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I was so close to death the other night I could taste the bitterness. I’m afraid. I’m so damn afraid.
The farthest I’ve left my room is to go downstairs and binge-watch Netflix. Other than that, I’ve been holed up in my room, the masked man following me, even in my thoughts.
I should get up, quit hiding out. It’s not me, but the thought of him waiting for me outside of my doorway nearly cripples me in place.
Though I need to stop with this shit. If not for my wrapped forearm, I would think it was all in my imagination.
With newfound confidence, I lift my phone from my mattress and unlock it. My fingers fly across the keypad as I type out a message.
Me:Who is this?
Unknown:Your biggest regret.
My heart bangs across my ribs as realization hits. There’s only one person who’s been my greatest wish and biggest regret.
Reign.
I quickly put him in my phonebook before typing out another message
Me:Why?
Reign:Why am I your biggest regret?
I roll my eyes, squeezing my phone tight.
Me:No. Why do you want to meet?
Reign:Because we have things to talk about and I don’t need Archer breathing over my shoulder or watching you with hearts in his fucking eyes.
I scowl at my phone. Yes, we have history, but it was literally a blip in time. Archer is just protective. Everyone knows how I was after Reign left. I was in shambles. He left me in pieces that no one could pick up. Eventually, I did, but it was my friends who helped me remember who I was. Archer was there for me, through it all. He never once left, never made me feel like he’d abandon me.
Me:He doesn’t look at me with hearts in his eyes. He’s just looking out for me. He doesn’t want me to get my heart broken again.
Silence. I hope I struck a nerve.
My feet slide up and down my comforter as I snuggle under my fuzzy blanket. I keep my eyes on my phone, waiting for the three dots to appear. It feels like it takes forever, but eventually, they do.
Reign:You can pretend that Archer knows what’s best for you all you want. I’m sure it was fun playing house with him, but the games are over, Lakyn. Meet me at the dock.
My body tenses at his words. This is how it’s always been for us. I dig, then he digs deeper. Neither of us ever wins. We just always end up hurting each other more.
Reign:Come to me, Lakyn. Otherwise, I’ll come to you.
I sit up in bed, slipping my sheets off my legs. I don’t want him to come here. It wouldn’t lead to anything good. The moment we’re in a car by ourselves, I crumble. If he ends up in my room with me alone, I don’t know what would happen.
Me:I’ll be there.
I pull up in Eloise’s Jeep, parking in the lot by the water. Dread weighs on me as I remember the last time I was here. So much blood.
So much death.
This place looks the same. Always a bit run-down. The docks are worn, the paint faded, only chipped and flimsy wood leading to the fishermen’s boats. Overgrown weeds curl around on either side of the lot, all the way down to the water. Behind me are the dark woods, with so many ash and evergreen trees, the forest looks endless.
And in front of me is the water, and a singular light post. Reign leans up against it, a black Bentley beside him, with black rims and tinted windows. It fits him. Dark and mysterious. Never up to any good.
I take a deep breath, turning off the car and letting the headlights go out. The yellow light above Reign makes him glow and sharpens his features. I can see his dark gaze all the way across the lot, penetrating me as he waits for me to come to him.
My heart pounds against my chest, my palms sweaty against the steering wheel. I wipe them on my ripped jeans, taking a deep breath, inhaling the scent of woods and citrus in Eloise’s car.
