I see the pain in her eyes, and I understand what she is saying, but it is like something takes over, like I am watching everything fall apart and cannot stop what comes out of my mouth next.
“You run to men who make you feel safe, right?”I spit.“Run to the ones with good families?Good backgrounds?That’s your thing, isn’t it?You fucked Chase, and what...he didn't want you.So you had to find another family to be a part of.So you fucked me.And now you are going to fuck your way into a life you think you deserve...”
Her hand flies before I finish.
She punches me.
Square in the jaw.
Pain explodes through my face.
I stagger backward.
She stands there shaking, furious, devastated and drowning in heartbreak.“You are an asshole,” she says, voice breaking.“And you don’t deserve a response.I do not owe you athing, Nate.”
I open my mouth...But she steps between Adam and me.
“But just so you know,” she says, eyes burning, “someone followed me home tonight.A photographer.I didn’t know who it was.I was scared.I called Adam because he lives five minutes away and I knew he would show up for me.”
Blood drains from my face.
“Tess...”
“No.”
Her voice forms into something lethal.
“I was terrified.And you weren’t here.You were drunk at your party.The party where you used me as a prop, even after I told you I was tired and sick.I told you.You didn't listen.You lied to me every day of our relationship, Nate.And now you stand here throwing things in my face that you know would destroy me.”
“I...I didn’t mean...”
"Yes, you did, Nate."
"No..."I try to move closer to her, but it's like the ground is slipping away.
“Go home, Nate.”
“Tessa...please...”
Adam steps up beside her.“Nate, you need to leave, buddy.”
“This is between me and her,” I snap.
He takes one more step down the stairs, putting himself between us.“No.Not anymore.”
I lost any control I had left.A garbage can sits to my right.I throw it without paying attention to where it will go.Hard.
It happens in slow motion; Tessa had to step out of the way so the can doesn't hit her.
The look on her face when her tear-filled blue eyes lock on mine...
Adam looks her over and then steps closer.His voice is one I have never heard before.It's low.Controlled.Deadly.“Get him out of here.”
Reeves grabs one arm; McKenna grabs the other.
I resist for two seconds.Three.
Then I break.Not outwardly.Inside.Something caves in.
