Page 130 of Make You Mine

My eyes widen. I did it—I finally took what I promised myself I would all those years ago. I made Madelyn mine, and my chest squeezes with the thought of possibly losing her now, letting her slip through my fingers.

I can’t let that happen.

I close what distance is left between us, hovering over her, and lift her chin with my thumb. “Please, Little Demon. I won’t blame you if you want to call the police after we talk. I’ll accept my fate. But you wanted to hear my side of the story, and I’m willing to give you that.” I pause. “I don’t want to live the rest of my life knowing you think I did all this to hurt you when it’s the opposite. I’m fucked up. I may even be a monster. But I never ever meant to hurt you. Not back in high school, not in college, and not now.”

“Then what were you doing? Why should I listen to your excuses?”

“Because I may be a fuck up, an anti-hero, the fucking villain of your story, but I love you, Madelyn.” The words don’t feel real. “And this is my fucked up way of loving you.”

She scoffs, attempting to pull away. Her eyes divert, not wanting to meet mine. “I hate you.”

I turn her face to look at me, grab her jaw so she’s craning her neck and staring at me, really seeing me.

“You should hate me. I deserve that. But I also think you should know that”—I take a deep breath, ready to let everything out—“I would burn the world down for you if you’d ask me. Hell, I’d jump in front of a fire for you. I’d let you use me as a human shield if we were in the apocalypse, overruled by zombies.”

I laugh at my stupid words. I suck at this, but I’m trying my best to convey this swirling of emotions inside me.

“You’re everything to me, Little Demon.” I’ve never spoken truer words. “I sought you, craved you, I wanted to have you so bad. I’ve been through a lot of shit in my life, but among all the chaos, you’re my lifeline. The one star that’s shining bright in the dark sky that’s my heart. And you know I fucking hate stars. I do—but you’re the only exception.”

Maddy gasps and my heart races with that little reaction.

“I’m in love with you. I think I’ve been in love with you for seven years, from the moment you entered my life and annoyed the shit out of me. I just didn’t know how to voice it. But I fucking do. I love you.” The words flow with ease now, and I don’t stop myself; I release them all. “I love you. I love you. I love you, Madelyn.”

36

MADELYN

Kayden told me he loves me, and my heart’s racing so fast I think I might faint.

I’m caught in a storm made from serotonin, and I can’t fight it off.

Kayden loves me.

He loves me, and everything else seems irrelevant now.

Despite wanting to say no to talking, wanting to walk away, and avoid any more pain, life didn’t teach me to leave. It taught me to be strong. To persevere. Not to run at the first sign of struggle. Toughen up and try to find a solution.

Kayden brings the lights back on, and the whole school doesn’t look so scary anymore.

Nothing does with these newfound revelations.

I stare at him now—messy hair, a black T-shirt, and black pants.

His arm, displaying a long slash, dry blood surrounding it.

Fuck, I stabbed Kayden. Mercilessly.

“We should take care of that first,” I say. “I think there’s a first aid kit here somewhere here.” I wander around the room, opening random drawers in the receptionist’s desk.

“It’s in the nurse’s office,” Kayden says.

“Right.” I stop browsing and head toward the door. “Let’s go.”

“I’m okay, Little Demon. This is fine.” Kayden spins me to face him. “Let’s talk.”

It’s obvious what I’m trying to do, and Kayden is aware of it, too. I have no idea how to take in the situation. Where to start. What to say.

It’s Kayden, and I shouldn’t be afraid of him—I’m not.