Page 92 of In the Danger Zone
“M-My whole life I’ve been dealing with this,” she said. “I know I’m a target. M-My stutter is a weakness. An obvious one.”
“It’s not a weakness,” I quickly said.
“Except it is to other people.” She raised her eyebrows up at me. “I don’t think it is. But other people hear it and they know they can hurt m-me when they b-bring it up. They m-make fun of it or talk about it b-because they know it’llhurt, Evan.”
My eyes shut when she said. “I get that… And… And I shouldn’t have… Daisy, I’m so sorry. I let Asher say that because…”
“B-Because it was the worst thing someone could say to m-me. You know that. I know that. B-But he said it anyway and youlaughed.”
“I know it’s not an excuse, but I was pissed. I’m a fucking asshole and I have no control over my emotions. I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry about everything you’ve had to deal with. People teasing you because of your stutter, Asher hurting you. Fuck, Asher nearly killing you,” I hissed at that point. Fuck,Iwas gonna killhim. I really was. “I’m a stupid prick for hurting you and not taking your side. But I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.”
Daisy rolled her eyes. But she moved closer. Just that little bit. But only so she could slide her key into her door. Was she going inside? Because I needed to look at her longer. It had been so long since I had her near me and I was desperate to have her by my side. I needed to feel her. I had to pull her close to me so I could try and get rid of that pain.
She wasn’t going to let that happen, though. And I couldn’t hold it against her.
“You don’t get it,” Daisy said, pushing open her door. “What happens if we get b-back together and we get into another fight?”
I frowned at her. “What do you mean?”
“Are you gonna b-bring up m-my stutter? If you and m-me are in each other’s faces, arguing for whatever stupid reason, is that what you’re gonna do? Huh? Are you gonna m-make fun of m-me for the way I talk? Are you gonna stand there and laugh in m-my face like you and your friends did? Are you gonna ask m-me if I can talk faster? Ask m-me I can keep up? M-Mimic me? Finish m-my sentences for m-me? Did you forget all that research you did when we first m-met?” Every word she said had some venom to it. Daisy never talked like that. Ever. She was usually so soft, so kind, so patient. But now? Now I had ruined that.
“I wouldn’t do that,” I murmured. “I’m an idiot. I know that. But I don’t ever wanna hurt you like this again, Daisy. I shouldn’t have believed him and I shouldn’t have laughed and let him say that shit. If you give me another chance, I promise you, I won’t ever mess up like this again. If you give me a second chance, I’ll never hurt you. Please. Please, Daisy.”
Daisy kept her hand on the doorknob. She looked at me with those big, wet eyes. She should have been smiling. God, I wished so bad that she was smiling.
“Do you remember that conversation we had?” she asked. “At that m-mixer? At the start of the semester?”
“Yeah, I remember.” I nodded at her.
“You told m-me that I shouldn’t let people disrespect m-me.”
My heart stopped. “I… I know, baby, and it’s true. You shouldn’t let people treat you bad. Ever.”
“You’re just like them.” Daisy shrugged. “You’re one of those people who thinks they’re b-better than everyone. You think you can say and do whatever you want. M-Maybe I should do the same.”
“Daisy.Please.”
“I’m n-not letting people who disrespect m-me control me,” she said, voice so clear. “Or m-make m-me feel b-bad and hate m-myself. I deserve b-better than that. And I’m so tired of hating m-myself, Evan. Do you know how tiring that is?”
It was like a million punches to the face and the gut all at the same time. Daisy wasn’t hiding how much pain she was in. I could hear it in her voice. I couldfeelit. I could see it on her face. It was right there in her eyes.
“Daisy…” I stepped forward, but Daisy quickly moved into her dorm room. I heard the tiniest cry escape her lips.
She shut the door in my face, and I knew there was no point in knocking. Everything she said was true. Every last thing. I pressed my forehead against the door, waiting and hoping that she’d open it right up and let me pull her into my arms. But there was nothing but silence on the other side.
But that was what I deserved.
Chapter 41
EVAN
Asher Callaway was gonna die tonight.
I was going to bring him as much pain as he brought Daisy. She had every right to slam the door in my face. That didn’t mean I still didn’t want her. Or love her. Fuck, I loved her so much. I did. I should have said it to her. But she didn’t want a damn thing to do with me.
But I’d fight for her. I would. For the rest of my life. And I would also make sureAsherknew thatIknew he was a lying, little prick.
Taking long strides further into the bar, I didn’t stop walking until I came to the booth we had been sitting at last week. The guys were all there, including the one I was about to make bleed. I let them laugh her right out of the locker room, all because of the entitled fucker that was sitting before me. Asher was downing a drink. Tanner and Colton were in the booth as well, along with a sober looking Hudson. Our captain didn’t touch alcohol.
