Page 129 of Wallflower

“Then spit it out, Rose, you’re freaking me out.”

“Whatever you say, I’ll believe you,” I offer.

I’ll know if he’s lying. Though, either way, I’ll have the answer. “Did she do something to you? Something you may not have liked…may not have…wanted?” I feel like such a fucking idiot as soon as the words are out of my mouth. The chances of a man being assaulted are probably slim, but it can happen. Even by someone they’re seeing, or fucking around with—as he put it.

Ripley looks away from me, glaring at the fucking door like it’s personally offended him.

In that moment, I know I’m right.

If he outright lies to my face, it’s because I haven’t done my part to make him feel safe. Like he can share anything with me, no judgements.

Given our situation, it’s been kind of hard to build a foundation that wasn’t based on sex and human contact. I’ve shared more with him than anyone before. I only want him to feel the same, but not if he’s not ready.

He bolts from the bed, making a beeline to the door. Not bothering to answer the question I no longer need an answer to.

“Don’t you dare fucking leave.” The words rumble out of me in a tone that freezes him in his steps.

Rip whirls on me, the air around him thrumming with rage that spans a lifetime. “Why? It’s my fucking house, I’ll do what I please.”

I know a diversion when I see one, he’s trying to sidestep the subject.

Shantel wants us to fight about her, inject her name into every conversation as a way to keep her in his thoughts and drive a wedge between us. She’s hoping when we inevitably fight, he will go to her for comfort and companionship. Where she’ll welcome him with open legs, listening intently with a string of ‘I told you so’s’ a mile long.

The words almost pour from my lips as a way to keep him here, show him how fucking vile she is.

But he knows that.

I refuse to give her any more power over him than she already has.

I’ve dealt with abusers of every variation my whole life, and I know how to handle them.

Rip won’t have to fight this battle alone.

He scoffs, annoyed with my silence, hand reaching for the knob.

“Because I don’t want you to,” I finally say, determined not to bring that bitch in anymore than she’s already infiltrated.

“Why?”

“Why do I want you to stay?”

“Mhmm.”

“What a ridiculous question.”

“Answer it.”

“Because I care about you, and feel bad for upsetting you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, is that so hard to believe?”

He doesn’t move an inch, but he’s not leaving either.

“Look, I’m sorry if I said something I shouldn’t have.” My hands knot nervously in my naked lap as a chill rattles through me. “I just thought something, and I shouldn’t have pushed.” I lift my eyes to his when I hear his bare feet shuffling across the room.

“What did you think?” He looks down at me, dark strands of hair framing his face in the hottest of ways.