Page 77 of Bleed for Me

“I never said I did,” she snapped, her throat bobbing as she swallowed. “I was just curious.”

I gave her a skeptical look. That was bullshit and we both knew it. I saw what it did to Jordan. His eyes would glaze over and sometimes, he’d become a different person. Not like a split personality, or anything like that. Though, it was similar. When he gave into the voices, it would show on his face. His features would harden, his eyes would darken, and he’d get this determined look on his face. He refused to take his medication and that made it even worse for him and for those around him. He might have been my friend, but if the voices told him to kill me, he just might.

“You should tell Dr. Blake,” I suggested, shifting uncomfortably. “They’ll eventually take over your mind if you don’t take meds for it.”

“They?”

“The voices. It happens to Jordan a lot. It’s kind of terrifying to witness.”

She rolled her eyes. “What voices?”

I snorted in response. Whatever. If she wanted to play that game, fuck it. She obviously had no intention of telling anyone—that included Dr. Blake, even though he’d be able to help. Dr. Blake was one of the good ones here. He genuinely wanted to help out. Gloria was like that, too. But I bet if I whipped out my dick and told her to suck it, she’d drop right down to her knees. She was new and ‘by the book,’ but that didn’t mean she didn’t get dirty from time to time. There was only one way to find out.

Rosalie stared at me for a long moment. “What are you thinking about?” she asked with reluctance, like she wasn’t even sure she wanted to know.

I could lie, but where was the fun in that? Plus, I’d never been one to hide from confrontation before. A hot girl wouldn’t change that. “I’m wondering if Gloria would suck my dick if I asked.” I grinned.

Rosalie scowled, a flicker of something flashing through her eyes, but it was gone before I could decipher it. I probably wasn’t winning any brownie points with her, but she blatantly said she hated me, and she acted like she didn’t even want me around. That was fine. I’d make Seven and Jordan pass her back and forth. Not because I didn’t want anything to do with her, but because the longer I chased her around and forced my interest on her, the less likely she was to come to terms with her own feelings.

At dinner, I sat with the guys and left Rosalie with her friends. She’s been nothing but a bitch since I forced my way into her room. Seven was still avoiding me like the plague, and Jordan was busy sketching. I glared down at my chicken fried steak like it had somehow offended me. This entire day was shit.

Life was much easier before I’d come to the asylum. I was never much for sports, but I did enjoy nature. I’d often walk through the woods that led to Kaydence’s house, not knowing she just lived through the trees over there until I followed her that one day. I’d sit on the ground with my back against a tree, using my pocket-knife to sharpen sticks. It wasn’t actuallymyknife; it was my father’s, but he had a collection of them and wasn’t likely to notice if one was missing.

When I was six, Mom put me in Boy Scouts. That’s probably where I first grew a thirst for being out in nature. We were taught how to tie knots with rope, how to start fires with sticksalone, and how to sharpen them even for weapons or hunting. I learned what berries were poisonous along with what kind of creatures were. It was good knowledge to have, even if I wasn’t all that interested in learning about it at the time.

Seven cleared his throat, his eyes cutting to me. His jaw was coiled tight with tension like he couldn’t stand the sight of me. I knew he was just pissed off, but it still sent a pang shooting through my chest regardless. “I’m surprised you aren’t over there with your little whore,” he bit out. “Get bored of her already?”

I scoffed, shaking my head. “Considering that the only dick she’s been on is yours, wouldn’t that make heryourwhore?”

Jordan glanced between us before returning back to his drawing. He was probably sick of our constant bickering. I couldn’t say I blamed him.

Seven thought about that for a moment, the wheels turning in his head, before a smile stretched across his face. It wasn’t a happy one. More of a malicious one that sent chills careening down my spine. “You know what, you’re right. Since she’smywhore, I don’t really appreciate you chasing after her like a bitch in heat. I’m not really into sharing.”

Annoyance flickered through me. His attitude was cutting through the last bit of patience I had. This was obviously a problem, so I’d make it simple for him. “Fine,” I growled, my hands clamping onto the edge of the table. “Then she’s yours. It isn’t worth this bullshit.”

Why would I ruin my relationship with Seven over a girl who didn’t even want me? I might have been impulsive, but I wasn’t an idiot. This wasn’t a fucking fairytale.

“Archer,” Jordan began. “Don’t say shit you don’t mean.”

“I mean it. If he wants her so damn badly, he can have her. If I’d known what a jealous asshole he was, I never would have fucked him to begin with.” The words tumbled out of my mouthbefore I could stop them, but it was how I felt. Luckily, no one else was around to hear what I’d said, otherwise, we’d both be in deep shit.

They were both looking at me. Seven was sporting an expression of disbelief and hurt, while Jordan’s expression was shock. I didn’t give a single fuck if I hurt Seven’s feelings, though.

I rose and stormed out of the cafeteria. Rosalie was their problem now. I didn’t stop walking until I was outside, and bushes and flowers surrounded me.

My heart was racing with adrenaline, frustration trickling through my veins. I was done fighting with him. I was done with him and done with her. He didn’t even fucking want her, that was the fucked-up part. He just saw an opportunity to piss me off and took it.

Rounding the underbrush, I dropped into the cemented bench in front of the water fountain. The sun was just beginning to set, giving the sky a pink hue overhead. The water rippled behind me, and I closed my eyes, focusing on the calming sound instead of my racing thoughts. I always thought they were stupid for having a water fountain here. It would be so easy to drown someone. It was shallow, but if someone was held beneath the water…bye bye.

As much as I hated Seven right now, I’d never think about killing him. There was a part of me that would always care about the stupid asshole, but I just couldn’t do it anymore. His appeal was that he’d been fun, easygoing, and there was never any drama. Then when things turned sexual, that just enhanced how I felt about him. He revealed his true colors now, though.

TWENTY-ONE

ROSALIE

Iwatched Archer storm out of the cafeteria, his hands balled at his sides, and his jaw tight with anger. He didn’t even bother to look my way. Nervous energy prickled through me as I tore my gaze from the door he’d just vacated and directed my attention at Jordan and Seven instead.

Seven’s gaze captured mine, a look of pure fury flashing through his eyes. My heart started beating faster and I glanced away, trying to figure out what the hell happened to have them all so pissed like that.

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