Текст книги "Fear me"

Автор книги: B. B. Reid

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 25 страниц)

Chapter Thirteen

“Fuck Mondays,” I muttered to myself. The day was halfway over and I kept thinking about the second I could escape this hell but then I remembered you could never actually leave hell when you sold your soul to the devil himself.

I’ve been playing his shadow all day and I was sick of it. Keiran was everywhere, all the time, without actually being around. The stares and whispers I’ve been receiving were draining. Don’t get me wrong, I was used to it, but for different reasons. There were so many rumors circulating about what I was doing with Keiran, none of it good. To make matters worse Willow would barely talk or look at me in Volleyball today. I had to find a way to talk to her later without Keiran knowing.

I pushed open the bathroom door and immediately caught sight of Anya primping in the mirror. What she needed to primp for in the middle of a class period, I had no clue. She was standing in her signature high heels and mini skirt. I evilly wished she would trip and fall at least once. Maybe then she would get the clue that stilettos weren’t meant for school.

“Well if it isn’t the whore of Bainbridge High,” she sneered.

“Funny. I was going to say the same about you.”

“I don’t steal people’s boyfriends.”

“No. You just spread your legs for them. Do you at least ask for dinner first?”

Her eyes narrowed and I noticed her fist ball at her side. “When Keiran is done with you, I will make you sorry.”

“Too late. I’m already sorry.”

“You think you’re special but you’re not. He just wants to fuck you for whatever reason. You’re not even pretty.”

“Gee thanks. Maybe he wanted a change of scenery. Something less shallow.”

She narrowed her eyes and placed a hand on her hip. “Did you just call me fat?” she huffed.

I choked back a laugh. Wow, she really is an airhead. “I’m sorry. What was I thinking?”

“Whatever. Stay away from Keiran. He’s mine.”

“That’s kind of hard when he can’t seem to stay from me. But I’ll tell you what…you can keep him and when I’m through with him I’ll toss him back.”

“You’ll never get the chance. Trevor has something planned for you, and Keiran will be all mine again.”

I managed to maintain a bored expression. She was watching me closely for a reaction but I refused to give her one. “You let me know how that works out for you, will you?”

“Bitch,” she spat. She charged for the door and bumped my shoulder on the way out.

As I was walking back to class, I received a text message from Jesse saying that he wanted to talk. I chose not to respond. I had to distance myself from him and anyone else Keiran could use to hurt me. Besides, there was nothing Jesse could do to help me and while we’d grown close, I didn’t feel comfortable discussing Keiran with him.

When the last bell finally rang, I walked outside and found Keiran, Keenan, Dash, and Quentin all standing around Keiran’s car. I had been wondering how I would get home when Keiran didn’t show up for fifth period. Willow was there but after what happened Saturday night and the phone call, I felt too guilty to look her in the eye much less ask for a ride home. Keiran would also likely find out that I disobeyed him again. It all made me question once more if I was doing the right thing. The ending fate of the dead girl in the picture told me I was.

As I approached the car the guys stared at me but I didn’t let my nervousness from their scrutiny show. I lifted my chin and walked up to Keiran. “Take me home,” I ordered.

The guys chuckled as if I just told a joke while Keiran watched me but didn’t say anything. I tightened my hand on the strap of my bag and met his stare but a few seconds later I started to waver. He wanted me to squirm and damn it, it was working. He managed to pick away my defenses and toss them away.

“Your girl doesn’t have any manners,” Dash commented. Keiran rubbed his chin where his stubble was growing thicker and grunted.

“I think she does it for attention,” Keenan quipped.

“You would know all about begging for attention wouldn’t you?” Keenan was a walking advertiser for a kid with daddy issues. He played the rebel and the whore but I saw right through his act.

“Yeah, but I don’t beg as well as you do,” he said smugly.

My face reddened at the reminder of Keiran and me in the kitchen the other day. I still couldn’t believe Keiran allowed him to watch us but then Keiran didn’t have any warm feelings toward me. I was just another girl that spread her legs for him. “You’re a perverted –”

“Enough,” Keiran commanded. “Get in the car.” He opened his door and pushed the seat forward so that I could climb in the back.

Once seated in the car, he slammed the door closed. I tapped my foot impatiently while he continued to talk to his friends. I pulled out my phone to text my aunt. My worry for her kept me checking in with her more frequently than was normally necessary.

The school parking lot was nearly empty by the time he decided to leave. He and Keenan climbed in the car and we sped out of the parking lot. I watched the town pass by through the window and tried not to listen to their conversation. Keenan was yet again talking about some hot chick that wanted to bang him. I honestly didn’t know what Sheldon saw in him. He was a pig.

My body wasn’t accustomed to all the sex I had over the last twenty-four hours so I leaned my head back against the seat and closed my eyes and before long I had fallen asleep.

Somewhere between sleep and wake, I felt the car stop and heard a door open. I reluctantly opened my eyes and when I noticed I was home after all, I sat up with excitement. I thought for sure Keiran would lock me away in his house again where I could service him at anytime.

Keiran slid out of his car and lifted his seat. I eagerly stepped out and walked to the door without looking back or saying goodbye. As much as my body enjoyed what he did to me, I was exhausted. I unlocked the door and stepped inside but when I tried to close it he stopped it with a hand on the door.  I turned around in surprise to see him walk inside.

“I thought you were leaving?” I asked, nervously.

“Take your clothes off,” he ordered. His voice was husky and aroused as slowly shut the door and shed his shirt.

* * *

The disheartening thud of the door shutting after his departure echoed in my ears. I listened to him drive off from the couch where he left me naked, spent, and sore. Only when I couldn’t hear the sound of his engine anymore did I pick myself up from the couch. Before heading upstairs for a soak, I picked my clothes up from the hallway where they were discarded.

I felt many emotions but the one that was dominant was disappointment. He took me hard and then left without a word. It was pretty much the way he’d always treat me after he had me. He’d fuck me then ignore me. I may have been a virgin when we had sex but I wasn’t naive enough to think that this was normal.

My inexperience was caused in part because Keiran made it his mission to run off any guy that showed an interest in me…even the unpopular ones. My first kiss ended in a disaster because of him. I decided to join the Math club because I was good with numbers and hoped to make friends. Willow was the love of my life as far as best friends go but I couldn't smother her.

After two weeks in the club, Peter asked me out and I immediately accepted. He was nice and pretty cute. He also wasn't popular either so we understood each other, or so I thought. He asked to kiss me one afternoon as we were leaving from a meeting and I let him because I had never been kissed before. It was a simple, close-mouthed kiss that didn’t get far. I just didn’t realize that he had been watching us…

* * *

“ What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I heard a gruff voice bark. He sounded more intimidating than usual. I looked up to find a furious Keiran, sweaty, in his practice uniform.

We were right outside the gym doors and because of my eagerness, I didn't process the danger of sticking around too long. But what threw me off was that he wasn't looking at me. He was glaring at Peter who looked like he was trying to disappear into the wall. If looks could kill…

“Get the fuck out of here,” he snarled at Peter making him run off instantly. I blinked not believing how fast he was gone. I turned to leave not wanting to dance with the devil.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I stopped in my tracks but didn't turn around even when I heard him move closer.

“You” – he began but stopped and I heard a loud slam and I jumped, realizing he punched must have punched a locker.  Oh God. “Fucking look at me!” he roared. I slowly turned, terrified of what I might see. Keiran stood there – fists clenched, chest heaving. His jaw was clenched and I could see that a vein near his temple was throbbing.

He was furious.

Years of him bullying and taunting me, I’ve never seen him this angry, not even when he pushed me off the monkey bars. I was used to cool indifference…hatred even. But this…I didn't know and I wasn't sure I could handle him like this.

“You let him touch you.” He said the ‘touch’ with disgust as if it was hard to imagine someone liking me or even wanting me. I hugged myself for comfort, fighting back tears. I couldn't let him tear me down like this.

“Keiran plea –”

“Shut up,” he ordered. The first tear felt like acid as it burned its way down my face. “You don't get to say my name. Not now…not ever,” he sneered.

I sucked in a breath at the cold hatred spilling from him in waves… I was drowning in it, my tears over-spilling now. He turned abruptly and headed for the exit. I stood frozen in the middle of hallway when I heard tires squeal and knew it was Keiran taking off. I finally dropped to my knees sobbing as I felt a pain to my heart that I couldn’t describe. I felt like I betrayed him somehow.

The next morning I found out by some random girl in the hallway that I wasn’t a part of the Math club anymore. I tried going to the meeting that afternoon but apparently the meeting place moved. I didn't know what was going on but I always had a feeling Keiran was behind it.

Chapter Fourteen

After soaking in a hot bath to ease my sore and overused muscles, I gave in and called Willow. I needed to know if we were okay. The phone rang for a while and I almost gave up when she finally picked up.

“Yeah?”

“Hey, Willow.” I tried to sound normal despite the nervousness I felt.

“Hey,” she replied in a dry tone.

“I’m sorry about Friday night.” I struggled with the right words to say in my mind but the truth was I didn’t know what else I could say.

“That’s it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Cut the crap, Lake. You were getting ready to tell me something about Dash. What’s going on?”

“I can’t – I can’t tell you.” I knew it was lame but while I couldn’t tell her the truth, I couldn’t lie to her either.

“You can’t tell me?” she hissed. I could picture her standing with a hand on her hip and her eyes narrowed.

“It’s complicated, Willow. But you know I would never do anything to hurt you.”

“No, but apparently you would lie to me.”

“Willow…”

“Forget it.”

She hung up the phone and I sat there for a minute with my head in my hands. He’d done it. Keiran managed to break apart our friendship without doing much at all. I considered going over to her house and making her talk to me but I decided it was best to let her cool off. Besides, what would I say to her anyway? My phone pinged a few minutes later with a message from Jesse again.

Jesse: Let me help

 

Lake: How would you do that?

 

Jesse: We could tell someone…

 

Lake: I can’t do that and please don’t say anything. 

I silenced my phone and tossed it on the coffee table. Jesse was a good guy but Keiran was out of his league. Keiran wouldn’t see Jesse as a threat but rather another pawn to use against me. I busied myself with chores and homework to pass the time and take my mind off my sorrows.

Normally I would be at work but Keiran had screwed that up for me as well. The day after the incident I’d called Charlie who assured we were good but also said I couldn’t have my job back. The local owner apparently had gotten word of the fight and didn’t want me back. It was yet another thing Keiran managed to steal from me.

* * *

Two weeks passed quickly but nothing got better. In fact, everything just got worse. Willow wouldn’t talk to me, Trevor was watching me, and random girls kept picking fights with me. Just yesterday I was pushed against the lockers by one of Anya’s friends.

Keiran also changed…sort of. He ignored me completely in school now but every night he came for me. As backwards as it was, his nightly visits were the only time I didn’t feel alone. I also felt like the dumbest girl in the world because no matter how much he turned my world upside down, by body always welcomed him. Every time he touched me he took without giving anything in return. Sometimes I cried after we had sex but it wasn’t from physical pain. It was the suffocating feeling of hopelessness. Keiran had succeeded in making me his prisoner.

Chapter Fifteen

When Sheldon wasn’t busy with cheerleading and Keenan she made it a mission to break me out of my depression. My aunt was due back in three weeks and I welcomed the chance to feel safe at home again and not just because of the recent burglary. I’d decided to wait until my aunt got back to tell her about it. I didn't want her to worry or cut her tour short.

There wasn’t any way to explain the birthday card and photo to her since it was connected to Keiran somehow. Lucky for me I haven’t been dragged back to his house again since I found the gun and locket in his closet but that also meant I had no way of figuring out his connection to the girl.

I decided to leave that part out when I told her. I knew that keeping it all from her was dangerous and irresponsible but I needed her away from Six Forks as long as possible. I was sure Keiran would get tired of me soon. I’d never known him to be seen with one girl for long.

I was on my way to meet Sheldon at the local burger joint. I wanted to invite Willow but she still wasn’t talking to me. I felt a pain in my heart every time I saw or thought about her. When this was over, somehow I would make it all up to her.

The restaurant was jam-packed and I expected no less but Sheldon just had to pick here of all places to go. I walked in and scoured the place for her. The restaurant expanded a couple of years ago to accommodate the amount of occupancy the place experienced on Friday nights. It usually only lasted until someone decided to take the party to their house.

"Lake!" I looked behind me to see Sheldon pushing through the crowd looking extremely boho in a long, colorful maxi skirt with two splits in the front that made her legs peek out when she walked. She wore a dark green tank top and a long feather pendant. Her hair was in two braids with a thin headband to accessorize.

“You look like Willow,” I said, surprised.

“Thanks! We were talking about fashion the other day and Willow suggested this look when I told her I wanted to try something different.”

“How is she?” I asked and tamped down the jealous feeling.

“She misses you.”

“How do you know that?”

“She’s your best friend. Why wouldn’t she miss you?”

“I haven’t been a very good friend.”

“The thing about true friendships is that they are resilient as hell.”

I was about to respond when someone passing through the crowd bumped me. “Seriously of all the places, why here?”

"Come on, Lake. Don't be such a Debbie Downer. Where else would we go anyway?" I knew she was right. I just didn't like the possibilities of who I could run into.

"Are there any tables left?" I nearly had to scream to be heard over the music and people.

"Do you even have to ask? I was thinking, when they turn this into a house party, we should go."

I remembered the first and last time I went to a house party. Of course Keiran was there so it ended badly. Brian Lassiter, a senior in high school and the quarterback had struck up a conversation with me because his little brother was a fan of my aunt’s books. He wanted to know if he could get a signed copy for his birthday when Becky Daniels came out of nowhere screeching and hollering about me flirting with her boyfriend. When she slapped, I swung and hit her back and that’s when Keiran hollered that I was starting fights. The kids who house it was kicked me out and I was never invited back to a house party.

"Not a good idea.”

“Why not? Keiran hasn't been after you these past couple weeks so it should be safe right?”

Except when he sneaks into my bedroom in the dead of the night. “I don't know. Last time I barely escaped with my life.”

She rolled her eyes and said, “Now who’s being dramatic?”

“I don't want that kind of trouble or any trouble. Have you noticed lately that I am the target of so much hostility? The last thing I need is my aunt receiving a phone call saying that I got into a fight or worse ending up in jail.”

“But how better to show the big bad wolf that he can't blow your house down no matter how much he huffs and puffs?”

I laughed at her comparison to Keiran. She was such a cornball sometimes.

“And I know you're calling me names in your head,” she said. She looked truly offended which only made me laugh harder until she was laughing too.

“What's so funny?” Trevor asked as he walked up and hooked his arm around my neck. “Please share.”

My mood just committed suicide. “I'm sorry. It was a private joke in a private conversation shared between friends...privately.”

“You've picked yourself up a smart mouth but from what I hear Keiran is done with you so I would be careful about who you piss off,” Trevor threatened.

“You see you got the right idea about pissing people off. You should try it. Like now,” Sheldon retorted.

I laughed which only made Trevor angrier though it didn’t faze me. An angry Keiran made me want to run and hide, but an angry Trevor just annoyed me.

"No one is talking to you. Why don’t you worry about who your boyfriend is fucking besides you?” Sheldon’s nostrils flared and I knew his statement pissed her off.

“Sheldon…” I sniffed the air. “Do you smell that? It smells like...asshole.” Sheldon and I sniffed the air until we both turned eyes on Trevor. “Trevor I think it's coming from your direction. You should take care of that before it gets out of hand.”

We began to walk away when I felt a sharp pain rip from my skull. Trevor had grabbed me by my ponytail and flung me to the floor in a fit of rage. I hit the floor and the force of the impact dazed me.

“What did you say to me, bitch?" He charged towards me, his foot rising to kick me. I balled up to avoid the blow but it never came.

"Oh my gosh!” I heard Sheldon scream. When I looked up, Keiran was there and strangling Trevor, who was clawing at his hands to escape. He was turning blue and looked close to passing out.

He's going to kill him.

Keiran was finally torn away but it took Dash, Keenan and Quentin to stop him and hold him back. Trevor was fighting to regain his breath as Sheldon helped me up. Everyone in the restaurant was staring at Keiran as if he'd grown another head.

“What's your problem, man? You attacking me over her?” He spewed the words out with disgust as if I were the one with the problem. Keiran was still fighting to get loose and Keenan’s hold on him was slipping.

“He'd beat your ass for hitting any girl. I'd beat your ass. Half the guys in here would beat your ass,” Dash growled.

“But there is only one girl he would kill you for hitting,” Keenan added in a sinister tone.

“Why would you care? She set you up!”

Keiran went still instantly, his body tight with tension. I could see his jaw clenching and that infamous vein near his temple pounding a steady rhythm.

Keenan and Dash turned to Sheldon with questioning her silently. She shook her head no and I wondered what their silent communication was about. I figured now that Keiran was reminded he hated me this situation would dissolve immediately and they would all laugh at my expense. Instead they turned back to Trevor, who Keiran never took his eyes off of.

“Say man, how would you know who framed Keiran? How would you even know Lake did it?” Dash asked.

“Once again…innocent.” They looked at with raised eyebrows and I realized I must have said it out loud. Oops.

“Everyone knows she tipped them,” Trevor said, nervously. His eyes were flickering back and forth but never making eye contact.

They watched him squirm and then Keenan hopped to stand in one the chairs. He didn't have to worry about getting anyone’s attention because the entire restaurant was watching intently.  “Does anyone know what this piece of shit is talking about?” he yelled over the restaurant.

All heads shook no.

“The thing about tips are that they aren't released to the public,” Dash sneered.

“My dad told me. You—you guys know he's a cop,” he stuttered. I almost felt bad for him. Almost.

“Does your dad normally divulge confidential information? I'm pretty sure it's illegal,” Sheldon asked.

He narrowed his eyes at Sheldon and Keenan stepped up to him threateningly. “Watch where you point those motherfuckers like that before I rip them out of your head.”

Trevor looked down at the floor immediately. I didn't get it because he was bigger than all of them. I guess bigger didn't always mean tougher.

“Come on bro, you know how it is. There are perks to being the son of a cop. I know a lot of shit.”

“Like when our random drug searches are scheduled?” Dash asked.

Trevor’s face paled as his mouth opened and closed. He reminded me of a fish. “Are you trying to say I set Keiran up?”

The trio remained silent, his words resonating in the air. It felt like the truth. I looked over at Keiran who was eerily quiet and still. Trevor still didn't look at him.

“That's bogus, man! Why would I do that?”

“Yeah, why would you?” Keenan asked just as the chime from the entrance door sounded diverting my attention to it. The quietness of the restaurant made the simple chime seem like a bullhorn was blown.

Anya was sliding out the door. I frowned, wondering why she was leaving so quickly. All the gossiping she does and she volunteers to miss this?

“Alright, folks break it up.” Officers appeared along with Officer Reynolds who I know knew to be Trevor’s dad. People were scattering to leave but I was rooted to the spot.

“Son, what's going on here?” his dad questioned Trevor, while glaring at Keiran. I wanted to take a page out of Keenan’s book and rip the officer eyes out. Gosh Lake, could you be more of a dumb ass? The guy is your enemy.

“Nothing dad. We were just horse playing. It got out of hand.”

“Good boy.” Keenan mocked, earning Officer Reynolds glare now.

“You three, leave now. Son, I want you home. Don't talk to these boys anymore.”

“Excuse me?” Dash asked.

Officer Reynolds frowned at Dash, “Look boy, I don't care how much so-called power your daddy has,” he sneered. “I am not afraid of some little boy barely off his momma’s tit.”

A slow grin spread across Dash’s face. “We'll see about that – Dad or no.”

Officer Reynolds opened his mouth to speak when Keiran finally spoke. “We'll go. We wouldn't want anyone getting hurt, would we Officer?”

I had the feeling that Keiran wasn't speaking about himself or his cousin and Dash. I saw fear flash within Officer Reynolds eyes before he narrowed them and said, “That's right.”

Keiran and the guys left without another word spoken. He barely acknowledged me throughout the entire exchange. Sheldon and I left the restaurant soon after and since Sheldon was parked closer than I was so she took off immediately with a promise to call. I walked around the building toward the extra spaces where my car was parked and stopped short.

Keiran was sitting on the trunk of my car, head bent with his hands clutching his hair. I'd never seen him look anything less than cool and confident but now he looked stressed. I didn't make it too close to him before he lifted his head as if sensing me. He had a tortured look on his face while mine remained neutral.

“What are you doing?” I asked instead trying to appear indifferent.

“Waiting for you.”

He jumped down gracefully considering his legs were freakishly long and was now standing in front of me. He brushed my hair, which was now loose, back behind my ear and gazed at me softly.

“Take me home with you.” I flinched at his words, feeling confused.

“Why?” He dropped his hand the same time he dropped his mask, appearing cold and unobtainable again.

“Because I said so.”

* * *

“Start talking.”

We'd barely made it through the threshold when Keiran issued the command. He seated me across from him and stared me down. I felt like I was in an interrogation room instead of my living room. I didn't dare take him to my bedroom.

“That depends.” I fidgeted under his scrutiny staring at the floor.

“On?”

“What you want to hear.” I looked up at him and he growled but said nothing. “Right.” I looked down at the floor again, trying to count the stitches in the carpet. “Well why should I? You wouldn't listen before. Even that day in the cafeteria,” I stated and peeked up at him.

I knew I was acting like a three-year old and didn’t care. I wouldn’t let him intimidate me in my own home. My safe haven.

He frowned and I sighed.  “The day before you were arrested.” It pissed me off that he didn’t remember because I remembered it all too well.

* * *

I felt a chill run down my back and I wanted to run. This situation was making me uneasy and I didn't know how to respond. I took a deep breath and let out a single word, sealing my fate.

“No.”

His eyes narrowed as he grabbed my arm, squeezing hard. I cried out in pain as he brought his face down to mine. I turned my face away, unwilling to be so close to him. “You want to rethink that?” he asked threatening.

I shook my head vigorously.

“Listen you bitch –” he was cut off as my knee connected with his balls and he quickly released me, allowing me to run off before he could recover.

I ran out into the hallway quickly making my way to the cafeteria never stopping to think about the decision I’d made.

I had to warn him.

I burst through the cafeteria drawing the attention of everyone present as I headed to table Keiran always sat at across the cafeteria, facing my usual table. When I reached his table I was breathing hard. My hair was in disarray as I felt tendrils on my face and heavy strands around my shoulder escaping my ponytail. He watched me with a blank look as if he was bored.

“I need to speak with you.” I directed to him.

A few kids sitting at the table laughed at my request as I stared at him pleadingly. His cousin was there with his girlfriend, Sheldon, on his lap. Next to them was Keiran’s best friend and right-hand, Dash Chambers, the school’s richest playboy.

“Are you alri –” Keenan started to say before Keiran flashed him a quick look, silencing him. He turned back to me with a distant look appearing unaffected by my disheveled state.

“Go…away,” he simply said.

He was sprawled low in his chair, legs spread out, with both arms stretched across the empty chairs on each side of him. He looked as if he didn't have a care in the world as he gazed at me under his lashes.

“Please Keiran, this is important.”

“I told you before. You don't get to say my name. Last chance – leave.” I tried again, my heart beating fast. This wasn’t going to end well.

“I need you –” He leapt out of his chair so fast it flew back. A split second later he regained himself and casually sauntered over to me with a predatory swagger that made me feel hunted.

“You need me?” he chuckled darkly as he circled around me. Don’t do this...please. I hung my head low, knowing what was coming.

“I thought I told you last time I didn't want your services. I can get fresh pussy for free.” He sniffed the air as if he could smell something foul. He then leaned into my ear but stated loud enough for everyone to hear, “You stink.”

The cafeteria had grown eerily quiet by now watching what was happening. The bell had already rung, signaling the end of the lunch period and the start of another, but no one moved.

He nodded toward my left arm where Trevor had grabbed me leaving a bruise. “Like it rough do you? Your last customer must have given it to you good.”

 

I’m not a whore.  I’m not.

“I guess not good enough since you had to come running to me immediately after.” He stopped circling me, coming to a stop in front of me. “You must be insane Monroe; I wouldn't touch you with a 10-foot fake dick, but maybe Peter could help you out. It looked like he really enjoyed your skills last time.”

I could hear laughter and a shocked gasp in the distance as once again, I felt tears fall. Crying was a daily occurrence for me; sometimes I didn't even notice them. At that moment, I wanted to die thinking it would be the only way to escape.

“Lake!” I heard my name but didn't have the mental strength to lift my head. Light, footsteps approached me and I felt a gentle arm come around me guiding me to the exit.

“Lake, I’m so sorry, why did you come here?” I finally recognized Willow’s voice and lifted my head to find tears in her eyes.

“I had to try,” I whispered.

 

* * *

Recognition shown on his face and I sat back, curling my legs underneath me, waiting for him to say something. “You said you needed to talk to me,” he said.

“Yes.”

He rolled his eyes. “What did you need to say?”

“I knew you were going to be set up.” His jaw clenched and his breathing quickened and I wondered if he knew he was doing it. Being close to him those few days allowed me to see a lot. More than he was even aware.

“Is this a confession?”

“No.” More jaw clenching. “It’s chance.”

“Enough with the games!” he roared suddenly and sprung to his feet pacing back and forth.  “A chance for what?”

“A chance to tell my side! I’ve tried to talk to you – God – I tried to warn you! This never would have happened if you weren’t…such…a…prick.”

His eyes flickered before he slipped his mask back into place. “So it’s my fault? I didn’t ask to be framed.”

“It’s not your fault but you owe some responsibility to what happened.”