Page 87 of The Breaking Pointe
“For a while? This is still happening? Noelle, he can’t—” Hestartstoraisehisvoicebutcontrolshimselfinaninstant.
NowIcan’tresistlookinghimintheeye.
“That’s what the meetings are for.They’re domestic violence meetings.”
His jaw seemingly tightens further, as if that’s possible. “Peoplewhobehavelikethathavenoplacefortheir
anger. Instead, it’s misplaced and used to take out on others. Believe me, I know—my dad was the same way, but with my mom,” he blurts, hurrying to find a common ground in our experiences.An anger is brewing inside him, and it’s showing.I’m waiting for him to bite back.But it dawns on me: he’s Colton.Not Daniel Aguado.There is no bite. No animosity. Just accountability. Usually, this is the part where I brace myself and wait for the blow.But, this time, it’s not gonna happen.
Thefrustrationisn’tbecauseofme.
And even if it was, he would never physically take out his frustrations on me.
“Look, you’re obviously not like him.I think.So it’s okay—I mean, it’s nice to be…heard.” I nod slowly, ensuring he knows that I don’t view him in that light.
“No, I’m not like him.That’s one billion percent true, and something I’m proud of. Still, none of that shit is okay. That behavior is despicably unwarranted.No amount of anything in this world can wager the reasoning behind harming any precious being, let alone someone you’re supposed to love and care for,” he tells me, hesitantly reaching for my hand, lockingourfingers.Idon’tthinkit’strueanymore.It’sthe
flat-out truth of the matter; Colton Kennedy is as soft and sweet as I hoped he would be.
“In that case, I hope there isn’t an amount that can convince you to get sick of me and my past relationship?” I fake a smile, working to lighten the tone.
“If having you around me meant that my wealth was going to deplete, then so be it. I’d still be rich. Wealthiness comes from within. Being rich is a mindset before it’s a lifestyle,” he says, pulling my arm so that my body stumbles into his, wrapping his big, warm body around my frame.
He kisses my head, then his hands slip onto my cheeks, cupping them to look at me.
“Is this supposed to be some kind of fate thing?” I ask. “I didn’t always believe in fate.I’m still not sure how I feel
about it, but I know it exists.”He shakes his head briefly.“Since I’m unsure of that, I’ll tell you what I’m sure of. I do believe in hard work. And if that means countless hours of making sure you’re comfortable, or endless days of getting youtotrustme,thenI’mreadyforthejob.”Histhumbs run against my skin as he speaks in an inside voice. “All you have to do is say the word.If you want me to, I’ll go away.” “But I don’t want you to,” I say, pleading with my eyes.
“Then, I won’t.”His lips form a firm smile before he kisses my head.
22
the grudge
COLTON
We both sit across from each other, Steven and I, sharing silent glances each time the other isn’t looking. The sound of the wrappers crinkling around our sandwiches doing the majority of the communication while we stiffly inhale the quiet air surrounding us. He’s been crinkling the sandwich paper more than actually eating it, and all I can do is watch— thinking of every possible comforting thing I can bring up.
“Would you rather do something else?”I gently pry, wiping my hands as I watch him poke at napkins. He shakes his head, deadpanning at the table between us.
“Wanna talk about whatever’s got you so quiet?”I add another question, taking a chance at a positive response.
“No,” he mumbles. It was a nice try.
“Did I pick the wrong place to grab a bite?”I add yet another question, quickly halted by his next response.
“Do you have to keep asking me questions?”He sighs, giving me a fed-up expression.
Ihalf-smile,happythatIgotaresponseatall.
“I do.It’s the job of the annoying older sibling.”My shoulders slightly bounce with laughter.“And I’m also curious to whether or not you’re all bothered because of me.”Iquicklyaddthelastpart,glancingathimonceagain.
He stares at me with a dull gaze.
“Yeah. I have a problem with how chipper you always are. It’s fake.”
What a read.He’s obviously learned from the best.
