Page 83 of Entangled

It’s her. He can’t even say it’s not.

I smile sadly at him, that last spark of hope extinguishing in my chest. The shadows seem to lengthen between the trees.

His gaze refocuses on me. “Eden?—”

“We can be friends, Dom.” I cut him off, not wanting to hear whatever words of reassurance he’s working up to. I’m so raw right now, I’m not sure how I might react. I don’t know if I’m close to tears or if my chest is just going to implode from the weight on it.

He closes his eyes on a long exhale. His jaw flexes. “Friends.”

Does he not even want that?

“I’d like to think we’re past you trying to chase me off now,” I tease weakly. Then I bite my lip. “At least, I hope so.”

He shakes his head again, rubbing a hand over his mouth. When he looks at me, his eyes are filled with things I don’t understand.

“I don’t want to chase you off, Eden.”

I shiver. Does he have to sound like that? Like every word is a caress? Some kind of intimate promise?

“Good.” Tears prick the back of my eyes, even as I force my smile wider. “We’ll be... we’ll be good friends then.”

Dom lets out a sound similar to a growl, but I turn and stride away. I need to. I’m moments away from doing something silly—like falling to my knees and begging him to love me.

As I walk away, I make a promise to myself. Iwillbe his friend. And Heather’s, too, if I can bear it. Iwillbear it.

I’m not in a position to turn down friends. I’ve lived too long alone, and I know, better than most, how unendurable loneliness can be. Friends are more special than so many people appreciate.

Especially ones who would fight and die for you.

I make my way through the camp, with no intention of anything except escaping as far as I can from that conversation without leaving the safety of people.

I can do it. Iwilllearn to be a better friend. One who doesn’t leave people to die to save their own skin. One who doesn’t let a tiny little bump of jealousy get in the way of two people who have cared about one another for years. Surely, I’m not so petty as that.

Okay, so it might be a gigantic, unbearable, bone-achinggorgeof jealousy, but the point stands.

I can do it.

I’ve spent most of my life being polite and courteous no matter what was roiling about inside me. I can do it again now, for a good cause.

The night presses in around me.

Because with the way I’m feeling now, I think I’m going to need some friends very soon.

Chapter22

Jaykob

Survival tip #310

Don’t share your things.

You’ll never get them back.

I’m pinned.

Adrenaline spikes, and I bare my teeth as I look for an escape, but they have me surrounded, three on one, backed up against a boulder. Normally, I’d come out swinging anyway, but here? I don’t stand a damn chance. Sweat gathers at the nape of my neck.

I need to get free. Now.

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