AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You heard me,” his teeth grind, “I don’t love you.”
“B-but... you need me.”
“I don’t need you, Hadley. I need what you can give me. Hurting you gives me an outlet, a release. But what we have? It’s not love. It can’t ever be love. It’s wrong. Dirty. It’s a fucking disaster waiting to happen, and I should have never have let it get this far.”
“You’re lying.”
God, why can’t I just let this go? He’s said his piece. He’s punched his fist through my chest and pulled out my broken, bloody heart.
“Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t want me.” My body trembles violently as I spit the words at him. “Look me in the fucking eye and tell me I mean nothing to you.”
Cole climbs out of bed and looms over me, driving the final knife through my chest.
“I don’t want you, preppy. I never did.”
By the time the sun filters in through the blinds, I feel weak with exhaustion. But after Cole had broken my heart, I’d cried myself into a restless sleep.
When I needed him most, Cole decided to walk away.
A knock at the door sends my heart into my throat. “Yeah?” I call.
“Hads?” Conner pokes his head inside. “How are you feeling?”
“Maybe ask me again later.” I grimace, and he slips into the room.
“Let me guess, my brother—“
“Please, can we not talk about Cole.”
“Uh, sure. Do you want anything? A fresh drink? Breakfast? I make a mean pancake. Ellen taught me and everything.”
He looks so pleased with himself I can’t help but smile.
“I’d really like to get this out.” I lift my hand.
“Doc should be along soon. James just spoke to him.”
“He did?”
“Well, yeah. It’s James’ house, or did you—“
“No, of course. I just... it doesn’t matter.”
A dark expression crosses Conner’s face as he comes over to the bed and sits down on the end. “How are you feeling, really?”
“Like I got kidnapped by a drug lord and then almost killed in a trailer fire.”
“Fuck, Hadley...” He grimaces.
“You asked.”
“Yeah, I know. If it’s any consolation, I’m really happy you’re okay.”
“It is, thank you.”
“And Col—“
“We’re not talking about him, remember?”
