Page 135 of Breakaway Hearts

“What’s your plan when we get there?” Owen asks me as the floors pass by. “What are we worried⁠—”

The elevator dings and I practically jump off, making my way to room 812 as if drawn by Claudia’s screams, though I don’t hear any, just the ones that never left me that night.

I pound on the door nonstop until someone answers. I don’t recognize the guy who opens it, looking excited until he sees Owen is with us. I barrel past him, the others following closely, and find Tab’s roommate, who I’ve met exactly once, sitting in Freddy’s lap in an oversized red chair.

“Get your hands off her.”

They look at me like I’m crazy. I can’t see Owen’s face, but he must think I’m having a mental breakdown. All my attention is on Freddy.

He doesn’t look at me like I’m crazy; he looks guilty as fuck.

“Finch.” He jumps up like he’s both surprised and horrified to see me.

“No, don’t you fucking touch her.” I glare at him when he steadies Claudia.

“I didn’t.” He raises his hands in a show of innocence. “I wouldn’t,” he adds like he wants me to believe him.

I scoff, but it sounds a bit like a sob.

“I’m not a bad guy,” he tells me. “I don’t do that.”

“Anymore, you mean?” He flinches like I slapped him, and Claudia, who’s been watching this interaction like she’s waiting for someone to call the cops on me, slowly moves away from Freddy, into Tab’s waiting arms.

“Stay the fuck away from us,” I manage through gritted teeth, guiding Tab out the room before me.

Owen’s not an idiot, so I’m expecting I might have to drag him out now he’s put the pieces together, but Tab calls his name and he follows, wrapping an arm around me that feels as much like a weight as a security blanket.

Claudia is afraid of me. Maybe Tab too, at least a little, but right now I don’t mind, because it means no one asks me what the hell just happened. Not when Owen drops the girls off at their dorm, or even as we drive to my apartment, where he parks in the overnight parking and cuts the engine.

“I know you don’t like sleepovers, and that’s fine, but I really don’t…can I stay until Jason comes home, or sleep on your couch, or⁠—”

“Please don’t leave me,” I say quietly, trying to give him an ‘I’m totally okay’ smile, but I have to brush away a tear. “I don’t really feel like being alone tonight.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Owen promises, looking relieved.

He comes around to open my door, then holds my hand the entire way up, looking at me like he’s afraid I’ll either break or blow up, and honestly, I’m not sure which is more likely.

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Madison

Untouchable

Part of me wants to ignore the elephant in the room, crawl under the blankets, and let Owen hold me while I try to sleep.

He looks like he’s struggling not to ask, to be there for me without pressing, and I love him for it. I mean, maybe. Definitely, but it still terrifies me and who knows what he’ll do after I tell him?

I think of all this while I shower, trying to wash away the fear, the cold that settled into my bones, the memories, but when I come out in my fluffy pajamas and big housecoat to sit on the bed across from Owen, I don’t know where to start.

“You don’t have to tell me anything,” he says, but I know I do.

“Freddy was on my high school’s team,” I explain.

“I gathered,” he says gently after what feels like forever of him giving me a chance to continue.

“I was on the team with him too, but after junior high they didn’t allow girls.” I sigh, but that part doesn’t bother me anymore.

“That’s bullshit.” He’s waiting for more, but like my shrink at the beginning, he won’t ask.