His forehead creases deeply. “I know you don’t want me, Caleb. You don’t have to lie about it.”
The raspy whisper of his voice is filled with anguish and coldness that makes me feel like I’ve been shot. He tugs his hand from my grip and walks out of the kitchen without looking back. I hunch over the sink and let my eyes strain against the wall for a few seconds.
“What the fuck, Caleb?” Felix’s voice echoes around the kitchen as he approaches, and then stares down at the hole in my hand.
“Did you hear all that?” I ask, praying he didn’t and can’t put two and two together.
Felix scoffs. “I saw Evan leaving, and he explained what happened with your hand. He was only trying to help.”
“Don’t start,” I snarl.
“Don’t start? You have no idea what he does for us.”
I spin around to face him with blazing eyes. “I know exactly what he does for us.”
“Then why talk to him like that?”
My jaw crunches. “I’m just—” I cut myself off to collect my thoughts. “Frustrated.”
“That’s not Evan’s fault.” His gaze falls to my hand and winces. “Hell, you need to go to the infirmary.”
It’s the last thing on my mind.
“Can you just get off my back?”
Felix’s face remains stoic. “Keep pushing people away, Caleb, and one day, you’ll really regret it.”
My nostrils flare as he throws up his hands in defence and heads out of the kitchen door, leaving me all alone to drown in my thoughts.
16
EVAN
Over the last few days, I physically couldn’t bring myself to train with the pack. I told Ava I was feeling unwell, and she convinced Jaxon to give me some time off after all the hard work I’ve done these last few weeks. Never in a million years did I think he would agree, but he did, and I was immensely grateful.
It’s now the weekend, meaning we have some time off. I spend the majority of it in bed, catching up on reading and running my thumb up and down the scab markings on my wrist. I didn’t want to, but I needed to. It’s something I’ll never be able to fully explain.
When you’re in a bad headspace, it’s almost impossible to talk yourself out of doing it. The voices become too loud, and the need to feel something real increases.
Anger bubbles inside me, and I yank down my sleeve and begin to make my way downstairs to grab some fresh air.
Ava and Kayleigh are in the kitchen, and Ava blinks at my appearance. I’ve barely come out of my bedroom these last few days.
“Hey,” she says softly.
“Hey.”
“How are you doing?”
“So-so.” I shrug.
Kayleigh frowns. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I need to get some air.”
“Why don’t we go into town?” Ava suggests. “Get some late lunch, maybe go to that retro arcade. I think we could all do with getting out of the house.”
My eyes flick to Kayleigh, who grins with eagerness. “Yes, let’s do it.”
