Page 76 of Make Me Scream
“N-no.”
“No, you didn’t. And that was rude, wasn’t it?”
“Yes-s.”
“Yes, it was. And let me tell you, puppy. I’m fuckingpissed.” I sink my teeth into his flesh, relishing in his high pitched yelp and the way his back bows, pushing his ass right into my dick.
I gnaw on his skin, grinding it between my teeth, ensuring it really fucking hurts before I release it. “And that’s only a fraction of the pain you’ve caused me. All I’ve gotten are a few measly texts and calls from you. Not even good enough for a kiss anymore, is that it, runt?”
“N-no,” he stammers, whimpering pathetically.
“No? Sure as hell seems like it to me.”
“It’s complicated.”
I burst into laughter, clutching Abel tight against my chest as I toss my head back and bark into the frigid, winter air. “Oh, it’s always complicated with you, Abel Silver.”
He slumps against me, but it’s not until I hear him sniffle that I loosen my hold slightly. “You don’t understand,” he tries to say.
“You’re right, I don’t.” I let him go and watch as he stumbles to regain his balance. He turns to face me, his face flushed from the cold, arms crossed over his chest. His piercings glint in the partly-covered sun, garnering my attention for a moment.
Sometimes, I forget just how ugly he is, how pretty it makes him, and how confusing I find it all.
“I want you to explain,” I urge.
“I can’t.”
“You can’t,” I deadpan.
“There are some things I can’t fucking tell you, Peris,” he snaps, back on the defensive.
“Oh, wow. That’s fucking great. What could be so bad that you can’t tell me?” I ask, throwing my arms in the air. “After everything and what I already know, hm?”
“What’s so bad?” His voice breaks on a laugh that makes my heart crack a little. “Maybe the fact I’m living with my fucking mother, who hates me, and her new boyfriend, who’s a fucking creep, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it, so I don’t want to fuckingtalk about it!” he screams, cheeks puffed out and chest heaving. When he’s finished, he drops his arms, shoulders slumped.
I blink at him, mouth agape for a moment before I rush forward and draw him back into my arms, much gentler this time, even as my chest stews with a new kind of venom—the kind that burns with the desire to strike with a deadly accuracy.
“Fuck, runt. Why didn’t you just say so?” I say after a moment, fingers having found respite in his hair.
“Because it won’t change a thing,” he mutters before pulling away and grabbing a pack of cigarettes out of his bag. I stare wide-eyed before glaring, but I still don’t stop him as he grabs one of his lighters and sparks it to light one. He takes a long drag, blonde lashes fluttering against his cheekbones as he inhales.
By the time he exhales, his world seems to have righted itself once more and my runt is back.
“You’re doing really well this season,” he says conversationally, dropping down on the chunk of concrete beside me. He offers me his smoke, but I shake my head. He shrugs. “More for me.”
“You wanna talk about basketball?” I ask dryly, scratching the back of my hand as I look out at the parking lot.
“Well, yeah. You play; I cheer. Why not?”
“Abel…”
“Don’t, Peris. Just fucking don’t for once.”
“Fine,” I snap. “Yes, I’m doing great. Ma actually texted me earlier and told me I got something in the mail from Arlow University, so I’ll open that when I get home.” I reach up and grip the back of my neck, fighting an annoying rush of heat.
“Holy shit,” Abel says softly before he jumps up, cigarette falling from his lips. “Holy shit!” He whirls around and jumps right into my lap. “You got it! You got the scholarship!”
“Woah, fuck!” I reach back to catch myself before we both tumble backward into the gravel. “Shut up,” I mutter. “We don’t know that.” The heat intensifies on my face.
