Page 57 of Aftersome
“Because…” I drew out, hesitant to answer but continued anyway. “I think… I think you could use a friend. Even if it’s me.”
I waited for the denial. For a scoff. Anything that would refute me. But instead, I was sucked into his powerful stare until everything and everyone around us vanished.
“I think you need me,” I whispered,
Then just as powerful as he pulled me under his spell, he had spit me back out.
“I don’t need anyone.” He leaned in close, his eyes heated and nose flaring with fury. “And I don’t need you.”
Lies.
Every bit of what he responded with was a lie and he knew I knew it.
“Keep telling yourself that, because I’m not going anywhere.” I brought my face close to his. Our noses were almost touching. “I’m not leaving you.”
My confession rocked him.
It rocked us both.
Caught off guard and confused, his chest expanded on a heavy breath. So heavy that I had felt it brush past my face.
“We’ll see,” he grumbled before pulling away.
Sighing, I let my head drop back.
It was going to be a long flight.
20
MAL
Mal
I’m not leaving you.
Doe’s words replayed in my head all fucking night. Her voice, her tone, it was embedded into my brain and now my memory until the end of time. I couldn’t concentrate. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t get my head in the game. I was pissed off and confused all at the same time and it was all because of a pink-haired angel who was ruining my life.
She wasn’t just fucking with my head now, she was fucking with everything.
My career.
My sanity.
I could barely focus on playing because I was too busy worrying about what she was doing and where the hell she was. Every chance I had, I sought her out in the stands but never could find her.
It was beginning to tick me off.
We were down two goals and just when I thought we had a chance of catching up, I’d fuck something up. I had Vince onmy ass all night along with Coach, and for once I didn’t feel like playing.
“You need out?” Vince muffled through his mouth guard at me, but I shook my head on a growl. “Then get your head in the fucking game.”
Every instinct in me wanted to argue, but I held back.
Instead, I threw myself back into the game, more determined now to rid my brain of any thoughts related to Doe. And it seemed to be working for a little while.
With the puck back in our position, I pushed myself down the length of the rink and when I lifted my head, I saw pink.
I saw her.
