Page 13 of Toxic

"Sean!"

He paces, pulling at his hair. Tears fall down my cheeks. He spins, his green eyes flaring with rage. "It was him, wasn't it?"

"Yes," I admit, wishing I never told Sean about Dante.

I met Sean on the first day I got to Chicago. My father and I went to the pub so I could meet Darragh and the other O'Malleys. The moment Sean's and my eyes locked, the earth shifted. It freaked me out. I was still running from Dante's shadow.

Sean immediately asked me out. At first, I told him no, too scared to get my heart broken again. But he wouldn't take no for an answer and showed up at my dorm room the following day, asking me out again. When I told him no, he wouldn't leave until I told him why. I spilled everything and told him I wasn't ready to date anyone, even though he insisted Dante was an idiot who didn't deserve any more of my time.

The next day was my first day of classes. Sean brought me coffee and a doughnut then walked me to class. He waited until it was over then walked me across campus to the next one. All day, he was there, making me laugh about stupid things. By the time the last class was over, my flutters were in full effect, and I was praying he was going to be outside.

He was. And I couldn't resist him when he asked me to go to a Cubs game that night. I knew nothing about baseball, but I went and enjoyed every moment of it because I was with him.

All Sean's ever shown me is that he's everything Dante isn't. When I told Dante I didn't love him anymore, I meant it. My heart belongs to Sean and only him.

Hurt fills Sean's face. I cup his cheeks. "Please believe me. He kissed me, and I didn't kiss him back. I even slapped him. I told him I love you and not him."

Sean's hardened expression never falters. The fear and pain in his eyes make me feel like I betrayed him. "Let me guess. He realizes what an ass he is and wants you back."

More tears drip off my cheeks. "It doesn't matter."

"He put his lips on yours. Of course it matters!" Sean snarls.

My hands shake against his cheeks. "I meant he doesn't matter to me. You're all that matters."

His jaw clenches.

"Sean, it wasn't my fault. I swear!"

Death explodes in his orbs. "Oh, I know it wasn't your fault. I know all about what guys like him do. But why were you even with him?"

"I saw him at the Christmas party."

"And you didn't tell me?"

"I-I didn't want to do it over the phone."

Sean tilts his head toward the ceiling, his cheeks turning redder every second that passes.

"Sean, please," I whisper, putting my hand over his racing heart.

Tense silence fills the air, making my fear burst all around us.

"Please. Don't break up with me. I love you," I beg through tears.

His eyes meet mine. "Tell me it's over with him, Bridget. Tell me that you have zero feelings left for him."

I grab his cheeks again. "The only feelings I have are for you. I love you, not him."

His nostrils flare, but he tugs me into him. "I shouldn't have let you come here without me. I should have known he'd try to mess with you again."

I glance up. "He won't. I won't let him."

Sean squeezes his eyes shut. "He kissed you."

"I didn't kiss him back," I repeat.

"He had no right."

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