Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 83550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
My fingers curl into fists. “You do realize that I’m not the one sending them,” I say through gritted teeth. “I’m just as tired of this as you are.”
He sets his glass down with a sharp clink that echoes through the room. Three long strides and he’s in my face, bourbon breath hot against my cheek. “That’s not the point. You’re a direct reflection of me, and right now, you’re making me look like a fool. You can’t even manage your own life.”
Even though I know better, I can’t stop myself. “Maybe if you just backed—”
The slap cracks across my face before I can finish. My head jerks to the side, copper flooding my mouth where my teeth cut into my cheek. I force myself to remain still, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
“You really think I should back off?” His voice drips venom. “How can I do that when you’re so incompetent?” A pause, then the killing blow. “Just like your mother.”
I bite my tongue, swallowing down both blood and rage. He always brings her up when he wants to gut me. And it works like a charm every time.
“Clean up your act,” he says, voice eerily calm. “Or I’ll make sure you regret it. Now, get the hell out of my sight.”
It takes everything in me not to snap, to throw a punch, to finally fight back. But that’s exactly what he wants. Proof that I’m the failure he says I am. Instead, I turn and walk out, each step measured and controlled until I’m back in my car.
Only then do I release the breath I’ve been holding as my hands shake on the steering wheel. My phone buzzes, and for a second, panic spikes, thinking it’s him.
But it’s not.
It’s her.
FragileLikeABomb
Sorry to leave you hanging. You still alive over there?
The simple message feels like a life preserver thrown into raging waters. She has no idea how perfect her timing is or how much I need this connection right now.
My cheek throbs as I type back.
For the first time tonight, I finally feel like I can breathe.
Me
Barely. Family drama.
FragileLikeABomb
On a scale from 1 to vodka, how bad?
A chuckle escapes me. It’s genuine and unexpected. The swirling in my stomach eases just a fraction.
Me
Bourbon. The expensive kind. Neat.
FragileLikeABomb
Ouch. Want to talk about it?
I hesitate. Talking to her feels dangerous, but I can’t stop. I’m drawn to this girl, even though I don’t know who she is. Or maybe it’s because I don’t know. It’s so much easier to be honest with someone who doesn’t know me.
Bridger Sanderson.
The chancellor’s son.
Me
Not much to say. Just tired of being a punching bag.
FragileLikeABomb
There’s only so much you can take before you snap and hit back.
Her words crash over me. It’s like she’s reached into my mind and pulled out the exact feeling I couldn’t put into words. No one understands me the way she does. How ironic is it that we’ve never met? I guess that’s part of the attraction. The safety of anonymity that lets me lay my soul bare.
This girl knows all my deepest, darkest secrets.
Even the ones Steele isn’t privy to.
Me
Sometimes it feels like I’m tap dancing on the edge. You’re the only one who keeps me sane.
There’s a pause long enough that I wonder if I’ve scared her off with my honesty. Then her reply lights up my screen.
FragileLikeABomb
Same. You ever want to walk away, let me know and I’ll walk with you.
My chest tightens, her words breaking through my walls in a way that nothing else could.
Me
Thanks.
FragileLikeABomb
Anytime.
Enough of the heavy stuff. It’s time to lighten the mood a bit.
Me
Pretty sure thinking’s overrated, you know?
FragileLikeABomb
Probably.
Before I can fire off a response, hers pops up.
FragileLikeABomb
So stop overthinking. You don’t have to carry everything alone.
And just like that, the weight pressing down on my shoulders lifts a fraction. She has a way of making me feel like maybe I’m not as alone as I thought.
Me
You’re incredible, you know that?
FragileLikeABomb
Nah. Just telling it like it is.
I stare at her message for a long moment as a rare sense of peace settles over me. It’s amazing how one person—someone I’ve never met—can keep me grounded when everything else feels like it’s spiraling out of control.
Me
Thanks.
I drop my head against the seat as her words echo in my mind, and then Holland’s face flashes behind my eyes. That’s all it takes to destroy the delicate peace blanketing me.
I have the sneaking suspicion that I know exactly who’s behind the messages.
My fingers rise to touch my cheek.
Now I just need to prove it.
3
Holland
“Are we still grabbing lunch at the Union?” Willow asks as we cut across campus for our ten o’clock classes. The sun is out in full force, and the warmth feels good on my face.
“Yeah, pretty sure,” I say.
“Pretty sure?” Her eyebrow lifts.