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“Make me uncomfortable,” he says, and I can feel his gaze blazing into me. “Are you going to leave me in the dark again?”

I shake my head. “Are you going to leave me?”

“No, little fae. Why were you looking so sad?”

“Sad?”

“On the bench. You looked like the world was against you.”

I look away, feeling the pangs of sadness leeching under my skin. “I hide so much of myself from so many. And when I do show them the… unsightly parts, they don’t like them.”

He cups my cheek, tilting my head up, waiting for me to continue.

“I’ve not told Connor about being the target.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want him to worry.”

“Why does it matter? Hasn’t the killer been caught?” the stranger asks.

I exhale heavily. “I’m not convinced.” He waits for me to continue. “It’s a long story.”

“I have time,” he says with a slight shrug.

I glance at my phone, knowing Alice will come searching for me if I don’t get home soon. “I have to get back. Tomorrow?”

“Where?”

“The woods?” I ask, but then I have another idea. “Or I could… call you.”

“Call me. I’ll use my real voice.”

“You will?”

“Unless you don’t want that.”

“I do!” I clear my throat. “I mean, whatever, sure. I don’t care.”

He chuckles darkly. “I’ll speak to you later, little fae.”

103

Summer

Iarrive at the gym, but I hesitate before I go in. I don't particularly want to see Max, but I really need to work out. My head has been busy since last night, and so much happened yesterday that I need a release. I take a steadying breath before I enter and avoid looking at Max as I pass the desk.

"Ready to fight?" Max asks as if nothing happened yesterday. He acts as if he wasn't a complete asshole when I was trying to make light of a situation.

"Eat a bag of dicks." I snap back.

The anger surges within me before I've even acknowledged it. Too much has happened, and all I want to do is work out in peace. I don't want to worry about what is going on with Max. He hurt my feelings yesterday, and I am frustrated and scared. Max is a dick, and he deserves my anger, but I don't like feeling so volatile.

I walk to the treadmill and start running. I immediately feel the benefits of it. That is until Max's stupid face appears in front of the machine.

"Woah, what was that for?"

I ignore him, looking over his shoulder and concentrating on the large window behind him. In my peripheral vision, I see Max bend down and the treadmill comes to a stop. I glare at him and step off that treadmill to hop onto the one next to it. Max waits for me to start running and then unplugs that one, too.