“I’ll promise you anything, baby.” If he asked me to rip my heart out and give it to him on a platter, I would consider it.
He’s looking down at our interlocked fingers as I rub my thumb in soothing strokes over his hand. He takes a steadying breath, then looks me in the eye. “If something happens to me because of this guy… promise me you’ll move on. That you’ll find someone else. Someone who will make you happy and you can fall in love with.”
My hand stills, then drops away entirely. He really did ask me to rip my heart out.
But not so he can keep it.
My pulse spikes, neck heating with the anger coursing through my body. “No.”
His eyes slam closed. “You said you’d promise me anything.” His voice breaks, the sound just fueling my anger.
“Yeah, well, I didn’t think you’d ask for something so goddamn stupid.”
“Please, Cull. I just… I don’t know.”
“You’re giving up. No matter what I say to you, you’ve already decided how this is going to end.” He reaches for my hand, but I bring it to the steering wheel just as his fingers brush my skin.
When it’s clear I’m done with the conversation, he opens the door, then shuts it quietly after stepping down. I wait long enough to make sure he gets into the house safely, but the moment the door closes behind him, I back out of the driveway and haul ass home.
Forty-Two
Hudson
Night has fallen outside my bedroom window, but I’ve been sitting in the dark since Cull dropped me off. I didn’t want to create distance between us, but I just needed to know that he could move on, be happy.
Maybe it’s better this way. If he pulls away now, it’ll be easier when the inevitable happens. I’ll carry the weight of his anger if it means he gets the future he deserves.
My phone buzzes, a text from Ella lighting up the darkness.
ELLA:Still meeting at the park?
I almost forgot I was supposed to meet her tonight. She had texted me at some point while I was running away from Cull like a chicken shit. She apologized profusely for what happened earlier and asked to meet and talk about everything.
I agreed.
I also asked her to bring party favors.
ME:Yeah. Heading out now.
Grabbing my shoes, I slide them on, and then as quietly as possible, I make my way out of the house.
I don’t have it in me to explain to my parents where I’m going. My dad said Ella was welcome at our house anytime, but I don’t know if I can stand to see the sadness on their faces. They lost their best friends today, and I know that is hitting them hard.
My mind plays like a silent film, looping everything that happened earlier today. Mrs. Amy storming in the house, andher accusations. Losing my scholarship, and with it, my spot at AB State this fall. Seeing the stalker. The fight with Cullen. And worst of all, his refusal to make one simple promise.
That’s what breaks my heart the most. That he wouldn’t promise to find happiness if I’m gone.
Numbness follows me as I hurry past my Bronco, deciding to walk the few minutes to the park. I don’t bother checking my surroundings, not giving a crap if I’m being watched. Part of me almost hopes my stalker shows up and puts an end to my sorry existence. I’m just too tired to care anymore, and at this point, it’d almost be a relief.
My phone rings, Cull’s ringtone loud on the deserted street. I almost let it go to voicemail, still upset about how we left things, but at the last minute decide to answer.
“What do you want, Cullen?” I ask, tired and resigned.
“Baby, I’m sorry about earlier. Your question just took me by surprise. I can’t imagine a world where you’re gone. And I don’t want you to do that either.”
I see the park just up ahead, so I slow and lean against a street light. Cull asked me to talk to him, to be honest. So that’s what he’s going to get.
“You shut me out today. I’ve never once asked for your reassurance, and the one time I really needed it, you disregarded my feelings.”
