Page 16 of Love Unavoidable
It’s just Aaron. Relax, Sadie.
I can’t relax.
“Aaron, can you loosen your hold, please? I’m having a hard time breathing.”
His arms tighten further. “I can’t. I should have never let you go, Sadie. And now I have you in my arms again, and it’s our song. God, Sadie.” His voice breaks. “This should be us, dancing at our wedding. Fuck. Please.” He buries his head in my neck. I can hear him sniffling. I can feel wetness. Snot? Tears?
Fuck. He’s crying.
I can’t do this.
“Aaron, I can’t breathe.”
He shakes his head.
He’s not letting me go. I need out. Now.
I push harder at his chest, then pull back my fist and hit him on the shoulder. He lifts his head and looks down at me, his eyes red and cheeks streaked with tears.
“Please let me go. I need to go,” I whisper.
“To the guy? Are you going to fuck that guy, Sadie? We are barely even broken up. Have you been fucking around? Is that why you can’t marry me?” His voice rises. I look around wanting to make sure people aren’t hearing this or watching. Ethan is heading toward the dance floor, his face angry.
“Aaron—” I start.
“Fine, Sadie. It’s fine, you can sleep with whoever you want whenever you want. I
won’t like it, but I’ll do it for you. If that’s what you want. Please, just come back to me.”
I shake my head. Tears well in my eyes. “No, Aaron. It’s not that. I can’t do this right now. I feel like I am suffocating. Please, just let me go?”
Literally and emotionally.
My pulse quickens, my throat tightens, I can’t catch my breath. I feel like someone is pushing on my chest.
“Aaron, let go.” I push at him again, but his hands are clasped tightly behind my back, there is no breaking free.
Panic sets in. It’s irrational, I know. Logically I am fully cognizant that Aaron won’t hurt me. I am in no danger. Yet, that does nothing to calm me. This is like pushing against a brick wall hoping it will bend.
“Please, Aaron,” I breathe. “Please—” My head spins. Everything around me is going black. Tiny little lights exploding behind my eyelids. Pressure compressing my lungs.
“Aaron . . . I need.” I try to take deep breath to control my emotions which seem to be all over the place, but I can’t get any air.
“Aaron, please.” I summon all my strength and push once more. “FOR FUCK’S SAKE, LET ME GO!” Finally, his hands force apart. But it took me screaming and pushing with all my might for it to happen. Right as the song is transitioning to a new one. So everyone hears me. Which is convenient since that is when I fall, bouncing the back of my head off the edge of a guest table before it hits the floor.
