Page 31 of Veiled

Pulling the chilly covers over me in bed, I consider burying myself in a book—losing myself in someone else’s world, their messiness, and their passion. But tonight? I can’t bring myself to do it. The thought of reading about someone else’s love life, about people actually getting what they want, feels like a punch to the gut.

The only guys who’ll be interested in me now will be the ones who will think a drink is all it takes to get me on my knees for them. The ones that believe their shitty jokes earn them the right to touch me. The ones who see me as a prize to win, a notch to brag about later.

I should’ve known the “fresh start” I thought I was getting here wouldn’t last.

So stupid.

I’m not the girl who gets a happily ever after. I’m the girl whose own father couldn’t even love her. The girl shipped off to a damn military academy for daring to fight back. I’m the girl who can’t stop reliving the years of hot blood, fear, and pain.

I feel my throat tighten, the weight of it all pressing on me until I can barely breathe. Today was just another reminder that I’m trapped, stuck in this loop of mistakes, memories, and a future that promises to be as dark as my past.

I stare at the ceiling, wishing I could crawl out of my own skin, out of this life. It’s not the first time I’ve wished for it all to end, but it can’t. I can’t.

This is far from the worst thing I’ve been through, but my brain isn’t thinking logically, and I don’t have what it takes to talk myself into a better headspace right now. Maybe tomorrow I’ll find the energy to pretend that storybook endings are still possible for someone like me.

But tonight? Tonight it’s only me, my dark thoughts, and the awful truth: I might’ve escaped one devil, but now I’m stuck with another. And this one has friends to help him make sure I never forget my place.

I'm startled awake when I hear my doorknob jiggling. Instinctively, I reach for my dagger on my nightstand. Is it Lucas? Or some asshole who thinks this is what I want?

My heart is beating a million miles a second, and then I hear his voice—

“Lee, it's me. Open up.”

Matt.

I run across the cold room, open the door, and quickly climb back into bed while he walks in and locks the door behind him. I’m about to ask what he needs when I see he’s already taking off his shirt and shoes, leaving only his basketball shorts on when he climbs into bed next to me.

Girls would literally fight to be in this position given the opportunity. Not only is he the best guy ever, but objectively, he’s hot as hell too. But there is nothing sexual about what’s happening now.

Mattey has held me to sleep a thousand times over the years, mostly when I’ve needed him, but occasionally when he’s had a rough day, too. Countless times, I’d found myself on the wrong end of my dad’s overindulgence and had messaged Matt because I needed help cleaning my wounds. He kept watch so my dad didn’t attack me while I slept, held me during the crippling night terrors, and let me cry as he rubbed circles on my back and promised that we would escape together someday.

“You heard?” I whisper, barely audible, almost hoping he doesn't hear me so that we can simply lie here in silence.

“I did. But why didn't you call me? You know I would have run over there to punch that asshole in the face for you…could have put on a show in my towel and everything,” he jokes, knowing that’s how I prefer to deflect from serious situations.

I give a half-smile, and he knows it’s there, even if he can’t see it in the dark.

Squeezing him a little tighter, “I know you would have. That's why I didn't call. The last thing you need is to get in a fight at Scion outside of class. Who knows what they would do as punishment with our records. And especially not over something as dumb as Lucas and his friends being pricks.”

He sighs, knowing I'm right but still hating it.

“Are you ok though, Lee? Are you hungry? I didn't even think to bring food, but I can run back up to my room if you are.”

“Why am I not surprised?” I mumble, smiling faintly. “But no, thanks, I'm good. I actually stayed and ate my dinner in the dining hall.”

I can feel his body quickly tense at that before he shakes his head gently and kisses my forehead. “Of course you did, Lee. Of. Fucking. Course you did.” He lets out a deep breath. He knows better than anyone how far Lucas has gone to hurt me before, and I’m sure it will only be worse here.

“I would give anything to fight every asshole that tries to dim your light, Lee, but I know you won’t let me, so just remember I’m here with you. Okay?” He promises.

My slight nod is all my tears needed to break free, flowing down my cheeks and onto his chest.

Neither of us wipes them away.

“I love you, Mattey,” I choke out.

“I love you too, Lee. Now go to sleep; we’re going to need every ounce of energy we can muster for the dragons tomorrow.”

Chapter thirteen