Page 10 of The Masks We Wear

His mouth drops open, and I have to stop myself from kissing it closed. Instead, I slip the key into his hand. “Just trust me.”

His face hardens, and his head falls back. “That was always my biggest problem.”

I swallow around the cotton suddenly caught in my throat. An odd combination of guilt and anger swirl in my chest, and I rub at the phantom pain. All I ever wanted was him. No. All I fucking wished for was to be wantedbyhim.

But he never did. Even after spending every day in the summers together, I was left to be forgotten the other ten months.

The rage in my gut bubbles, bile rising in the back of my throat. He doesn’t get to make me feel bad for what’s happened between us. This is his fault.

Two knocks on my door yank me from my thoughts, and Amora’s voice rings through the hallway, signaling it’s time.

Spencer’s hands pause, but he doesn’t release me. Instead, his dark eyes search mine. As if he wants me to stay. Here. With him. It’s a quick lapse in judgment, but my gaze lingers at his lips. I want to kiss and bite them off at the same damn time.

Don’t.

I clear my throat, forcing myself from his iron hold. “Let me get rid of her. Stay here. Please, Spencer.”

He hesitates but doesn’t argue and instead nods. A soft smile splits across his face, causing the dimples in his cheeks to deepen as he lets my hand slip from his.

It’s strange how bad I would rather ignore the knocks and just hash it out with him. Settle things once and for all and find out why I wasn’t enough. Or maybe just curl into him and let the worries of my life fizzle in his flames. And right now, it’s almost as if I can feel him pull toward me as much as I gravitate to him. Which both pisses me off and excites me beyond comprehension.

That’s impossible, though. Just like them, he never really cared. And now that I’m someone, his desire for me is only skin deep.

I stand, leaving the warmth of him, instantly wrapped in the cool air whirling around the room. Every step feels heavy, weighted under a bag of bricks. It’s as if my body knows that if I do this, that’s it. There is no going back.

He’ll hate me.

I look at him over my shoulder one last time, my heart stuttering at the beautiful sight laid out before me. For a second, I decide I won’t do it. Maybe things can be different, that he might feel something for me this time. But doubt—or perhaps reason, rears its head.

He’ll forget you, just like he has before. Your parents couldn’t love you. Why do you think he will?

The thought settles in my stomach, a pit of realization burning the fragment of hope to dust.

And at that, I open the door, just enough to slip out, leaving my heart in the room with him.

I don’t need it anymore.

FIVE

I’m ass naked, handcuffed to Liliana’s fucking bed.

Whatever dream I’m having, I need to wake up from it. My entire body both hums and burns with the after-effects of her touch. Everything hurts and feels euphoric at the same time. It’s a contradiction I no longer want to be a part of.

I pull against the cold metal, an attempt to feel anything other than the heat coursing through my veins. My free hand kneads at my chest, rubbing away the odd heavy sensation burrowing in.

Something isn’t right.

No.Nothingis right.

How could I be such a dumbass and end up like this? Hell, she wouldn’t even kiss me. If that’s not the biggest red flag, I don’t know what is. Not to mention, I’ve waited for this moment longer than I care to admit, and this… was too easy.

It sounded like my Liliana—felt like her. But when I looked at her, she was someone else, from those dumbass contacts to her stringy blonde hair. Even her normal light lavender smell was drowning in some expensive rose perfume.

I fucking hate the smell of roses, especially fake ones.

Muffled voices seep through the walls, and my eyes dart around the room for my clothes.

I need to leave. Now.

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