Page 34 of If You Were Mine
I met his gaze, my chest aching. Though I knew it had nothing to do with emotion and everything to do with my long walk since I had overexerted myself. I hated my lungs, and I knew they hated me right back.
“It was nothing. She’s hurting, lashing out because she can’t seem to hold on to any sense of her reality. So it’s easier for her to hate anyone who dares hurt her family rather than herself who’s hurting them right along with them.”
Dorian raised a brow. “When did you get so wise? I didn’t know you were old enough to have those kinds of thoughts.”
I scowled as others laughed. “Okay fuck you. And I’m glad the babies aren’t in this room because I’m going to curse again. Fuck you.”
“I’m going to wash your mouth out with soap,” Dorian grumbled.
“I’m an adult. I own a business. I’m going to curse, and sometimes I have sage wisdom. Shocking. And really,” I began as I looked around the table, “I’m fine. I’ve already been through hell, and I know you guys have been through your own versions. I really don’t care what that woman says. That may be wrong of me in some ways, but I don’t care. Joshua taught me that, at least. How to stand up for myself.”
Dorian reached out and squeezed my knee, and I let out a deep breath, trying not to lean into the contact.
He must have realized what he was doing because he let go quickly, as if I had scorched him.
Well, same, Dorian Cage.
Thankfully the subject changed again, and by the time dessert rolled around, I was exhausted, and my lungs did indeed ache.
“I should head home. I know it’s going to get a little bit colder later, and I want to make sure I get home quickly.”
“Did you walk here?” Dorian snapped.
I shook my head. “Not all the way. Ivy dropped me off partway, but I needed a walk.” So I could clear my thoughts about Dorian. And yet it hadn’t helped at all.
“Harper, it’s freezing out,” Isabella chided. “Dorian, will you drive her home?
“It’s not like she’s going to have any other choice,” Dorian grumbled as he stomped past me. At least he wasn’t limping, so I knew he wasn’t in that much pain. Or he was getting better at masking.
He walked out without a goodbye, leaving me alone with his family staring at him—the worry etched on their faces matching the same in my heart.
I let out a shaky, painful breath and looked at all of them. “Well, thank you for dinner.”
“We’re sorry for the drama,” Aston said as he gave me a hug. I hugged him back, before doing the same to others, leaving Hudson for last.
He lifted my chin with his finger and glared at me. Or maybe he was just staring at me. I was never sure with Hudson.
“Be safe. And thanks for taking care of Dorian.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m pretty sure he thinks it’s the opposite.”
“He can think what he wants,” Hudson snapped before he went upstairs. Most likely to see the babies. And I couldn’t help but smile at that thought. I would have to tell Scarlett just to annoy her.
Dorian was already waiting for me outside by the time I got out there. The temperature had dropped dramatically, and I realized I had been an idiot thinking I could walk. No wonder Ivy had looked at me like I’d lost my mind.
“Text Ivy and the others and let them know you’re leaving,” Dorian ordered.
I scowled at him as I got to the side of his truck.
“You could say please.”
“I could. Come on, let me help you up.”
I scowled. “Excuse me? You have runners. I can climb up.” Probably better than he could, but I didn’t say that. It would be rude to both of us because I knew he had to be hurting.
He didn’t listen to me however, because he never did. Instead he lifted me by the waist, and I let out a squeak as he set me inside the cab of his truck.
“Bossy,” I mumbled.
