me for a long moment before finally exhaling and looking down at her.

His expression softened, and something painful slipped into his features. He stared for a long time as if committing every detail to memory.

Then, finally, he sighed.

“Good night,” he muttered, closing his eyes.

I watched him for a while before turning back to Elena, my mind spinning.

Was this the right thing to do?

Or were we just making things worse?

I woketo the feeling of movement against my chest.

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