Page 110 of King of Pain

Suffocating… and final.

I squeeze my eyes shut, but the tears fall.

He’s out there, somewhere, alone.

And he doesn’t want me to come for him.

TRACK FORTY

True Colors

Anthony

Lexi and Jen kneel beside me, their hands hovering, unsure of how to comfort me as I crumple to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Jen reaches for me first, her arms wrapping around my shoulders.

“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry,” she whispers, stroking my back in slow, soothing motions.

Lexi, her jaw clenched, mutters, “I’m going to fucking kill him.”

Jen shifts her grip, trying to lift me up. “Come on, let’s get you on the couch. Where’s your liquor? You need to take the edge off, or you’re going to have a full-blown panic attack.”

“They keep it in the cabinet above the fridge,” Lexi answers. “Grab the tequila.”

Jen moves quickly, retrieving the bottle and three glasses, then bringing them to the coffee table. She pours a heavy amount into each glass and slides one to me. I take it and slam it back without thinking.

Lexi raises a brow. “Well, okay then.”

Jen refills my glass, and this time, I take just one sip before setting it on the coffee table. My body sinks into the couch, and I rest my head against the back cushion. The girls position themselves on either side of me, turned in to face me, their hands resting on my arms.

I roll my head back and forth against the cushion, and I manage to whisper. “He’s gone.”

The warmth of their hands on me does nothing to ease the pain, the dagger lodged deep in my chest. The moment I blink,fresh tears spill over, and I break again. My body folds forward, elbows planted on my knees as sobs wrack through me.

The girls rub my back, their voices soft and soothing.

“Hey, it’s gonna be okay,” Jen murmurs, grabbing napkins from the takeout bags and pressing them into my hands.

I take them, swiping at my eyes, trying to pull myself together. But the second I try to speak, I shatter all over again, gasping for air.

Lexi and Jen drop to their knees in front of me, gripping my hands, their eyes full of worry.

“I—” I gasp. “I—”

Lexi squeezes my hand, grounding me. “Shh. Take your time.”

I slowly take a deep breath, then finally manage to force out the words that have been clawing at my throat.

“I’m—I’m in love with him.”

They both inhale sharply.

Jen climbs back onto the couch, cupping my face in her hands, her eyes filled with sympathy, and… understanding? “We know, sweetie.”

I blink through my tears. “You do?”

Lexi smirks. “Yep. It’s been a tiny bit obvious.” Then her expression softens, her voice gentle but sure. “More obvious?He’sbeen in love withyoufor a long while now.”

I scoff, shaking my head. “Then how could he just leave like this? He showed me who I was, made me fall in love with him… and then he just leaves?”