Page 12 of Did They Break You

But it’s Storm that catches me, his arms wrapped around my body.

For a moment, I can’t breathe.

It’s like time stands still.

I smell Storm’s leather scent, and I can practically feel the anger in his body, me so close to him.

“So scared,” he whispers, his breath on my ear. “So fucking brave, going to the cops then, and now…” His nose runs down the length of my jaw and a whimper leaves my mouth. “I think I could still eat you alive, Remi.”

“Let her go,” Cortland says.

For a second, he doesn’t, his mouth close to my own.

I close my eyes tight, fear wrapping like a vise grip around my heart.

“Storm.” Cortland’s voice is low.

After a second, Storm releases me, shoving me forward as my eyes fly open.

I stumble again before I right myself, trying to breathe.

Then I glance at my phone on the ground and have the sudden urge to sink to my knees, my head in my hands as they both leave me here.

I deserve this.

The same voice that’s haunted me since that night.

It’s all I’m good for.

I press the heel of my hands over my eyes, swallow the lump in my throat as I spin around on the sidewalk, chest heaving as I think about how their lives haven’t changed.

How he has the nerve to come here after what he did to me.

Stupid fucking skank should go ahead and off herself.

She ruined THEIR LIVES!!!

I ruined mine too.

I should’ve kept my fucking mouth shut, becauseI ruined mine too.

CHAPTER

THREE

REMI

My mind racesas I slam my locker door shut. I can’t remember if I made my bed this morning. I’d stayed up late reading, and when my alarm went off, I just meant to snooze it once.

But once became twice became three times and... Silas will be back today. At noon. Which means if I didn’t make my bed, he’ll see and?—

“Remi?”

I jump, startled, clutching my books to my chest as my face warms.

A pair of gray eyes and a soft smile are staring down at me.

And I do mean down.

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