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“Shit. I’m so sorry, I panicked.”
“It’s okay. No hard feelings.” I mean it, too. It’s not his fault he was never going to live up to what I want. He’s notwhoI want. “See you around.”
I escape the cupboard before he’s even put himself away and make my way back to Fleur and Lee.
“Fuck, what happened?” Fleur asks as I stand with them.
“Is it that obvious?” I prod at it with my tongue and wince. I didn’t even check it before I came back out.
“Yes! Did someone hit you?”
“No, of course not. It’s fine. You don’t need to worry about me.” I give what I hope is a reassuring smile, but it turns to a grimace when it pulls on my tender lip.
“But I do.” She’s frowning at me, and all of a sudden, this whole night seems decidedly un-fun.
“I’m gonna head out. Do you mind?”
“No, of course not. Sawyer left when you disappeared, by the way. He asked us to make sure we took you home. We’ll leave now too.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to cut your night short.”
“It’s fine, we’re done anyway.”
Half an hour later, I’m washed, changed, and cozy in bed. If only the screeching from Sawyer’s bedroom would stop, I might almost relax. Speak of the devil—five minutes later my door swings open and he strolls in, freezing when he sees me.
“Oh, sorry, Angel. I didn’t hear you come back.”
“Not surprising,” I say bitterly. Unfair, but it’s out before I can help it.
“She’s kind of loud, right?” He cringes as he sits down on the side of my bed, misinterpreting my hostility. I can just see his profile in the dim light. I have no idea what possesses me to continue, but my mouth is doing its own thing tonight.
“You don’t like them loud?” I say.
“I like them authentic,” he replies.
“Fair.”
“I thought you might come back with someone.” It’s not a question, but I answer anyway.
“Nope.” He turns to face me at my simple answer, frowning when he catches sight of my lip now that he’s closer. He reaches out, pinching my chin between his thumb and finger, and turns my face so he can see the side in the low light.
“What the fuck happened to you?” Carefree Sawyer is gone instantly.
“Nothing important.” I try to pull free, but his hold is steady, even if it softens.
“Someone hit you,” he states angrily.
“No, they didn’t.”
“Harlow, what happened?” he demands. I know he won’t let it go, and I also know I could lie to him, but that’s just not us.
“Someone bit me.” The furrow in his brow deepens, but before he can explode, I continue. “In fairness, I practically asked him to.”
“Him? Was this some kind of sex thing?” He looks at me with disgust, and my hackles rise.
“Don’t judge me.”
“Was it that tool at the bar? What the fuck are you doing with these losers?”
