Page 184 of Taeja

I don’t love you.

Were four words supposed to hurt this way?

Taeja grabbed a handful of her shirt as they sat in the vehicle. She rubbed her chest, but the stinging pain wouldn’t leave. Damon pulled her onto his lap. She didn’t hesitate to bury her face in the crook of his neck while he wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Did something happen at the house?” he asked, trying to mask the anger in his tone.

She sniffled and nodded.

“Really?” Damon asked, shocked. “Where was Zain?” he asked, and she tensed. There was more anger in his tone when he said, “Zain did something to you?”

Taeja didn’t respond, but that was enough of an answer for Damon.

“Stay here. I’m goingto—”

“No.” Taeja held him tighter. “Don’t fight your brother for me.”

“I’ll fight anyone for you. Especially Zain. You’re our girl. He’s not supposed to hurt you.”

Her lips trembled, and she closed her eyes tightly. Tears pushed past her eyelids, rushing down her cheeks. “He didn’t hurt me how you’re thinking.”

“What did he do?”

“He said he doesn’t love me,” she whispered, realizing how silly she must’ve sounded. “Sorry. I’m being stupid.” She pulled away to dry her face with her hands. “Him nafi love mi if him doh want to.”

Damon was speechless as he watched her, then he burst out laughing.

Taeja glared. “I’m heartbroken and you’re laughing?!”

Her tone sobered him up, but a glint remained in his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

Taeja hissed her teeth and crawled off him. She crossed her arms and looked through the tinted window, seeing nothing except the silhouettes of trees and shrubs. “No, it’s fine. Laugh. You probably don’t love me, eith—”

“Taeja,” Damon interrupted, all traces of joking gone. “I love you with everything I have in me, so don’t go there.”

She sighed, wiping away a tear that rolled down her cheek. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I… thought we had a good thing going, and I wanted to make him feel better. I’ve always loved him, but I was scared to tell him because of how he acts most times, and this just…”

Damon sighed and widened his arms. “Come here.”

Taeja scooted into his hold, laying her head on his shoulder. He kissed atop her head, but her heart didn’t somersault like it usually would. She wasn’t even feeling those sweet tingles. Her entire being was thrown off.

“Zain’s complicated,” Damon said. “Growing up, he wasn’t used to hearing certain words of affection or praise, so he’s not very good with words. He shows it in his actions. Does he make you feel loved?”

“He does, but—”

“No buts. Yes or no?”

She sighed. “Yes.”

“Then hang on to that. You know he’s been grumpy since he got here. Maybehe took it out on you.”

“How’s that fair?”

“I never said it was.” Damon pulled away. “I’m going to see if I can find him, and you two are going to sit in here and talk, okay?”

“Mi nuh waa talk to him. If him come in here, me a mek Wayne beat him fimi.”

“That’s your anger talking,” Damon said. “None of us have ever gone to bed angry before and we’re not starting now. Please talk to him. For me?”

---