Once I'm done, she retreats to her fetal position.
I sit next to her. I don’t do anything else. Just sit.
And wait.
8
Scooped Out My Backbone
Some girls laughed at me today for wearing one of your t-shirts at school. They’re just jealous though. They all fancied you. —BFF4Life, Izzy
Izzy
Ifeelsofuckingweak.
Like someone has scooped out my backbone and replaced it with something soft and useless, leaving me unable to stand on my own.
I let Enzo tuck me into his bed; it doesn’t take long beforesleep claims me.
By the time I wake, it’s morning again and I’m alone.
My stomach groans loudly, reminding me that I’ve just spent two weeks not eating and I need to start filling up again.
Dragging myself down the hall I’m greeted by the sight of Enzo, still dressed casually in sweatpants and t-shirt, as he prepares breakfast.
I don’t announce my presence as I wrap my arms around myself to watch him. He’s so focused, pouring batter into a waffle machine, that he doesn’t notice I’m there until I eventually clear my throat, stepping further into the kitchen.
He smiles at me and my stomach swoops. I hate that, even after all these years, I still react to him like this. Butterflies alighting in my belly.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, embarrassment creeping in as I recall my breakdown yesterday.
Enzo stops what he’s doing to pull me into his embrace, stroking my hair absentmindedly as he speaks. “Don’t apologize for things you can’t control,Cuore mio.”
I nod, not knowing what else to say.
Enzo goes back to cooking, then slides a plate of waffles into the center of the counter. He cuts a piece off, drizzles on chocolate sauce, then holds it out to me. I reach out my hand to take the fork from him, but he snatches it back with a playful grin.
Rolling my eyes, I lean forward, wrapping my lips from the fork to let him feed me. He used to do the same thing when we were kids.
The way his eyes blaze as he looks at me lights a fire under my skin.
His phone ringing cuts through the moment. He mutters unhappily under his breath before snapping, “What?”
Tension radiates from him as he listens to whoever's on the other side.
“Can’t you handle it?” he snaps.
Enzo growls at the answer before he ends the call with, “Fine. I’ll be there.”
His expression morphs as soon as he looks down at me, eyes softening, his face no longer a storm cloud.
“I have to go out this evening,” he tells me, running a handthrough his already messy hair.
“Where?” I ask, more out of curiosity than anything else.
“My club. It’s re-opening tonight; I have to be there.”
My stomach tightens at the thought of him leaving me here alone, but I also know I’m not ready to face the outside world. I need to lay low, come up with a plan to deal with Lucas.
