Page 154 of Mad Girl

Michael had a point. And, believe me, Casey, I had considered it. Running off. Going wherever I wanted. Forcing you to come after me. Find me. Make me go home.

Honestly, the idea thrilled me beyond belief. But then I remembered how hurt and disappointed you’d been by all the lying when you’d trusted me to uphold our deal. Running off would only cause you to trust me less.

“Who says I haven’t been fighting him? Haven’t you noticed I take my tea upstairs while you guys watch basketball? I’ve barely spoken to him in weeks.”

Michael stopped to consider this.

“Anyway, he isn’t grounding me, Michael. I hurt Sienna, and he got in trouble with my dad. He’s just being extra cautious.”

“Believe me,” Michael said, releasing a bitter laugh. “It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

“You should’ve seen him when he broke Greer’s hands, Elliot. I wanted to make that asshole pay for hurting you, but not like Casey did. It made me question everything.”

“Like what?”

“My feelings for you, I guess? I love you, but I didn’t go postal like he did. I didn’t try to kill that guy.”

Despite everything, my heart skipped. “He only did it because he thinks he’s my protector.”

“That’s bullshit. I mean, he definitely wants to protect you. But he also wants to keep you here—locked inside this house with him—where he can personally make sure no other guy ever touches you. In fact, he’s pretty worried about you and me. He worries I’ve touched you already.”

“How do you know that?”

“A few weeks ago, while we were watching a game over here, he started questioning me. He asked if we’ve ever fooled around—if I’ve ever bitten you—and you should’ve seen his face. If I’d said yes? I’m pretty sure he would’ve lost it.”

Because you would’ve caught me in another lie? Or because you hated the idea of me fooling around with Michael? Him specifically?

“He knows what I like,” Michael said, “and he suspects you, of all people, wouldn’t mind that sort of thing.”

“How does he know so much about what you like, anyway?”

“We’ve been with the same girl, Elliot—and she told him stuff.”

“So what he said before was true? You’ve never been with her at the same time?”

Michael shook his head. “Never.”

“Why wouldn’t you share a bed with him?”

“Because it would be weird.”

“Why? You’re friends. I share a bed with my friends all the time.”

“Yeah,” Michael agreed, eyebrows raised. “You also made out with one of them in your bed.”

“So you think he might try to make a move on you? Is that what it is?”

“No. I mean—I don’t know. I might’ve thought that at one point, but not now. He’s different now.”

“What does that mean?”

“Just—he used to flirt with me.”

I narrowed my eyes. “How?”

“He’d make comments—like the one he made about my clothes that time. Then he asked about my scar once…and he touched it.”