Page 58 of Backstroke

“Stop it, both of you! Fuck, Remy. What’s your problem?”

Remy pauses, his hand hovering in mid-air, his eyes narrowing at Nix, then he drops it to his side. Both of their faces are bleeding. I think Remy busted Nix’s lip, but he definitely got a decent hit in himself. The whole scene makes me sick to my stomach.

Remy doesn’t answer, but his fury slowly recedes, replaced by a simmering resentment. He looks at me, his gaze intense, before finally turning away and stalking off down the hallway, disappearing around a corner.

“I’m Gray,” he sighs, his shoulders slumping with relief. “Are you alright?” he asks, his voice full of concern. “Do you need anything?”

“You’re Lyndsy’s brother?” I don’t think I mean it to come out as a question, more of a realization.

He chuckles, running his hands through his blond hair. “I am. And you must be Fallon.” I nod, not really knowing what to say and desperately wanting to get out of this house before I collapse on the floor in a quivering mess from the looming panic attack.

“I’m just going to go.” I point to the open front door, my escape. He nods in understanding. I take one last look up the stairs, equally hoping to see him and to not.

“We’ll take care of him,” he reassures me, making me thankful that he has friends who understand him. Even if he just punched one of them. “Don’t give up on him. He’s never cared for someone the way he does you.”

My stomach churns at his words. Even as I flee this house, even as I’m terrified of Remy’s obsession, Gray’s words linger. The truth of his statement weighs heavily on me. Remy is different with me, his intensity palpable, and his possessiveness unnerving.But is it love?Is it obsession? Both?

I turn back, the front door a mere escape route, and look at Gray. He stands there, his expression a mix of worry and hope. He’s Remy’s best friend, the one who understands him better than anyone. But he’s also the one who witnessed Remy’s anger firsthand, the one who knows how volatile he can be.

“I don’t know,” I breathe, my voice a mere mumble. “I’m scared.”

“He’s scared too,” Gray replies, his voice gentle. “He’s afraid of losing you. That’s why he acts like he does.”

His words feel like a double-edged sword. They offer an explanation, a glimpse into Remy’s turmoil, but they also make me question my own feelings.Is my fear justified? Or am I dismissing something real, something deeper, something that could be genuine?

“Thanks,” I murmur before I turn on my heels and head out of the front door. The cool morning air hits my face and I take in a deep breath, hoping to calm my nerves.

“Breathe, Fallon,” I whisper to myself. Everything starts to close in around me. My chest tightens like a vice, squeezing the air from my lungs. I clutch at my shirt, desperate for a full breath, but each one feels shallow and strained. My heart races, each beat louder and more insistent, like a drum in my ears.

The world begins to spin, the edges of my vision blurring. Cold sweat beads on my forehead, trickling down my temples. Myhands tremble uncontrollably, and I can feel the tears stinging my eyes, blurring my sight even more.

I press my back against the wall of their house, trying to ground myself, but the overwhelming sense of fear and helplessness only grows stronger. My thoughts spiral out of control, each one more frantic than the last.

“Dammit, breathe, Fallon,” I whimper, but the words feel hollow, lost in the chaos raging inside me.

I close my eyes, trying to focus on something—anything—to pull me out of this downward spiral. The noise, the sensation, the overwhelming pressure...it all builds to a deafening crescendo, and I feel like I’m about to be swallowed whole by it. My body sags against the house, slowly sliding down until I’m on my ass. I bury my face in my trembling hands as I suck in deep, labored breaths. It feels like an eternity of me sitting there until I can finally stand.

The walk back to my dorm is quiet. I didn’t want to ask where the keys were to my car. I’ll get them later, and the walk seems to help the anxiety that had been coursing through me.

I fall onto my bed as soon as I get to my room, hoping I can sleep the rest of the day away.

Twenty One

Remington

“Fuck!” I yell, kickingmy dresser and knocking everything over. I pace my room, tugging at my hair to find some relief from the swirl of emotions that threaten to consume me. A knock sounds on my door but I turn away. I don’t want to see anyone right now. Unfortunately, my fucking best friends didn’t get the memo.

“Remy,” Nix begins. Hearing his voice has me clenching my fists. When I stormed out of my room after Fallon, I lost control seeing his hands on her. I snapped.

“What?” I bark, looking out the window.

“Man, you need to calm down,” Gray steps in, his tone firm but concerned. “We get it, you’re pissed, but this isn’t helping anyone.”

I whirl around, glaring at them. “You don’t understand—“

“We do,” Nix interrupts, holding his hands up. “We know you’re all tied up over Fallon, but is it just this obsession or more?” These guys know me, and they know I’ve been out of control since my little fox stormed into my life.

“It’s both,” I groan. “She’s…different. Fuck that sounds so cliche but it’s the truth.” I shove my hands into my joggers as I continue to pace.

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