Page 56 of Loving the Tormentor

"Okay, sit down," Ella says, pointing at the couch as she pours me another drink.

I take it with a shaking hand.

"We told you about Hermes. That anonymous account exposing everyone's secrets on the SFU app."

Shit. They told me about it during the party, but something so much worse happened that night that I completely forgot about it.

"We also warned you about Achilles," Peach adds with a lifted eyebrow.

"Peach," Ella says sternly. "Give her some slack, will you?"

Alex offers me her phone. "Hermes posted about you."

My mouth drops, and I can't contain my gasp. It's a picture of me and Achilles in the audience at the concert hall last Monday. And it's theexactmoment he kissed me. It's clearly a screenshot from a security camera.

"We just… He gave me a priceless custom-made violin. Mine was damaged."

"Do you often kiss people as a thank you?" Peach asks.

"I didn't want to!"But I kind of did, not that I tell them that. "He did it. It was very brief. He took me by surprise. Oh my God, so, what, now everyone knows about that kiss?"

I look up from the phone at the three faces in front of me. All nodding.

"My boyfriend," I rasp.

"Only SFU students have access to this app," Ella explains.

"Don't be naïve," Peach jumps back in. "Any student can show this to anyone outside of college."

"Oh no, no, no," I mutter as a dread-filled shiver ripples down my spine.

"Nyx," Alex says softly. Her eyes search mine. "Did anything else happen between you two?"

My silence eggs them on.

"Oh my God," Ella groans. "Did you sleep with him?"

More silence.

Peach huffs. "At this point, you'rebeggingfor a broken heart."

I drop my face into my free hand. "You don't understand. It's complicated."

I feel them calm down, even though I'm not looking at them, and compassion replaces their shock.

"You hate him but kind of desperately want him too?" Peach asks.

"You know he's terrible for you, but you can't help hoping he's going to keep coming after you?" Alex adds.

"You want to run away when you think about how he's trying to get you, but when he's near you, you can't help melting into his hands?" Ella concludes.

I blink up at them. "Uh…yeah, actually. That was pretty well described. I want him to leave me alone, but when he does, I want him more?"

They all nod.

"We've been there," Alex explains. "Although, I have to say, the fact that this is happening with Achilles makes it about ten times worse. I would strongly suggest getting out while you can."

Ella nods her agreement. "You'll be lucky if this is just him chasing after something he can't have, and he'll leave you alone soon."