Page 97 of Breathe Like Hell

Mason slammed a cabinet door as I reached the kitchen entrance, then set his glass down so hard it shattered on the countertop. I recoiled at the sound of shards exploding around his hand. He looked over at me staring at him, his brown eyes so dark they looked black.

“Do you need something from me?” he growled, igniting fresh anger in my blood.

“Fuck you, Mason.” I gripped the strap of my bag tighter, clenching my back teeth together. “Fuck you.”

“Fuck you, too.”

“Did someone leave you? Huh? Is that what this is? Are you too fucking manly to admit that to me?”

He was holding his breath now. It made me hate him that much more.

Made me fear him that much more.

I can’t do this.

I’m so far out of my depth it’s not fun anymore.

I don’t want to be here.

I want to go home.

“Is that it?” I pushed. “You got left, and you think that gives you the right to terrorize me?”

“You don’t know shit, Dakota.” Something terrible was glinting in his eyes.

“We’ve established that! That’s why we’re fucking fighting! Because you don’t tell me anything, and you expect me to let you walk all over me with no reward.” Frustrated tears were still sliding down my face, and I wished I could stop them. But it was too late to stop any of this.

“You’re wrong.”

“You know what, Mason? I’m done.”

His expression shifted, breath entering his lungs.

“I am fucking done with you. For real. I’m not sure this is worth it anymore.”

“You don’t mean that.” He crossed the kitchen, not reacting to the glass cutting his feet. “I know you don’t.”

I stared deep into his eyes, tears beading on my lower lashes, my lips pressed tight together to keep me from sobbing.

I don’t mean it.

I’ll never mean it.

That’s the problem.

“You wouldn’t leave me,” Mason continued. “You are like me.”

“Micah’s here,” I said, monotone. I forced my eyebrows to furrow, so I would look more serious.

Mason grabbed my arm, as if he was going to physically keep me here, physically stop me from going to Micah right now.

“No. Please don’t leave me.” His eyes were wide with panic. “Fuck, Dakota. Don’t go. Please. I’ll fix this. I didn’t mean it when I told you to text him. I’m sorry for acting like a dick. Please, baby.”

I jerked my arm out of his hold, glaring at him while my chest ached.

“I’m not safe with you. There’s something seriously wrong in your brain.” I started walking towards the door to Mason’s apartment, but he kept stepping in front of me.

“I’m not going to let you leave.”