Page 80 of Versions Of Us

Kristen shakes her head, confusion flooding her features. “It was just some idiot teenagers doing a burnout in the street.”

I nod, taking more air into my lungs. “Okay.”

“Just breathe, baby. It’s okay. I’m here.”

I become aware that she’s kneeling beside me now, her hands making light circles on my bare shoulder blades. The world slowly becomes lighter as the blackness fades.

Suddenly, Kristen pauses, her hands coming to stop over a section of my back. I tense, my body immediately going rigid when I realise what has caught her attention. The jagged scar that runs across the length of my left shoulder blade down to the centre of my back.

“What is this?” she demands, her eyebrows pulling down in a frown.

“Nothing.” My voice is cold as I scramble forward, reaching for my t-shirt on the ground in front.

“Alex, that is not nothing.” Her voice is husky, a mere whisper.

I feel my nostrils flare with the sudden intake of breath as I pull the fabric over my head, desperate to cover myself.

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. Why won’t you open up to me about this? Why won’t you tell me what happened?” She reaches for me, a tortured look in her eyes, but I pull away before she gets close enough.

“Because you wouldn’t want to know. It’s for the best. I never should have come here. This shouldn’t have happened. It was a mistake.”

Her glare cuts me straight through the heart. I know how unfair I’m being. I’ve come over here and taken what wasn’t mine to take and it kills me that I’ve hurt her again.

“Alex, we should talk about this.” Her voice is soft, sympathetic.

A reminder of how much better of a human being she is than me.

“We don’t need to do that. I’m not one of your callers at the helpline.”

She tilts her head and watches me in pity. It’s more than I can stand. I turn my back, bursting through the Haven’s doors and out onto the street, feeling even more miserable and reckless than I had before.

Chapter 34

KRISTEN

Ihave no self-control when it comes to Alex Henley, that much is clear. Even despite his behaviour toward Chase yesterday I still couldn't keep my hands to myself.

More than that, I’m worried about him. I once knew everything there was to know about Henley, but he’s become a puzzle I’m not sure I’ll ever figure out. And even more baffling to me is the fact that even after everything, I still care.

There’s only one thing I need more than coffee right now and that’s my best friend, which is why after gathering my phone and throwing on a t-shirt and denim shorts, I’d found myself standing in Liv and EJ’s apartment watching Liv bang the top of her coffee machine violently with the palm of her hand.

“Stupid freaking thing!” she cries.

“Hey! Hey! Be kind to that freaking thing,” I interrupt. “I need it to make me a giant cup of caffeine.”

She pivots around at the sound of my voice. “The only thing this thing is going to make you is insane,” she replies. “Certifiably insane.”

“Aww.” I shoot a sympathetic look her way. “What’s wrong with it?”

“It’s just not very user friendly. It’s too fancy for its own good.” She rolls her eyes and then slumps onto the couch in the corner of the living room. “It was an engagement present from Dad. I have no idea why he chose to buy us a coffee machine when we live above a café. Nice gesture though.”

I smile, following her to the couch. “Where’s EJ?”

“He’s getting us coffee from downstairs.”

I laugh at the irony, but it comes out half-hearted. Liv eyes me curiously. It’s obvious she’s sensed the strange mood I’m in. “What’s up with you today?”

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