Page 130 of Xavier

“Let go of me, Cameron.” His touch disgusts me so much, I almost retch again.

“No, Isabella-…”

“She said ‘let go.’”

We both whip our heads around at the sound of the voice.

Xavier.

How? I don’t care.

“Get lost, you fucking creep.” Cameron spits.

“Now, I’m saying it. Let go of her,” Xavier says. He doesn’t move, just stands there, his hands in his pockets, staring Cameron down. But something in his voice makes Cameron obey and he drops my hand and takes a step back.

“Xavier!” I cry and run over to him.

He doesn’t say anything, just takes one tiny step to move his body in front of me. “You okay?” he says, and I just nod. I am. He is here.

“Everything is fine. She doesn’t want you here,” Cameron scoffs.

“I think I’ll let her speak for herself.”

“I’m okay. Can you take me home, please?” I beg Xavier gently. He pulls off his jacket and throws it around my shoulders.

“Isabella! Wait!” Cameron yells out as I walk away. The sound of his voice makes my body shudder.

I force myself to stop and address him once and for all. “No. I can’t believe that I’m saying this to you. After everything. But no. Don’t you ever come near me again. I don’t know who you are anymore, Cameron. Maybe I’ve never known.”

He storms toward me, but Xavier blocks him, a hand against his chest.

“You heard her.”

“What, you’re going to smash my face in? Is that all you know how to do?” Cameron smirks. And in that moment I feel like I hate him more than I’ve ever hated anyone.

“No. I know when someone’s not even worth touching,” Xavier says.

I look at my former friend one last time and turn to walk away.

“Isabella!” he yells.

“Forget Isabella. That fucking name you convinced me to take. My name is Malynda. But you should forget that too.”

***

By the time we reach my front door, I’m so tired the hallway echoes with the sound of my feet dragging one behind the other. Xavier props me up against the door and rummages inside my purse until he finds the keys. Unlocking the door, he swings it open and then pulls my arm around my neck as he tucks one arm under my legs and carries me into the apartment.

It’s almost completely bare. All my belongings packed in boxes stacked in the hallway, ready for my new life.

A life I have no vision of right now. And a past that lies in ruins.

He lays me gently on the bed, and I only let go because I have to.

He slips my shoes off my feet.

“What were you doing there?”

“I was watching you.”