I’m so caught up in my plans of revenge that I barely hear Susie’s low whistle.
“That sounds ominous and a little goofy if I’m honest,” she teases. “But you do you, Lan. I’m off to work, okay?”
I don’t respond. I’m too busy marinating in the anger, the misery building inside of me.
Maybe I should try seeing my therapist again. I really do not feel well. All of this push and pull with Nathaniel and the situation with Julian, is opening a plethora of emotions that I’ve been so decent at hiding.
I haven’t felt this down since… well, since the last time Julian and I got into a fight.
And now there’s Nathaniel, who is absurdly obsessed with me and my gift, even though I neverharmanyone with it. I swear, he thinks he’s the Batman of all superpowers.
My mind is reeling, but the clock is hitting ten, and I still haven’t gone to the gym.
Cardio should cool me off, right?
Wrong. By the time I’m leaving the gym, sweaty as all hell in my beater and my shorts, I’m still losing it.
Would it be weird to call Julian? I think just hearing his voice would make me feel better. I mean, we were best friends long before we were anything else, and I need that.
I need my best friend.
But I also know it’ll only hurt to hear him right now, so soon after imagining him with Atlas. Does he bottom for Atlas? Does he love the way his skin feels, the way he used to enjoy mine?
God, Ireallyneed to get laid.
As I push back the front doors of the gym, I spot a very familiar street bike in one of the closest parking spaces.
“Landon.”
Oh, motherfucker. I can’t seem to go a single day without running into Nathaniel. Can he gohomealready?
I turn, finding the man himself leaning against the building, his eyes bright as he stares me down.
“No silly cowboy hat today?” I ask, my tone bland and disinterested.
He doesn’t take the bait. Instead, he says, “You’re coming with me.”
I’m sorry, what? And why is he moving closer to me?!
“No way in hell will that be happening,” I reply easily, turning to head toward my car.
A large hand wraps around my bicep, my back slamming into a firm chest.
“When your stalker says to do something, you do it. Didn’t Daddy teach you how to respect your elders?” Nathaniel clicks his tongue, an annoying and alluring sound.
“He taught me a lot of things,” I mutter. And then I concentrate on the source in my chest, on filling the air around me with my own desires, and I speak. “Let me g—”
A hand clasps over my mouth, stifling my words.
“Your gift isn’t very useful if you can’t speak, is it?” he growls, digging his fingers into my skin. “If you try to manipulate me again, I’ll rip your tongue out, got it?”
The threat makes me shiver. The way he says it, I think he might be serious. I’ve never heard him quite this angry before.
“Nod if you understand,” he pushes, gripping me tighter.
So I nod. Not because I’m obedient, but because Nathaniel was wrong. Icanrecognize someone who is stronger than me.
“Good. Now get on the bike,” he adds, removing his hands from my body.
