Page 201 of Did They Break You

“There was nothing but worthless shit in there anyway, Remi. The university will reimburse you.” His voice fades from my ears as I think about my assignment. My new computer from Sloane. Everything was in there, because I didn’t bring anything.

Because I was going to drive four hours back to get away from my stepdad.

So why am I here?

“I’ve got to go.” I cut him off.

He reaches for me, his fingers circling my arm much like they did the morning after everything.

Crystal hisses his name.

Yes,I think wryly,this is the man you’re dating. The real one.

Silas jerks me toward him. “When did you get your tongue pierced?” he snarls.

I actually laugh, sticking out my tongue in his face as I do. He lets go of me, recoiling as if I’m a snake. “Fuck you.” I turn to go, my heart racing, knowing there’s no coming back from this, but I don’t care.

“Don’t you dare walk out of here. I’ll get your car. I’ll turn off your phone. I will no longer pay for your housing and?—”

“You don’t pay for it,” I call back over my shoulder as I get to the threshold of the dining room. “I did that.” I turn to face him,narrowing my eyes. “My grades. My applications.I did that.”I smile at him as he looks stunned, his face turning a deeper shade of red with every second that passes. “You put the car in my name, so I’d pay for the insurance, remember? I did that, too. Go fuck yourself, Silas.” I look to Crystal, hold up the arm he grabbed. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get the hell out while you still can.”

It doesn’t feel quite as good as lighting a match and watching him burn to ash as I toss it over my shoulder, but it’s a close second.

CHAPTER

FIFTY-FOUR

REMI

I call Sloane again.

And again.

And again.

She isn’t sending my calls to voicemail, because they ring all the way through, but she’s definitely not answering me, either.

I know she’s with Asa. She said she was staying there all weekend. But I never really met Asa.What if Asa is a serial killer? A Ted Bundy psychopath who’s already mutilated her?

My heart races as I dial her number again on my steering wheel.

And finally, on the third ring, she answers.

“What the hell, Rems?” She sounds breathless and as I race down the highway, I realize I probably interrupted her and not-Ted Bundy having sex. Fuck.

“Sloane, thank God,” I say anyway. “Where are you?” I glance in my rear-view mirror and switch lanes, passing a car going way too slow in the fast lane.

“I’m with Asa, like I told you I’d be.” I hear the note of irritation in her words and know we have a lot of talking to do.But her next question is edged with concern. “Where are you? What’s going on?”

I hear what sounds like a bed squeaking, like maybe she’s getting off of it.

I get back over into the fast lane. “Our dorm is on fire,” I tell her.

There’s a moment of silence, then she says, “What the fuck. Are you in it?”

Despite everything, I smile at that, shaking my head as I keep my eyes on the road. “Yes. I’m watching it burn down around me right now,” I deadpan.

There’s a moment of silence, then she bursts into laughter. It feels good, hearing her laugh. “Seriously, where are you? How do you know? Did the school call you?”

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