Page 74 of Fatality

“You don't get to talk about how important I am to people without knowing them! Without knowing anything!” I shout. “And I didn't reject you. I'm just not in the mood.”

I stalk over to the couch and sit down, grab my broken comm and scroll.

He doesn't know—I never told him about my family—but I'm mad anyway.

Hearing anyone mention my parents is enough to trigger me.

I should tell him, but I don’t want him to know that my family is fucked up.

That I am.

“Fine.” He sighs. “I'm sorry. I was just so worried.”

He follows me and sits beside me, cups my cheeks, forcing me to look at him before kissing me deeply.

I don't answer at first, I don't want to.

He breaks the kiss.

“Don't be mad.” He kisses my cheeks and nose.

“Mm.”

He kisses me again, and this time I kiss him back.

He pushes me down onto the couch, lying me back with him on top of me.

His hands slide from my cheeks to my waist.

I'm not in the mood, but if it helps him feel better...

His comm buzzes, and his mother's name flashes in the air.

“Fuck.” He sighs. “I have to go. I'm sorry again. But I'm serious—I can't lose you. I won't. You're mine.”

He says it with such deadly seriousness that a chill spreads across my skin.

With that, he leaves.

I stay lying on the couch, stunned, wondering why he's acting like this.

I don't want to distance myself from him but I need to protect him.

It's a fucked-up way of thinking, but after my parents spent years blaming me for Kyle's death, I unconsciously push people away, convinced I'll only end up hurting them.

It's sad, really.

Thinking I can handle everything on my own, keep it all bottled up inside.

But Jules and Charlie have known me since the accident. They've seen me at my worst and never left.

I'm really glad for that.

These last few days—This entire week--has drained every ounce of energy from me.

I'm completely exhausted.

I turn on the Smart Panel and choose a horror movie.