Page 96 of Breathe Like Hell

“This is my apartment.”

“Please leave me alone,” I said, pushing the lock in again.

“I’m going to get in there, one way or the other.”

The lock sprung open; I jammed it back down with my thumb.

I thought of how stupid I’d been over the past months, how fucking naive. Even when I knew better, I didn’t change my actions.

I wasn’t the person who was going to survive with him. I wasn’t the only person who could understand him, who could match his darkness, who wanted to go this deep with him. Because I didn’t understand him. And he would never let me.

“Dakota,” Mason warned. I could feel him leaning against the wood.

“Please leave me alone,” I repeated, more tears rolling down my cheeks, my jaw clenched with anxiety, my thumb keeping the lock pushed in.

“I’m going to break the door open if you don’t let me come in.”

I didn’t say anything, still staring at the lock on the handle.

At least I knew I didn’t need to be here much longer.

Micah would be picking me up soon.

“Dakota!”

I flinched, eyes squeezing shut, hands shaking.

He wasn’t going to give up, just like he’d said.

As quietly as possible, I stepped away from the door and grabbed my clothes off the floor, yanking on my underwear then my pants and shirt. The door flung open as I pulled on one sock, Mason stalking over to me as I cowered away from him.

“Why do you want to leave me?” he asked loudly.

“I don’t want to leave you, and that’s exactly why I have to! If I keep letting myself stay, I’m going to eventually let you kill me. Tell me I’m wrong for thinking that.”

“You’re wrong for thinking that. I would never kill you, baby.”

“You know what, Mason?” My voice rose in volume again as I stood up on trembling legs. “I don’t believe you. I don’t believe a word out of your mouth.”

“What’s the point in me saying anything, then? You would choose Micah over me.”

“I fucking wonder why!” I yelled before I could think better of it. Mason looked like I’d just stabbed him. An unstable frown tugged at the corners of my mouth. I was fighting not to break down into hysterical sobs.

“Thanks for confirming that,” Mason said, his voice hoarse. “Glad to know where I stand.”

“That’s not fair, Mason.” Anguish was building up in my brain, tearing my soul to shreds, slicing down to the very core of me. “You know that’s not fair!”

He just shook his head and looked away from me.

“Well, are you going to talk to me?” I questioned, squeezing my phone. Micah was almost here now.

“No.” He turned and left the bathroom.

I stood there, frozen, for a few seconds.

Fine.

I finished putting my socks on and gathered up my few belongings. Mason wasn’t in his bedroom as I left and grabbed my things, shoving my feet into my boots and stomping out towards the kitchen.