Page 31

“I’ll kill her, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Words once aimed at my mother now threaten the only person besides her to ever love me.
The only other person I’ve ever loved.
With a deep breath, I gather my courage and knock on the plain white door.
No doorbell, no cameras, no security. Only a keypad.
The main entrance wasn’t even locked.
I don’t like it at all. The hallway and stairwell are too dark, the terrace easily accessible, and I could see Aurora’s bedroom from the street, for fuck’s sake.
So, when she opens without hesitation, I ask, “Did you check who it was?”
Her smile falls, and her eyes widen. “I should have.”
She goes to shut the door in my face, but I wedge my boot in the opening and shoulder my way in. I slam it behind me, and she spins around, startled.
In leggings and a hoodie—my hoodie—she takes my breath away.
I urge myself to remain calm, but all rational thought vanishes with her in front of me. The pull to her is unlike anything I’ve ever felt. She’s my other half, ripped from me, and my skin is torn raw without her.
She stands rigid, her eyes filled with fear. “Get out.”
“I have something to tell you.” My voice shakes, and my teeth rattle with nerves.
She crosses her arms over her chest and scoffs. “Spare me the details. I know enough.”
I swallow hard, my throat thick with emotion. “It’s not about the pictures.”
Her expression changes to one of horror, a hand flying to her mouth while the other drops to her stomach. “Oh my God. Please don’t tell me you have some STD.”
I throw my hands in the air. “Jesus fucking Christ! For the millionth time, I did not cheat on you!” My temper skyrockets, and I find myself in her face. “I. Did. Not. Fuck. Anyone!”
Her chin quivers. She stares up at me, tears clinging to her eyelashes, and I see myself in her reflection, furious and towering over her.
A monster.
I drop to my knees and beg. “I’m sorry. I know I fucked up. I won’t scream at you again.”
Her jaw tightens, her words barely above a whisper. “Get out.”
“Please.” My eyes well with tears that blur my vision. “I swear to you, nothing happened.”
“Get out, Jackson.”
I blink the tears away. “Let me explain.”
“GET! OUT!”
She has never yelled at me, and her agonizing cry slices through me, destroying what’s left of my sanity.
“I’m. Not. Leaving.” I rise to my feet but don’t crowd her. “I didn’t do it! Be mad. Yell at me. Hit me. I fucked up! But I did absolutelynothingwith those girls.”
“Hmm. Where have I heard that before?” She has lost all trust in me, but I can earn it back. I’ve done it once. I’ll do it again. “Just leave, Jackson.”
But that, I can’t do. “Tell me what to do. I’ll do anything.” I dare to take a step closer. “I love you.”