Page 76 of The Catalyst

Pause.

Stop.

Stop…

I’m going… to fucking…snap.

“Just fuckingshut up!” I’m ready to rip my hair out. I can’t even fucking breathe. It’s all too much. “You don’t have any room to judge me for anything I’ve said or done. I’m not the one who hooked up with the person Nigel hates more than anyone. That was you, princess.”

Finally, everything goes quiet and I slowly open my eyes that I didn’t realize I had closed. Nobody moves, not even Beth as I look down at her.

She doesn’t look sad or hurt or anything at all. Her walls have been thrown back up, walls I haven’t seen even a glimpse of since before I first touched her, walls I wish would go away so I could see what she’s thinking.

I don’t regret much in my life. I can think of only ever doing two things I regret…until now. I shouldn’t have said that. I threw something in her face that she told me in confidence, something I promised her I wouldn’t tell Nigel about.

Good thing he isn't here, though.

“What the hell is going on!” We all look at the end of the hall to see Nigel standing there, dropping his duffle bag on the floor. He looks beyond pissed.

I feel the color drain from my face when I realized he must’ve heard what I just said.

Oh, fuck.

Did I just not only betray her trust but also put her in fucking danger?

Beth’s head snaps around to see him there before she turns back to look at me. The look she gives me…if I had a heart, it would be breaking for her,withher.

I don’t make promises to people and I made that one to her…and I just fucking broke it. That was the most important promise I could make to her, especially with the information I have about hers and Nigel’s relationship.

“You gave me your word,” her voice cracks, betrayal, heartache, and undilated despair dripping into every syllable. “That’s what I get for trusting an unfeeling beast. I guess you really are a psychopath, Oliver.”

What does she mean by that? I’ve explained to her that I was diagnosed. What part of that was unclear?

“Beth,” I grit out her name while she turns away, but she doesn’t look at me again. She runs down the hall and dodges Nigel before darting up the stairs.

It’s not what she thinks.

I don’t think she’s easy.

I didn’t know Nigel was back or that he could hear me.

I didn’t mean for that bit about Martin to come out.

I can’t handle the stress or the external chaos they shoved me into. It wasn’t intentional.

Before Nigel has the chance to follow after her, I dash over and grab his arm, pulling him to a stop. “Remember what I told you,” I say, a growl on the tip of my tongue.

I swear, if he hurts her again, I won’t be able to control myself. I very well might kill him.

His eyes narrow at me. “You don’t have to remind me. I’m not going to hurt her. I wouldneverhurt her on purpose.”

Wrong. You have.

“I’ll talk to you later.” He rips his arm from my hold and storms up the stairs before I head back for the hall. I try to go to my room, but Charlie blocks the door with his arm. I swear, if this fucker doesn’t get out of my way, I will splatter his brains all over the wall.

Ronan and Oisin leave quickly, but the dumb-as-a-bag-of-bricks fuckhead is stubborn.

“Move,” I hiss at him, at wits end with his bullshit.

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