Page 50 of Only Be Mine

I didn’t notice how much time had passed until Cate appeared in the doorway.

I opened my mouth to say her name, to ask if she was okay, but Seth was already pulling me back into the game, and the moment slipped past me before I could grab it.

By the time I realized she’d gone again, my chest felt tight with something close to panic.

Chapter 17

Cate

July - Twelve Years Ago

By the time I reached the cabin, my chest hurt for reasons that had nothing to do with my fall or the scraped skin that covered my body.

Opening the door, I was met with chaos.

The table had been dragged into the living room. Beer bottles lay everywhere. Music thumping too loud, at complete odds with the quiet outside.

John was laughing.

Not just laughing - gone. Folded into the noise and the game and the distraction.

He didn’t even look at me.

Something cracked and I turned away before he could see my face and locked myself in the bathroom.

The water covered the sound of my crying, but barely.

I scrubbed at my knees until they burned, until the sting gave me something else to focus on. I didn’t want to be the girl who cried because her boyfriend didn’t notice her. I hated that girl.

A knock hit the door.

Then another.

“Just a minute,” I called, wiping my face.

When I opened the door, Trevor stumbled inside like he owned the place.

I jumped back as he lifted the toilet seat.

“Oh my God…” I muttered, stepping into the hallway.

He came out seconds later, blinking like he’d just realized I existed.

“You okay?” he asked, slurring slightly.

I shook my head. “I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine,” he said, stepping closer. His fingers brushed my cheek, a little too familiar, too personal, and I flinched.

“That’s not…” I started.

“I just want to help,” he said quietly. “You don’t deserve to be upset.”

The words felt wrong.

I wiped my face and forced myself to smile. “I’m fine, really. You should get back to your game.”

He hiccupped and shook his head. “Not until you tell me what’s bothering you.”