Page 76 of Insatiable

Ewanwalks in first with pizza, and thank God I pulled away in time, or he would’ve got a full view of me pinningLuciella’s best friend to the sofa and dry-humping her. Mum comes in next with two bowls of food,Luciellatrailing behind with a tray of drinks.

I glance at Stacey. She’s chewing her thumbnail, her eyes trained on the paused screen, a blush still creeping up from her neck to her cheeks.

We both control our breathing asLuciellatells me Dad is calling me tomorrow, and that she’s forgotten what was even happening in the movie. It restarts to reveal the girl is screaming for her life.

I can taste Stacey on my lips, raw from her biting and sucking them. The heat that radiates between us is still there, and it only amplifies when my fingers touch hers, and she takes my hand under the blanket.

In any other circumstance, I’d pull away from that sort of physical touch and picture the person in a million pieces. I’d get pains in my hands. But with Stacey, I return the sentiment by lacing our fingers.

Me.KadeMitchell, at the age ofeighteen, holds hands with a girl for the first time.

And I like it.

When the movie ends, and we need to let go, I head to my bed, finding a message from an unknown number.

Unknown: I know you weren’t trying to… you know. We both got carried away. It’s okay. Don’t overthink it.

Unknown: And I want to watch theGreat Manmovie with you.

I chuckle, save her number and type a reply.

Me: Not if you keep getting the title wrong. There’s only so much disrespect I’ll put up with for that masterpiece.

Freckles:The Greatest Showman! But yeah, I want to watch it with you. You can say no. I don’t want you to feel like you HAVE to.

Me: Do I really have a choice?

Freckles: Of course not. I’m staying here on Wednesday after practice. Will you be home?

No girl has ever been in my room, unless I count my mum when she shouts at me.Dez, Base, Jason andEwan, but no one else. I like having my own space, but something about having Stacey here feels… I don’t know.

Me: Come to my room when Luciella falls asleep. If you get the title wrong once more, I’ll kick you out and tell my sister her friend is a shit kisser.

Freckles: YOU WILL NOT!

Me: See you on Wednesday, Freckles.

19

STACEY

My feet carry me unconsciously out the warehouse, too in shock to stop.

Kade says my name, but I can’t stop or speak or even breathe. I wrench the knife from my underwear and toss it on the ground. All I can see is the red footprints from my shoes on the warehouse floor.

“Stacey.”

I bypass the car, aiming for the front gates and repeatedly telling myself that it’ll be okay. The only thing I need to do is get a ride to the hotel and find Lu’s room, where I’ll be safe. I just need to get away from all his chaos and danger.

I need to get away from the man I once knew as a nervous teenager – the man who just shot someone in the head like it was nothing.

“Stacey.”

The gate slides open as I approach it, but Kade wraps his hand around my arm and spins me to face him before I reach it. “Keep your mouth shut about this.”

I clench my teeth hard enough to hurt. “Fuck you.”

I yank free of his hold, but he steps in front of me.

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