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CHAPTER23

Reed

Iwatch him walk away.

Seeing as it's the only thing that makes sense to me in the world.

I let him walk away.

CHAPTER24

Noah

It took me longer to get back inside and to the room I woke up in than I care to admit. Too many questions swarm around my head, but I can’t focus on that. Not when Reed acted like I was nothing but wasted space. He couldn’t even look at me. How could he just brush me off so effortlessly? It was like I was nothing more than just a passing thought.

And I hate admitting that it stung. I hate the back-and-forth I get from him. One moment he’s fine and I can talk to him, and then the next, it’s like he’s a different person.

I don’t understand.

I don’t have time to mull that over, not when climbing into bed takes nearly all of my energy. By the time I finally get situated, I have to lie still for a moment, just breathing. But every time I try to breathe, it feels like I’ve swallowed pins and needles.

I don’t know how long I lie there before I hear heavy footsteps drawing closer. My heart picks up, which only feels like someone rammed a hot poker straight into my chest.

The door opens, and Reed steps through, holding a tray of sorts in his hands. I hate that it does pique my interest. I didn’t realize how dry my mouth was until I noticed the glass of water.

I watch as Reed steps closer, placing the tray down on the side table. Peering over, I take in the soup, bowl of fruit, probably from a can, and two white pills.

“Here,” Reed hands me the glass of water. As much as I want to refuse anything from him, I don’t. I’m petty, but not enough to die from the lack of water. Taking the water from him, I drink deeply until it’s nearly gone. I feel his eyes on me the entire time, and I hate that I don’t mind it.

Handing him the glass, Reed sets it down before grabbing the plate of food.

“Where am I?” I ask.

Reed tries handing me the plate, but I shake my head. Even though I’m starving, I want—need to know where I’m at.

“Where am I, Reed?” My tone is harsher than normal.

“The cabin.” A simple answer. Yet it doesn’t satisfy me. Not one bit.

“This is some cabin,” I roll my eyes then glance around the plain room.

He nods but doesn’t respond.

“And how did I get to the cabin? I–I don’t remember much.” I frown, trying to search my brain for what happened. But it’s like there’s a big wall blocking me from remembering.

“Eat, Noah.” Once again he holds out the plate. I think about taking it from him since I am starving and I can’t remember the last time I ate. But Reed's holding something back, and I don’t like it.

“What are you hiding from me?”

“Eat the food.” Reed narrows his eyes at me.

“Tell me what happened, and thenmaybeI’ll eat the food, Reed.”

I’m testing him, waiting to see if he’ll bite. But I’m also moments from snatching that soup off the plate and devouring it. I’m just hoping he’ll answer me before then.

“Noah, I’m not one that you should push. Eat the fucking soup before I pour it down your throat.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up at his threat. Never once in our journey across multiple states did Reed ever intimidate me. That the muscles in my face can’t stop forming a small smile.