Page 59 of Fighting the Darkness

“And Wilder. Let’s not forget him. She’s head over heels for the guy, even though he’s a complete idiot.” Griffin snorts. “I don’t even know if that’s something either of them would be interested in, but it could be that all four of us are together. Or just you with all of them and us together. However, it works out, but to make it clear, if it’s just us, I’d be happy with that too.”

I nod slowly. “I think I like the sound of that. I’ll have to look it up and do some research to make sure I understand it, but I want that.”

“So do I.” Griffin pulls me in for a kiss, and for once it’s not pure desire as we get ready to fuck. No, this kiss is full of love and adoration.

“Wow,” I sigh when we break apart, pulling a laugh from both of us. “As nice as that was, I have a girl to find and apologize to. I have her address, so I’ll head to her house and text you after?”

Griffin nods. “Please do. I want to make sure she’s okay. And do me a favor? Try not to make it worse.”

“I’ll try my hardest.” Pushing to my feet as Griffin does the same, I grin. “So are we out in the open, then?”

He shrugs. “I don’t see why not.”

“Good.” I grab his hand and start walking toward the door. “Then you can walk me out.”

And he does. He walks me to the door before kissing me there in front of everyone. Whoops and hollers sound out around us, and it’s honestly the happiest I’ve been in a really long time. Now, to make the day perfect, I just need to find Freya and convince her to forgive me.

Piece of cake.

Chapter Twenty-six

Freya

Mymindisrunningin a million different directions, and I can’t seem to get it to calm down. I know I shouldn’t be driving right now, but I don’t know what else to do.

Soren’s hurtful words play on repeat in my head over and over, overlaying with Wilder’s until they’re added to the chorus of my worst fears.

Whore.

Slut.

Untrustworthy.

They twist around inside of my mind, digging their claws deeper and deeper.

Despised.

You’re nothing.

Why do you deserve to live?

Tears seep down my face. I’m not sure when they started, but they’re unending.

You should just end it.

You’re pathetic.

I can’t see. I can’t think. I can’t hear.

You’ll never be worth anything.

You ruin everything.

Nothing but those twisted words in voices that are familiar to me—Wilder, Soren, Griffin, Mom, and, worst of all, Freyr.

You’re unlovable.

You’re the reason I’m dead.

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