Page 18 of Only for Love

Ha. There’s a fucked-up logic I could never explain.

“You’re twice his size. Why?” She bites her bottom lip. “It doesn’t matter. You don’t have to—”

“Stop.” She’s pitying me. God, fuck me, she’s trying to map out some life solution for me. “You have to get out.” I choke on the shame. “Please. He wasn’t supposed to be here.”

“I’m so sorry.” Her shoulders slump, and her chin’s down.

Slowly, I shift and shake my head, a complete disgrace. “Take my car home. Give Ryan the key. We’ll just forget tonight…” Forget us because I’ll never be able to face her again. All over, I’ve gone from angry to embarrassed.

Pops stirs on the floor. I’m not going to be here when he wakes up, and neither is she. “Go, Ems.”

Tears brim in her eyes. We’re breaking apart before we ever started. Part of me wants to beg her to forget this side of me. Another part wants to rejoice that someone knows how deeply I hurt, but I shake my head. “It’s not supposed to be like this. It’s…”

I can’t sugarcoat an explanation. I grab my keys, force them into her hand, then drag Emma to the front door of the trailer I’ve never been able to escape.

“Please don’t—”

“Just go.”

She nods and obeys, leaving in silence. The front door slaps shut, and I punch the wall. I’m angry. Heartbroken. Devastated. And completely alone.

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