Page 272 of Blood & Betrayals

“You disapprove?”

“It’s not my relationship.” I flinch, and Alice curses. “That was harsher than I meant it to sound.”

“I have to go. My battery is dying. I’ll be home soon.”

Ending the call, I drop onto the closest bench. I can see the dorm in the distance, but I need a second. The guilt of not telling Connor is weighing on me, but I genuinely do want to protect him from this.

A gentle breeze ruffles my hair, its warmth telling me it is unnatural. I close my eyes and let out a weary sigh.

“I thought I was to return to my lies and not think of you,” I whisper.

His fingers brush a lock of hair behind my ear, and I bat it away. “I can’t seem to stay away,” he says, and I shiver as his voice caresses my ear.

“Why?” I ask and open my eyes, looking straight ahead. When he doesn’t reply, I continue. “You were gone for weeks. It can’t have been that difficult.”

The bench creaks a little as he sits down next to me. “I wasn’t gone.”

I look down at my legs, goosebumps covering my bare skin.

“I wasn’t even gone for a day. I was always close.”

I rub my thighs, trying to warm them. “I’m sorry for crossing a line.”

He is quiet for a long moment but finally says, “I crossed it first. If there ever was one.”

I shake my head. “It was me.”

“Did you feel it?” he asks. “The tug?”

I frown, glancing at him. “What tug?”

“The one between us. Pulling us together.”

“Describe it.” Do I really want him to? Do I want to put a name to the bond we seem to have?

He moves one of his hands to his chest and rubs absentmindedly. “Like a pull around your spine, each step away was like you were taking a piece of me with you.”

I look away again, staring into the darkness. “I already told you I enjoy… spending time with you. You understand me. But then you left, and I?—”

“I know. The thought of you pulling away was…” He trails off, and I don’t need him to finish.

“Your voice caught me off guard,” I say, the honesty spilling from me.

He laughs, the sound filled with sadness. “Most people become alarmed by it.”

“I like it,” I say, digging my nails into my thighs.

“Many people have told me it features in their nightmares,” he says.

“It’s never featured in my nightmares, but occasionally in my dreams.” I feel my cheeks heat.

“I–I enjoyed talking to you.”

Surprised, I whip my head around to look at him. “You did?”

He nods. “Your voice is very comforting to me. It helps me relax. My brain constantly whirls otherwise.”

“You can hear my voice now, though, right? It’s not like distorted?” I ask, honestly curious.

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