Page 222 of Breaking the Rules

---

"I did."

"Did not."

"Did too."

He shoots me a look.

Oh. "You trying to trick me." I push him playfully. "Asshole."

He nodsyeah. "Is there rhyme or reason to it?"

"I guess it's whatever I felt at the moment. The lyrics that captured my mood. Or a drawing. It's a collage of the last year."

"Huh."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Something." It's in his eyes. He's thinking something.

"The desk at your apartment?"

I nod. "Yeah, I decorated the one at home back in high school. What's the difference?" They're both white desks covered in various shades of marker.

"There's a vibe to that desk," he says. "Maybe 'cause it was the only decoration in your room."

"Oh."

"It seemed hurt. Angry."

"No. I just…"

"You've been hurt."

"By you."

"Yeah." He stares into my eyes. "I'm sorry."

"I…" Uh… "Thank you."

"If there's anything you want to talk about—"

"Not right now." Eventually, yeah. But not with this wall between us. Not with him trying so hard to resist me. "But thanks."

He nodssure.

I move into the hallway. The main room. The kitchen.

Hunter follows a few paces behind.

It stays in the air.

The possibility of telling him.

Of easing the burden on my shoulders.

Of finding some understanding.

---