AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I…” My heart clenches. I want to tell Haven just how horrible it was, but if she has something going on, I don’t want her to worry. “I had a great night. I’ll tell you all about it later. When will you be back?”
“I’m not sure.” Something is off in her voice, but I can’t tell what. “I’ll text you when I know. It might be a few days. Bye.”
“Haven—”
The line goes dead.
The fuck? Might be a few days? What happened?
“Is she all right?” Cal asks.
“Yeah,” I say, even though I don’t believe myself. I tear my eyes from my phone, only to be met by three pained, regretful gazes.
Serves them right.
Wes is the only one who hasn’t apologized, which is typical. He wanted to chain me up in a fucking basement last night. Whatever his problem is with me, it stems from more than my supposed rejection of him.
Kellan’s thumb strokes across the back of my hand. “Athelia—”
“Do you have any idea how much pain you’ve caused me?” I ask him.
He shakes his head remorsefully, but I wonder if he only does it because he knows it’s what he’s supposed to do.
“Do you have any idea how many times I thought of giving up on the idea of being a teacher? Of quitting school entirely because of you three?”
It’s not completely true. Professor Kammes played a much larger role in me wanting to give up. But for the moment, these three need to understand just how shitty they’ve been.
“I lost count of the amount of nights I cried myself to sleep. Of how many times Haven had to persuade me not to kill myself.”
Kellan winces then, and Wes swears under his breath. Cal looks like he’s on the verge of tears, but thankfully he’s managing to hold them back. He won’t get an ounce of sympathy from me. Not today.
“Even if I’d chosen Professor Kammes of my own free will, it wouldn’t have justified a single thing you’ve done to me.” At that, I shake my hand free of Kellan’s grasp, happy to see the pain in his eyes as I do. “I’m allowed to make my own damn choices.”
None of them try to defend themselves, which is the only reason I’m not actively throwing things at them. Well, that, and I don’t want to hurt myself more.
“I deserved so much better than what any of you have given me. We had something going freshman year. At the very least, we still could’ve been friends.” My gaze cuts to Wes. They’re all at fault, but he’s their leader, even if it’s never been spoken out loud. “And you did this all why? To punish me? Do you not see how fucked up that is?”
Silence.
“Do you not—” I catch myself as pain shoots through my chest. If I can’t keep calm, I’m only going to make myself more miserable. I take a slow, cautious breath, my gaze never leaving Wes’s. “Do you really not see, Wes? How cruel you’ve been?”
“I see it,” he says quietly.
“Then what do you have to say for yourself?”
He swallows, and the vein near his temple pulses. At this point, all I want is an apology. It won’t be enough, but it’ll be something.
I can work with something.
Or you’re delusional.
“I’m sorry,” Wes says. “I’m sorry I never thought to check that you wanted my stepfather. I’m sorry that I didn’t protect you from him, and I’m sorry for all the things I’ve done to you.”
Kellan moves out of the way as Wes stalks toward the bed. Cal throws his hands up before grumbling something about not respecting boundaries. It’s pitifully ironic, but I don’t have the energy to call him out on it right now.
“But…” Wes’s fingers trace the curve of my face until they rest underneath my chin, lifting it up. “I love being the one who inflicts pain on you. I love your anger, your tears, and your frustration.”
I try to shy away, but he keeps a firm grip on my chin. It’s not lost on me, however, that he somehow manages to keep his hold gentle. It’s contradictory to what he just said, which only makes my thoughts even more jumbled.
