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“Just let him go.” I drop my eyes from his, afraid of his reaction. “It’s not worth it.”
“Not worth it?” He snorts, disgust thick in his voice. “Tell me, Evie.” He pushes against Shane again, his eyes intent on mine. “How long has he been treating you like shit?”
If only he knew it’s so much worse. But it’s notthatI’m focused on. It’s the fact that Grayson can’t let this go. It’s the fact that he referred to fucking me in front of my brother. I’d never heard anything so disgraceful from him.
I take a deep breath and prepare myself for what I’m about to do. “Let. Him. Go.”
Josh comes up behind Grayson, his hands on his shoulders and yanks him back. “Okay, you made your point,” he says, nodding toward the bar where Quinten is making his way toward us.
Grayson sighs and then shakes his head as he holds up his palms to me. “He may not be worth it, but you are. You’refucking worth it, Evie.” And then he stares at me, breathing heavily, waiting for me to say something.
I let out a short, defeated sigh and look down at my hands.
“Let’s go,” Shane barks, drawing my attention to him. He reaches for my hand and yanks me to his side.
I shake my head, trying to blink back tears. They burn, much like my need to escape. I pause, searching for the right words, but there are none. Nothing I say will make this situation any better.
Grayson remains completely silent. His eyes follow the tearsrolling down my cheeks, ones I didn’t want to let loose. I watch as he swallows, his eyes full of shock now.
“Evie, seriously,” Frankie whispers, as though she knows what I’m doing and takes a step in my direction. “Don’t go with Shane tonight. Come home with us.”
I look back at Grayson. His jaw clenches tightly, his glare on Shane and then back to me. Can’t he see in my eyes I’m screaming for help on the inside?
Please hear me! Fucking hear me!
Of course no one does, because I haven’t told them. I’m constantly pushing everyone away. Why the fuck should he listen to me?
Without words, he turns and walks away.
Shane holds me closer, his mouth at my ear. “If you ever talk to him again, I’ll kill you myself.” Fear jolts through me in waves. Because for once, I think maybe that’s better than this. Maybe it’s easier.
“I am not letting you leave with him,” Frankie demands, refusing to leave my side.
“Doesn’t look like you have a choice.” Shane snorts, a condescending smirk on his face as he wipes blood from his mouth with the front of his shirt.
In the distance, I can vaguely make out Grayson’s figure in the parking lot. Josh turns to face me. “Evie, are you okay?”
Shane tightens his grip. “She’s fine here with me.”
Josh steps forward, a deadly, sinister expression I haven’t seen in a while torturing his face. “I wasn’t fucking asking you, asshole. I was asking her.”
Shane’s entire body vibrates with anger, his arms wrapped around my shoulders from behind. “Go ahead then. Ask her. Pretty sure she’s with me.”
“I’m fine, guys.” I step back with Shane. “I’m going with him.”
I don’t look at anyone else. I don’t listen to Frankiescreaming at me or my brother threatening Shane. I walk away because it’s easier.
Once in Shane’s Mustang, we sit in silence, neither one of us speaking. His hands are shaking with anger as he tries to wipe the blood pouring from his nose. “He broke my goddamn nose!” he shouts, slamming his hands against the steering wheel.
I have no idea why or where it comes from, but I laugh. It’s certainly not funny, but it’s a reaction. One that earns me my fate.
Shane’s hand connects with my left eye and lower lip. “Shut the fuck up, you stupid cunt.”
It takes me a moment to comprehend what happened. You would think, by now, I would be used to it.
Letting out a shaky breath, I reach for the door handle when Shane’s hand clasps my arm forcefully. “You get out of this car and I will see to it that you never get into his,” he growls, his eyes so dark and menacing in the low lighting of the car.
I cry, harder than I ever have in my entire life. It shakes through me. Convulsive almost. This is my nightmare. Stuck on repeat.