Page 70 of What Is Love
“I don’t understand your point.” I did, but sometimes acting oblivious gave the other person doubts.
That didn’t seem to work on her.
“It isn’t a secret that artists use their art as a way to express what they are feeling or going through.”
“I still don’t understand,” I lied as I mentally kicked myself. I should have kept my mouth shut.
She stared at me as if searching for something, and when she found it, she looked disappointed. “I think you do.”
I didn’t respond to that. I couldn’t let this conversation continue.
Before I could put an end to it, she placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. “When someone’s only known one thing their entire life, they will never understand what is missing. Not unless they see for themselves. Then and only then do they realize that there needs to be a change. They just have to be strong and brave enough to do it.”
I stepped away from her, wanting space. “I’m not sure what you’re implying, but I need to go.” I turned for the door.
“Lottie, wait,” she said, and I could feel her following me.
I spun around feeling angry, scared, embarrassed, and confused. I couldn’t handle them all at once. So I latched onto the one emotion I knew would give me strength. “My final is not for you to use for some sort of social experiment on me.”
She looked taken aback. “That’s not—I’m trying to help you.”
“I don’t need help!” I erupted, making her go wide-eyed, before I left without looking back.
Roe was waiting for me in the student parking lot. The pull and comfort I felt just seeing him there made me want to run to him. I wanted him to hold me, but I kept my pace at a regular walk. There were still students around and despite how disobedient I had been, part of me still felt the need to be careful. Like there was still hope that I could fix things before Mother returned. I didn’t know. I told myself I’d worry about it tomorrow. I just wanted to hang out with Roe and, later on, with Wyatt.
“What’s wrong?” Roe asked as I approached.
I stopped a few feet from him. “Take me somewhere.”
“Where would you like to go?”
“I don’t care as long as I’m with you,” I told him.
He lifted his hand like he was going to reach for me, but then paused, glanced around, and dropped it back at his side as he balled it into a fist. “Are you hungry?”
I didn’t bother lying. “Yes, I’m hungry.”
I followedRoe to Noble’s Pub. It was practically a ghost town compared to how it had been Saturday. There were stilla handful of patrons eating, drinking, and playing pool. Reid was working behind the bar and Mac was waiting on the few occupied tables.
Roe suggested we sit at the bar. Reid noticed us. As he walked over, his gaze didn’t waver from me until he was standing in front of us on the other side of the bar.
He looked to Roe. “Is this a date?”
“Does it matter?” Roe asked.
The muscle in Reid’s jaw ticked before he reluctantly started to say, “Are you?—?”
A hand touched my shoulder. “Hey.” It was Mac. She was standing next to me, her eyes filled with concern. “How are you?”
I tensed up. “I’m fine.”
She leaned closer and, in a low voice, asked, “Are you sure?”
I nodded.
She didn’t look like she believed me, but she leaned away. “Do you need anything?”
I shook my head. “Roe and I were just about to order food.”
