Page 81 of Make Me Bleed

“Let’s go back inside to talk. It’s cold out here.”

I look down at his hand on me and back up at his face before sighing. “Damn you for being so rational right now. I can barely even think straight,” I mutter but follow his prompt and move back inside, a little incensed I don’t even have a buzz to get through this inevitable conversation. But Peris seems very fucking motivated for some reason.

When Peris makes it to the couch, he drops down onto it and looks up at me expectantly. I arch a brow and quirk my lips before sliding past him and moving toward my bed. I flop down on the messy, black sheets and sprawl out, getting comfortable on my belly as I face him.

When our eyes meet, he arches a brow, and I purse my lips but don’t say anything.

“Good idea,” he finally acquiesces. “It’s probably smart to keep some distance.”

“Can’t keep your hands off me, huh?”

“No,” he admits, and my heart stutters.

“Right…” I trail off, staring at him. Who is this person, and what has he done with Peris Baxter?

“I want you, Abel. And I think you want me, too.” I swallow thickly. “But there’s a lot—and probably too much—shit between us that I don’t know how to get through.”

“To say the least,” I mutter, shaking my head.

“Don’t be a smartass with me right now, runt,” he snaps, hands clasped together between his bent knees.

I freeze, lips curling inward. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine. I’m just…” He blows out a breath, and it causes some of the waves across his forehead to dislodge themselves.“I want to have a conversation.” He seems to spit the words out between clenched teeth, and I want to laugh. He looks constipated.

“A conversation… about…”

“Us.”

“Us…”

“Are you just going to keep repeating everything I fucking say, or do you have anything to contribute?” he snaps, and I rear back. Someone’s feeling vulnerable.

“I don’t know what you want me to say, to be honest.”

“The fucking truth would be nice.”

“I’ve been truthful. I don’t know why we have to have a whole obvious sit-down for it right now.”

“Because we need to lay everything out and have clear boundaries or what the fuck ever.”

“Who told you this? Gabe?” I almost snort imagining it.

“Ma, actually,” he admits, and my blood runs cold. I rush to sit up, feeling sick to my stomach.

“You talked to Elise about this?”

“Of course, I did, Abel.” He says it like I’m stupid.

“I just…”Fuck.“I didn’t realize…”

“She still loves you, you know.” And I lose it. Tears fill my eyes, blurring my vision, and they spill over before I can control it. I feel their tracks down my cheeks in hot, shameful paths. I try to swipe them away, but the next ones come just as fast, and I can’t fight it. The pain in my chest is too much to battle, and a silent sob works its way through me, and I double over on myself, clutching my middle as the pain eats at me.

I blink, and arms are wrapping around me, hauling me against a warm, strong body, and I lose my shit. I clutch Peris tightly against me, uncaring that I’m sobbing and probably getting snot all over his shirt. “Baby, shh. It’s okay.” That only makes me cry harder, and I bury my nose in his chest, breathinghim in until all I can smell is the spice and warmth of his deodorant and cologne.

Peris runs his fingers through my hair in soft, gentle strokes as he softly hushes me and lets me cry against him.

I’m not sure how long we lie there, but eventually, my sobs slow into powerful hiccups that rock us both on the mattress. “Fuck,” I breathe out eventually, and Peris chuckles.