Page 164 of Give Me Love

Heartbroken.

Disappointed.

He stands with his hands in his pockets and a face so handsome I could cry.

I stare into his eyes with a look that saysI’m not up for this today. I walk away from the door and continue what I was doing.

“Where are you going?”

“I’ve got something I have to do.” I zip the pocket up and turn around to face him, seeing his eyes on my packed bag.

He adjusts his backwards snapback. It’s then I realize he actually looks as shitty as I feel. His eyes are bloodshot tired. His face is rugged, and his skin is just as pale as the last time I saw him.

“Can we talk?” he asks.

“Talk about what?”

“Don’t play dumb, K. You know what.”

I kinda laugh. “Sorry, I’m just trying to figure out which part you’d like to talk about.”

“All of it.”

I turn to him. “Okay. Tell me all of it.” I cross my arms, waiting for him to spill.

He looks hesitantly at me, and I see his Adam’s apple dip when he swallows. “I’ve been a wreck. I know I overreacted about my mom.” He looks at me. “It wasn’t your fault. I’m sorry I made you feel that way.”

“Thank you,” I reply firmly.

“I lost my phone. I went on a drinking binge—”

I interrupt him, “Is that what you’ve been doing these past two weeks? Drinking? You look like shit.”

His lip lifts and he looks down my body. “Yes,” he says. He makes chills chase each other across my skin. No matter how mad I am at him, when he looks at me like that, I forget words, I forget what matters, I forget myself.

But then I take in his dark eyes and pale skin. I see the sweat on his brow, and from here I can smell the alcohol swimming throughout his veins.

The boys like to point fingers, but from an outsider’s point of view and from what I’ve learned about the family, I can tell you now they both have taken on some of their mother and father’s bad habits.

I just hope it doesn’t take them down, like it has their parents. Better yet, I hope it doesn’t take me down.

“What else?” I ask.

Shame washes over his handsome features. He frowns. “I tried heroin.”

“What?” I rush out.

“I was drunk and stupid. So, so stupid. I didn’t think…”

I reach over and grab the strap from my bag. “I can’t do this with you.” I shake my head. “I can’t do this.”

“Tell me where you’re going.”

“I don’t think that’s any of your business, Bryce.” My voice is harsh, and I’m beyond pissed at this man. He tried heroin? Good God. Who is he?

“How can you say that to me?”

“How can I say that?” I step forward. “You don’t get to stand here and act like you’re the victim in this situation.” I poke his chest with my finger. “You did this. You hurt me. You don’t get to act like you didn’t.” My eyes go to the ceiling, and I fold my lips. “I’m not sure what we were thinking.” I look back at him. “This would have never worked. You’re fucked up. I may be worse, and together we’ve got enough baggage to fill a goddamn airport. We should have just kept it simple. We should have stayed friends.”

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