Page 180 of Paradox
He dips for more ink. “I’m not an idiot.”
“Then why would you do that!?”
He whispers his answer but only his chest hears it.
“My god, you frustrate me so much. How do you even know how to—”
“Because you’re my fucking boyfriend!” he shouts, and I feel it rumble through my whole body. “I’ve been obsessed with you for months, of course I know how to spell your fucking name in Korean!”
“Fuck you. Don’t talk to me like that!”
“No, fuck you! I know I screwed up, but it’s done now.”
“So why put my name on your leg?”
“Because I fucking love you, Jin!”
“I’m right here.”
“And when you’re not, I…” With a shake of his head, all the passion fades from his eyes and he looks back down to his leg.
“When I’m not, what? I don’t wanna go anywhere.”
“I can’t fight him.”
“What are you saying?”
“I can’t fight him.”
“So fightforme.”
“I love you.”
“I know. I love you, too, but—fuck.” I look left and right like the answers will pop out of thin air. “Oh, fuck it.” Frustrated, I run to the cupboard beneath the stairs and pull down my duffle bag from the top shelf. “Let’s go.”
“Where are you going?”
“Where amIgoing?”
“That’s what I said.”
“Stop being like this. Pack some things and let’s get out of here.”
“I’m not leaving.”
“What the hell, Eden?” My bag thuds as I throw it against the stairs in anger. “You’re a fucking liar!”
“No I’m not.”
“Yes you are. You said you’d fight for me. You said that nothing would ever stop us from being together. And now you’re… you’re chicken shit! You’re the little man, just sitting there like our lives aren’t about to blow the fuck up.”
“And how do you suppose your brother will feel when he shows up and we’re not here?”
Like a drowning fish, my mouth flaps, but I’m floundering.
If I’m being honest, I don’t really care how Tek feels right now. I mean, I wish it was more accepting and a lot less homicidal, but his opinions don’t change the way I feel about Eden. I don’t want to lose my brother, but I will if it means I get to remain happy.
“Can you come and sit down with me, please?”
