Page 13 of Bitter Truths

“Hals,” he breathed, rubbing his chest.

Is his heart broken too? Hm, well, too fucking bad because he deserves everything he gets and fucking more.

Walking away, I left my art supplies in the bin and didn’t respond when he called out to me, and now, here I sit in the damn parking lot, caught between what I wanted to do, which was jump into his arms, and what I know I have to do, which is let him go.

We can never be more than enemies. Frankly, I’m not sure I shouldn’t show him the error of his fucking ways, and if I do, he may hate me.

The thought does nothing to calm my racing heart, but I will it back because his torment is surely the best medicine for the rage bubbling in my goddamn soul, and if that makes me a bad person, so be it.

∞∞∞

GRIFFIN

Slamming my hands against the steering wheel, I shout my eternal fucking pain into the universe. The woman exiting the car next to me startles and glances my way before hurrying off to the mall’s entrance.

Absently, I watch her go before dropping my head to the wheel.

I’d rather fuck Jason than you.

I know it’s not true. How could it be? But the words tore something open in my chest, and now it’s bleeding out like a cut artery. I can’t see past the fucking rage clouding my vision that she would even think the damn words, much less say them. She’s fucking mine. She always has been. And I’m supposed to—what? Step away, back off? Fuck, no.

I didn’t give her the necklace because it was fun. I didn’t stalk her in high school because I was a dick, although I am. And I sure as fuck didn’t claim her at the lake house because I was horny.

I need her to breathe, and I refuse to back the fuck away.

“Fuck,” I whisper, running my hand over my face.

I’m exhausted. I haven’t been able to sleep. Her bright blue eyes filled with pain dance over my vision whenever I close my eyes, and I can’t look away.

This isn’t new, but now, her misery doesn’t feed my need—it fucking starves it.

Halsey once told me I was the best thing that ever happened to her. I don’t remember what I said in return, but I’d tell her the truth if I could go back now.

She saved my life the day she chose me. I was drowning, and she pulled me from the water.

Since it all went to shit, though, I’ve been paddling in a lifeboat that’s going under, slowly sinking, and knowing she was as miserable as I am has kept me afloat.

Now, I’m feet from the shore, but she’s got a fucking fence erected around her, and I’m helpless as to what to do.

I need her. I always have, but I don’t think she needs me anymore.

Chapter Four

I thought you were my savior, but you were my end.

HALSEY

“Hey, Hals.”

From the corner of my vision, I see Max hovering just outside the door. Closing my eyes, I drop my shirt into the suitcase and mumble, “Hey.”

I’ve been brooding since my altercation with Griffin, and I count it as a win that I didn’t take to my bed for days on end. Progress, I suppose, but it didn’t stop the agonizing feeling that’s been riding my gut since. He wants me, and I don’t know how to feel about it, but I have to fight the soft pulse in my heart telling me to forgive him.

All of this is meaningless to Max, and his mere presence at my door creates a needle of fear that I’m resentful of after the shit I’ve been through just today.

My own damn brother is the last person I should be afraid of. Besides, there’s nothing left to say. He made his feelings known quite brutally at that. I mean less than nothing to him—message received.

“Um, I . . .. Have you spoken to Griffin?” he asks, tracing his hand over the door frame.

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