Page 232 of Tempting-
"Em said that?"
"Yeah. But that doesn't matter." His voice gets stronger. Like he's sure. "I am supposed to protect you from guys like me."
"What the fuck does that mean? You're strong and sweet and supportive—"
"I'm not the kind of guy you should love." Hurt streaks over his face. It seeps into his voice. But he stays strong. Confident.
"No, Brendon. You're exactly the kind of guy I should love."
He shakes his head. "I'm not."
"Well too fucking bad. I do love you."
"You shouldn't."
"And you should love me?"
"Kay—"
"No, you don't get to say my name like that." My fingers curl into fists. He's still standing there all strong and sure and stoic. Like he's doing this for me. But that's bullshit. This is the last thing I need. "Am I the kind of girl someone should love?"
"Kay—"
"Don't say my name like that!" My voice rises. It's too loud for the airport. People are staring. Even a security guard. I swallow hard. I force myself to be quiet. "How am I a girl you should love?"
"You're smart, strong—"
"I think about hurting myself."
"That's different."
"How?"
"It just is." He places one hand on my shoulder. Stares back into my eyes.
His stupid gesture is calming.
I hate that it's calming.
How can he calm me when he's ripping my heart out?
I stare back at him, daring him to explain, daring him to see what an idiot he's being.
He doesn't.
"It isn't different." I try to whisper, but my voice is still too loud. "If you're no good then neither am I. My brain is broken. I think about hurting myself. I might one day."
"You won't."
"You don't know that."
"I know enough."
I shake my head. "Why should anyone love a girl who might swallow a bottle of sleeping pills?"
He stares back at me.
"Is that it? You don't want to be with someone like me?"
