Page 31 of Bleeding Hearts

Gripping her chin, I kiss her softly, knowing it will be the last time, and she smiles as I pull back. “I love you.” Her eyes widen, and something hopeful blooms within them before I squash it. “Stay away from me.” I let go, climb from the truck, and disappear.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Ilove you. Stay away from me.

Her words, coupled with the panic in her eyes, haunt me as I lie in bed, sliding my fingers across my lips, wishing she were here now. I didn’t see her after she disappeared from the truck, so I don’t know how she got home.

I don’t even know if she’s okay.

I just know that I can’t stay away from her, even if she asks me to. I love her more than I love myself, and I would give anything to be with her. Maybe it isn’t healthy, but I don’t care. She protected me back then, and it’s my turn to protect her now.

I’m not letting her go, especially now that I’ve tasted her.

She’s mine.

Her cries, her taste . . . they’re etched into my being, and no one else will ever compare. This isn’t just sex, desire, or shared trauma—this is love, and it’s real. It hurts as much as it heals, but I don’t care anymore. I’ll do whatever it takes.

I’m going to make Lally mine.

My phone vibrates, and I roll over and grab it, hoping it’s her, but it isn’t.

Alek: Be home tomorrow at 6 PM. You were right, and we are listening. I am sorry. I love you. Make sure to eat.

My heart melts. Alek is stubborn and stupid when it comes to Evan, but at least he isn’t an ass. He wants the best for us, for all of us. In a way, he became everyone’s father after that night, and he’s struggling to find a way to navigate this. I have to give him some leeway.

Alice: Okay, see you then. Make sure to get some sleep, old man.

My phone goes black, and I frown, about to reach for my charger, when it flashes green and glitching purple.

Risk.

The logo comes up, and I sit upright as I wait for what’s next.

Another game?

A number one flashes up alongside Lally’s face. She’s staring off into the distance with the campus in the background. This isn’t a picture she took.

A two comes up with another face, and then a three with pictures of people.

Are these the rankings?

I’m at number six. I don’t know how, but the picture is from a distance. I’m smiling at something someone said, and a cold feeling washes over me, my skin crawling. Are they watching us this closely?

I clutch the phone as it runs through the rest. Before the numbers change, more pictures of contestants come up, but red blood drips down their faces, making a macabre smiley face before they are crossed out. Does that mean they failed?

It’s horrifying, and I toss my phone away, not wanting to see any more.

This isn’t just a game, this is a fucking trap, and we are all in it.

I’m at Alek’s just before six, curious about what he has planned.

Evan is there, but so are Skylar and Bones. They hop up when I come in, looking around in confusion. “Um, okay . . . What’s going on?”

“Sit down,” Alek orders, and I perch on the sofa, looking between them.

“You aren’t pregnant, are you?” I joke to fill the awkwardness.

“Not for lack of trying.” Skylar sighs wistfully as he leans his head on Bones’s shoulder, who just rolls his eyes and ignores his boyfriend.