“Let. It. Go,” I whisper, though I know he hears every word. “Letmego.”
His grip on my hand tightens.
“Fucking never.”
His head lowers, and he buries his face in my hair, taking a deep breath.
Another tear rolls down my cheek.
“Please,” I whisper.
I think he hears the crack in my voice because a second later he lets go of my hand and steps back, taking his warmth with him.
And I hate it.
And then I hate myself even more for hating the fact that he’s no longer touching me.
I turn the knob and step out into the corridor.
I know he’s behind me. I can feel it. But he keeps his distance.
He doesn’t stop me, nor does he call after me.
I make it back to my dorm, unlock the door and step inside.
Before I close it, I glance back.
My eyes meet his.
Amber and hazel.
He’s there, tall and broad, just watching me.
A dark look appears on his face, one that turns even darker when he notices the tears in my eyes.
I see his hands clench at his sides as he takes a step towards me.
I shut the door before he can take another step and quickly turn the lock.
I press my forehead to it and hear a thud from the other side.
Shutting him out. Exactly where he should be.
And somehow hating myself a little more for it.
Chapter 19
Piper
I have been avoiding him.
For a few days now.
That doesn’t mean I don’t see him. He’s my professor, after all.
And I did spot him on the benches this morning while I skated, simply watching me from a distance with an unreadable expression on his face.
My ribs still hurt, but after a restless night, I took a double dose of painkillers and stepped onto the ice anyway.
