Page 168 of Sweetheart: Part One

“Your focus is Ebony,” I snarled. “You’re done with Drake.” I didn’t care if he hated me for it. I’d never seen him open up to anyone like he’d opened up to Vex. When he learned the truth, it would kill him.

Her breathing was coming more ragged now, a panic attack in full force.

But was that a lie too?

If she was capable of this, it could all be a lie.

“I don’t expect to find you waiting in my room ever again,” I snarled. “I don’t want you touching me. I don’t want you near me.”

VEX

I shrank beneath those words, still clutching Love’s arms desperately as he released me. He shoved my grip off, stepping away, looking at me as if I disgusted him.

My mind was slow, the world spinning.

Something was wrong… I still felt the insistent urge to reach for him.

I needed him.

And Drake… he’d said… he’d said I couldn’t see Drake. A low wail rose in my chest, and I clutched my throat. Love was going to take Drake away.

My only light in a world of darkness.

I needed them both… He should… he should understand that…

“I don’t want you near me.”

Those words were the only thing holding me back, the cracks from that blow still webbing outward, farther and farther, holding me in place.

Holding me in absolute shock.

He didn’t want me.

That fissure struck right down to what made me an omega, splintering against the discomfort in my chest—the one his kiss had soothed.

I needed him, and he didn’t want me.

He took another step back, and a choked, pathetic whine slipped again from me, but I didn’t lurch after him like I wanted to. Still, I was halted by my own fear.

The sound of my whine drew pure hatred in his deep blue eyes.

My body was too hot, my mind shutting down, heart shattering into a million pieces.

Instead, I clutched myself as he backed up, and left me alone.

And it was then that my sluggish brain finally caught up to what was happening. I buckled, the full force of heat crashing against a dangerous amount of scent blockers—a mighty wave against a fortress.

FORTY-FOUR

VEX

The world faded.

Love was gone.

There was an echo of pain in my knees as they crashed to the floor, then another pain, shooting but distant in my shoulder and chin as the ground came up to meet me.

Too many drugs…

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