Page 104 of Arrogant Puck

“Not a big deal?” She stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Wow.”

The disbelief in her voice makes something ugly twist in my chest. “You’re being dramatic. I was protecting you.”

“Protecting me?” Her laugh is bitter. “You destroyed my career to protect me?”

“I fixed it! She walked away! I didn’t destroy shit!”

“She walked away to report you to HR! I had to quit to avoid being fired!”

Hearing the desperation and fury in her voice makes this real in a way that devastates me.

“You’ll find something else,” I say, not knowing what else to say.

“Will I?” She sets the water bottle down hard enough that it sloshes. “Because I had an apartment viewing today that I can’t afford anymore. I applied to jobs that probably won’t call back because I left my last position with no notice. I might have to move again, Slater.”

“No.” The word comes out sharp, final. “You’re not moving anywhere.”

“Excuse me?” she snaps.

“You heard me. You’re not leaving.”

She stares at me like I’ve completely lost my mind. “Why the fuck do you even care?” she seethes, throwing her hands in the air.

I can’t answer that question. Can’t explain the way my chest tightens at the thought of her leaving, the way this house already feels empty when she’s not in it. Can’t put into words the desperate need I have to keep her close.

That’s when she steps closer, her eyes narrowing. “Are you drunk?”

The smell of alcohol on my breath probably gives me away before I can lie. “So, what if I am?”

“So what?” Her voice rises. “You’re drunk and you think you can tell me what to do with my life?”

“I’m not—”

“Are you fucking high too?”

I reach for her arm, needing to touch her, to make her understand. “Sage, listen to me—”

She jerks away from me. “Don’t. Don’t touch me when you’re like this.”

“Like what?” The anger flares hot and immediate. “Like what, Sage?”

“Out of control, Slater!” Her voice rises, then drops to something more on edge. “You already know what real pain is like. Losing a brother... I can’t even fathom it, but this...” She gestures between us with shaking hands. “This thing between you and me is nothing compared to that loss, so don’t revert to old habits. Like are you fucking kidding me, Slater? How many pills did you take?”

The mention of Archer hits like a gut punch, sobering me for a split second before the rage takes over completely. “I didn’t take pills.”

“Great. Just fucking great,” she says, turning to walk away.

“Where the fuck are you going? We’re in the middle of talking.”

She whirls back around, her eyes blazing. “You’re fucking lying to me! And if you’re going to lie to me, I’m not talking to you!”

The accusation stings because it’s true. Because even now, even when everything is falling apart, I can’t stop trying to control the narrative. “I took two. Two oxy’s.”

She looks like I’ve slapped her, her face going pale before flushing with anger. “Why?”

“Because.”

“Because why?” Her voice is livid now, shaking with fury. “Because you couldn’t handle me ignoring you? Because your feelings got hurt?”

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