Page 16

"Shh," I whisper, cupping his cheeks in my hands as I press my mouth to his again, this time, I feel him kiss me back and I'm not sure if he wants to, or if it's just a reaction.

For the first time in a while, I feel alive again. Tension crackles between us, electricity that he's sure not to miss. He has to feel it, too. He just has to.

My tongue tries to slither between his lips, but he resists and I pull back, knowing I went too far.

"What the fuck, Avery?" Callan gnashes. "Why'd you do that?'

I gulp, feeling the pang of remorse in my chest. "I…I'm sorry." Tears prick the corners of my eyes. "I just thought maybe, it might help you remember."

His eyebrows cave, confusion etched in his features. "Remember what exactly?"

My shoulders lift, heart heavy. "Us."

The door bursts open before he can respond.

"Avery!" Brogan’s voice is sharp, slicing through the moment like a scalpel. "What the hell are you doing here?"

She storms in and grabs my arm, pulling me out into the hallway before I can even explain.

"You can’t just come here, we've talked about this," she snaps, keeping her voice low but fierce. "What were you thinking?"

"I…he’s not unconscious. He's awake now and isn't it best to try and jog his memories instead of helping him repress them?"

She shakes her head, concern for her brother clear on her face. But I’m worried too, and I can’t even fucking see him. "You being here will just confuse him more. Or worse, piss him off."

I swallow hard, shame crawling up my throat. "I'm sorry, B. I just don't know what to do anymore."

Brogan folds her arms, pinning me with a look. "Seems you've been keeping yourself pretty busy. What’s this I hear about you and Sebastian getting close?"

I blink. "What?"

"Don’t play dumb. People have seen you together. Heard you’ve been hanging out."

I hesitate. "It’s not like that."

"Then what is it like?" she asks, eyes narrowing. "Because Callan’s in there with a shattered memory, and if you’re out here getting cozy with his best friend…"

For the first time since I met Brogan, I look at her differently. She never accused me of lying before, and her brother might be hurting and in a hospital bed, but her acting like this toward me is too far.

"We're not getting cozy! And me going to stay with them for a little while has nothing to do with me trying to be closer to him."

Damnit. Why did I just say that?

"That's not what I meant," I spit, hoping I can save what I just said.

Brogan throws her arms out wide, pinning me with a death glare. "Are you fucking serious, Ave? You're planning on staying with them?"

"Just for a little while. It's not that big of a deal."

"It's a huge deal! Why on God's green earth wouldyou ever want to stay at that testosterone-infused house with those guys?" Brogan turns her back, pressing her fists to her temples with a frustrated breath. "Jesus Christ."

"I’m not doing anything reckless," I add quickly. "They’re putting together some kind of masked skating event for Callan and I offered to help organize it."

Brogan slowly turns back to face me, one brow lifting. "So you’re staying at the hockey house to help them plan a party?"

"It’s not a party," I say. "It’s for Callan and honestly,I just…I don’t want to be alone right now.

You’re always gone and I’m happy you found someone to share your life with, but I just lost my person and I’m falling apart not being able to even see him.

Being alone in that dorm room is killing me, B.

I feel like I spiral ten times a day and I need something to do, something to focus on. "

The words slip out before I can stop them. The last thing I want to do is make her feel any guilt for me going to stay with them. But obviously I can't tell her I'm being forced.

Her face softens. "Avery…"

"I’m not okay, B. I know I haven’t said that out loud, but I’m not.

And staying over there will make me feel like I’m doing something.

Like I’m not just sitting around waiting for him to forget me completely.

I’m not getting close with Sebastian; he just talks to me when the panic hits and for some reason it helps. "

Her jaw clenches like she wants to argue, but something in her eyes shifts. "You should’ve just told me that."

I sigh, rubbing my eyes with my fingers, probably smearing my mascara. "I didn’t want to drag you into more chaos. You’re always at Hayes’ anyway and I didn’t want to make you feel like you had to stay behind for me. You’re happy with him and I want you to keep being happy."

She steps closer, pulling me into a hug. "You’re an idiot," she mutters into my hair. "A selfless idiot, but still an idiot."

I let out a shaky laugh. "Guilty."

Brogan pulls back just enough to look me in the eye. "Fine. Stay there. But if those assholes so much as breathe sideways, you call me. Got it?"

"I promise."

"And we’re still doing pizza and movie nights. I don’t care how busy they keep you."

I nod quickly. "Wouldn’t miss it."

She studies me for another beat. "How long?"

"Not long. Hopefully just until the event is over. I’ll be out before Callan’s home, I swear."

Brogan nods, but I see the wariness still behind her eyes. "Alright. But if this gets messy, I’m dragging you out by your hair."

I chuckle. "Deal."

Little does she know it’s already a mess. But I will rise. This stalker didn’t just mess with me, they messed with someone I care about. And that means war.