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Conner stumbles back, shock etched into his expression. “Sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“Whatever, Conner. Just go.”
He narrows his eyes with defiance. “I’m not leaving. I can’t.”
“Fine.” Indignation burns through me. “But I’m done talking.” Turning my face away from him, I close my eyes and hope sleep will come easily while knowing that it won’t.
Silence engulfs us as I lie there, still and unmoving. I can hear Conner, every gentle inhale and exhale.
After a few minutes, I think he’s fallen asleep. But then his voice pierces the darkness.
“I’m sorry, Kenny. I’m really fucking sorry.”
The next time I wake, Conner is gone. I should feel relieved, but part of me can’t help but feel disappointed.
I test the waters and sit up. Everything hurts, but I persevere. I need to get up today. I need to put on a brave face and show Conner and everyone else that I’m okay.
Maybe then James will let me leave without a fight.
A knock at the door makes me groan.
“Yeah?” I call.
“Hey, it’s me.” Hadley appears. “I brought you some supplies.” She slips inside and places the piles of clothes and toiletries on the desk. “I figured we’re about the same size.”
“Thanks.” I give her a tight smile.
“Listen, I just wanted you to know that I won’t tell anyone.”
My lips purse. When she’d stopped by last night, I hadn’t really told her anything. She’d deduced what had happened and I didn’t deny it.
What was the point?
Girls knew. They had some kind of weird female intuition about these things. I’d known the second she stepped into the room.
“So you and Remi haven’t been talking about what happened?” Accusation clings to every word.
“Kennedy, we’re not your enemies.”
“But you’re not my friends either,” I sneer. “You don’t know me. You don’t know what I’ve been through, what I’ve survived. Just because you’ve fallen for all... this.” I throw my hands up. “Doesn’t mean I’m looking to be the Jaggers’ next charity case.”
She gives me a sad smile. “They just want to help.”
“Yeah, well I don’t need anyone’s help.”
Hadley’s breath catches and regret slices through me. But it’s just too much. Being here. Conner. His dad.
Her standing there, looking at me with pity in her eyes.
“I’ll go.” She turns to leave, but I call after her.
“Wait. I’m sorry, okay? It’s just a lot. I’m not used to...”
“People caring.”
It isn’t a question, and there’s something in her expression that tells me she knows exactly what I mean.
Maybe I was too quick to judge her.
