Page 55 of Make Me Scream
I was so fucking stupid…
When I begin to pull away, she plants her hands on my biceps, keeping me still until I meet her eyes. “And keep your phone.” When my brows pinch, she continues, “You need a way to communicate with people, and it’s yours, anyway. I don’t want you to stress about that. So, keep the phone with you. I’llpay the bill, so don’t worry about that,please.I would have paid, regardless, because you were supposed to be here, anyway, yeah?” She says that part softer, rubbing her thumb along my cheek, catching a stay tear. She wipes it away like it never existed, and I sniffle, turning away in shame.
She lets me go with a shaky breath—and in the next second, Lucy is honking her horn, setting the tone for the next two months of my fucking life.
Survive, Abel.
You just have to survive a little while longer.
“I guess it’s time, then?” she bites out, plastering on a fake smile.
I nod, rolling my eyes, even as I straighten my shoulders. “Guess so.”
“Peris, would you mind?—”
“Already planned on it, Ma.”
“Thanks, babe. Abel, please call me if you need absolutelyanything.Day or night.”
I won’t—and I think she knows that—but I nod anyway as I roll my shoulders, sinking back into the skin I thought I had long left behind. It still fits like a fucking glove, and if that’s not a relief…
“Sure thing, doc,” I shoot her a wink, and she gives me the saddest smile I’ve ever seen.
I pretend it doesn’t hurt.
My bag is light between my fingers as I pick up the frayed strap and sling it over my shoulder. Peris grabs the duffle and follows me out of the front door—silent in our departure—until we reach the end of the sidewalk.
It’s bitterly cold—Christmas is two measly weeks away. Ice clings to the concrete, making it slick as I meander around it, and snow weighs down the grass. But it glistens in the sunlight, appearing like tiny little crystals. It’s beautiful and blinding.
I look away, shivering in the coat I got but rarely ever wear as the wind gusts and blows my hair around.
“You have your phone, right?” Peris asks.
“Yes, Peris.” I roll my eyes, unable to help it.
“Good. Please fucking use it,” he says, unable to meet my gaze.
“I will, baby boy. Mustn’t forget to text you, hm?” He stops walking and drops the bag to the ground to grab my shoulder and yank me back, clearly not giving a fuck thatbothof our mothers are watching.
I guess we’re finally doing this.
“Don’t fucking play with me right now, runt,” he snarls, getting close enough to my face, I can taste the mint of his toothpaste as it marries with the frigid air we share. It makes my eyes roll back.
“But I love playing with you, baby,” I purr, pulling my bottom lip in between my teeth. Peris steps forward and wraps his large hand around the back of my neck, drawing me close. He twines his fingers into my hair and yanks, making me yelp.
“And I love playing with you, puppy. But right now, I’mnot.” His tongue traces the shell of my ear, and Imelt for him.“Use your damn phone, do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” I moan, shivering.
“Good.” He releases his hold but not before drawing my mouth to his and kissing me harshly. My eyes widen before fluttering closed in bliss as our lips mold together. My bag slips from my shoulder and falls to the ground as my arms wind around Peris’s neck. I reach on my tiptoes to get as close as possible, pressing my front to his.
He grunts when my crotch grinds into his, but it’s more of an innocent touch than anything. A simple desire to connect and feel one another.
“I’m gonna miss you, baby boy,” I murmur against his mouth, hating the grating noise of Lucy interrupting us. Peris’s hold on my waist tightens, too, and I smile sadly at that.
“You’ll see me at school tomorrow,” he reminds me, but it’s almost as if he’s trying to remind himself, too.
“Not the same.” I’m pouting. I didn’t expect it to hurt like this, but… fuck.
