Page 157
“I almost killed him, Lennon,” I suck in a breath. “When it was all said and done, I looked down at the blood on my hands and realized that I was turning into him. And I ran.”
“That’s how you ended up in Baton Rouge?”
I nod, my throat raw. “I bummed rides when I could and stole money for bus tickets when I was too scared to be around other people because Hyde… he kept coming out. I couldn’t stop it. All anyone had to do was look at me wrong and I’d fucking snap.”
“He was protecting you in the only way you knew how to, Dalton.”
“Maybe,” I whisper, turning to look out of the window in the living room. “I don’t think I would have stayed here but then Calvin found me digging in the dumpsters and he gave me a place to live. Then, I met the Devils and they gave me the closest thing I’ve ever had to a home before…”
I shake my head and turns back to her.
“The point is, I don’t let people get close to me, Lennon.”
My throat tightens and every single bit of me feels fucking raw right now. Like I’m one giant nerve ending.
I wish she would touch me.
But I also think it would fucking break me.
“Dalton,” she whispers, shaking her head. “I’m so glad you told me all of that but what does it have to do with…”
“I don’t let myself need anyone,” I say, cutting her off.
Fuck.
My hands are shaking so goddamn bad.
My heart is in my fucking throat.
But I need to say this.
Need her to hear this.
“But, you, Lennon… I need you.” My voice breaks but I don’t take my eyes off hers. I’ve never shown anyone this much of me.
I want to run.
I want to look away.
But I need her more.
“I need you like I’ve never needed anyone else in my entire fucking life.”
“Why?” She whispers and my brows furrow as I stare at her.
Why?
Why, what?
Why do I need her?
Why have I never let anyone else in before?
“What?”
Her throat bobs as she swallows hard and then she’s scooting across the floor until she’s right in front of me. “Why do you need me?”
“I…” I shake my head. “I don’t know. You just make everything feel… easier… better… more.”
