Page 15 of Desperate People

The rest of the Callahans can fuck right off. But Connor is good people. And marrying Clementine Aziz? It’s only made him better.

“You’re the one who turned her down,” he says, and just like that, the grin dies.

My jaw tightens. “I fucking know, asshole. Thanks for the reminder.”

There’s a pause on the line. Then his tone softens.

“Look, cuz, you know I’m just busting your balls. But maybe don’t keep pushing her away if you’re just gonna keep circling her like a goddamn predator, anyway.”

“I’m protecting her,” I snap.

“From what?”

I don’t answer. Because I don’t know.

Yet.

But I’ve learned to trust my gut, and it is twisted up in knots right now.

Fuck.

“Balor, look, you’re obsessed. It’s understandable. But this girl, she’s just another girl. Not this unattainable image you’ve built her up into?—”

“Okay, I’m hanging up now.”

“Balor—”

Click.

I hang up.

Connor’s right about some of it.

Not all.

But some.

And I fucking hate that he’s right.

All that shit about me building Lucy up into something unattainable? It irks me.

I mean, I’ve got proof of the contrary, don’t I?

She asked me out once. Me.

But I can’t even consider it.

No can do.

So, no, I won’t let myself go there.

But I can’t leave her alone either. Not entirely.

Not when there’s something dark moving beneath the surface.

Something I haven’t named yet.

Something that feels like it’s getting closer.

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