Page 63 of Love is Angry

As the world spins and hurtles through the vastness of cosmos at an incomprehensible speed, I understand that we’re but blips in the fabric of space and time.

Right now, as I sink into the oceans of Madison Willis’s eyes, it all makes sense. I inch closer, and she doesn’t pull back. No, she softens in my embrace and allows me to lower my head, my lips searching for hers.

Madison moans softly while I take the liberty of tasting everything she has to offer. I allow the hunger to take over, and the kiss becomes an act of devouring one another. A consumption of our souls. She’s so delicate and sweet, so vulnerable and radiant.

“I fell for you,” I say, my lips brushing against hers. “I fell for you, Madison. It was never in my nature to allow anyone to get as close to me as I let you get.”

“You shouldn’t have,” she replies, letting a heavy sigh out as she melts in my embrace.

“But I did. So, tell me, please, why’d you do it?”

Suddenly, she stiffens, and my fear returns with a fierce and agonizing grip. There’s no turning back now, though. She wants to run. I have to stop her. I can’t let another year go by like this last one.

“Do what?” Madison murmurs, trying not to look at me anymore.

I gamble and bring a hand up, gently clasping her chin. “You know what. I saw you. I gave you hell over it, but I never stopped to calmly ask why. But I’m asking now. Why him, Madison?”

“Why does it matter?” she snaps, eyes glassy and growing wider, round and filled with horror. Her lips part slowly, and I hear her breath breaking.

“I’m trying to do better, to be better, and if there is one thing I know for a fact now, it’s that you and I have unfinished business. That night at the cabin proves it. I just need to understand what the hell happened between the two of you. I need to knowwhy. I was falling for you, Maddie and…”

“I’m the one who killed your mother!”

I stop. Stop speaking. Stop thinking. Stop breathing.

The ground vanishes from under me.

And all I can see is my hands wrapping around Madison’s neck.

Chapter 28

Madison

Every time Rhue steps into my life, my world falls apart. I can’t avoid it. I can’t control it. I can’t even predict it.

But I can run.

I’m running now, my bag slamming against my thigh with every step, images of my broken life flashing through my head.

Leaving my bag at Rhue’s the first time, a year ago. It’s always the bag. Always Rhue.

Sitting with Laura and Rhue in the café, laughing, finding common ground after a nightmarish year.

Going back to Rhue’s mansion for my bag. Julian opening the door—the white powder smeared under his nose—following him upstairs. My bag wasn’t upstairs. It never was. I should never have believed it would have been.

Rhue’s eyes at the group tutoring session, flashing with arrogance and fun. Rhue’s eyes at the café, softening to me. Rhue’s eyes in the doorway, staring in horror.

Julian walking into the cafe.

Julian’s furious expression, twisting with disgust with every word he spits at me.

Running away from the mansion. Running away from the café. Running away through the woods. Running around the track. Running—running—I’ll just keep running forever, never free of this nightmare, never far enough from the memories to catch my breath.

Rhue finding me—he’s confused. Concerned. Roxanne finding me—she's confused. Concerned.

Rhue’s hands around my throat. Roxanne’s obituary in the newspaper, blinding me with guilt and shame. Rhue’s fury, twisted like his father’s, glaring down at me while he loses control. That terrifying well of relief and acceptance deep inside me, knowing I’m finally getting what I deserve.

He was going to kill me. If the bus hadn’t pulled up when it did, he would have succeeded. But the screaming brakes startled him out of his blind fury and he loosened his hold. I broke away and ran with every ounce of fear and heartache that I’ve carried with me for so long.