Page 76 of Claimed

“Fuck you! Go tend to your whore. I think I broke her nose.”

“Raven –”

“Don’t. Just don’t.”

Anger turns to hurt. The kind where you feel like your lungs have been ripped out and you can’t breathe. Hurt so deep you think your heart will stop at any moment because you simply can’t go on living. That’s how I feel. Tears stream down my cheeks, and I press my palm to the ache in my chest.

“I don’t know what she told you –”

“How could you? How could you screw her every night and then hold me in your arms like you cared?”

“Is that what she said? And you believe that?”

Like I expected him to admit it. I grab my backpack from the closet and start shoving some clothes in it. I can’t be here right now.

“What the fuck are you doing?” he demands.

“What does it look like?”

“You’re not leaving.”

“You can’t stop me.”

“You’re not leaving,” he repeats. This time, it’sthevoice.

I pause momentarily, almost giving in. But then I remember Britney’s words. I zip up my bag, pull on some jeans, and grab my phone from the nightstand. His eyes follow me as I remove a hoodie from the closet.

“You walk out that door, I swear I’m going to put you over my knee.”

I stop in the doorway and turn to him. He’s not facing me. Coward.

“Goodbye, Gage.”

***Gage***

Goodbye? She’s out of her fucking mind if she thinks I’m letting her walk out of here.That stupid bitch Britney. I should have sent her packing a long time ago.I storm after Raven and find her begging Ron to give her a ride. He looks to me nervously, seeking permission.

“Raven,” I call to her.

“Ugh! Forget it. Forget you. Forget all of you!” she screams.

She rushes to the door, dialing on her phone.Who the fuck is she calling?I catch up with her outside and grab her wrist but she wrenches out of my grasp.

“Fuck off,pendejo!”

She starts rambling in Spanish, so I have no idea what the fuck she’s saying, but I know it can’t be good.

“Just calm down. Let’s go back inside and talk about this.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Babe –”

“Gage, please…”

Her tears fucking break me in half. I can’t stand to see her like this. Not again. And not over some bullshit.

“I just need some space.”