Page 101 of Ravaged Soul

“I’m starting to understand that.”

“This is what teams do. We support each other. Share the load. We keep each other afloat when the world comes crashing down around us.”

“Do teams attack each other too?”

As soon as the question slips out, I internally curse myself.Wrong time, wrong place.But I hate this weird tension between us, the physical distance that feels like a whole fucking country.

Warner sighs, the sad sound laden with bone-deep fatigue. “Jamie can wait. Let’s talk somewhere more private, Tom doesn’t need to hear this.”

“Probably for the best.”

I gingerly take the arm he extends to guide me into a vacant examination room, flipping the door sign to ‘occupied’ on his way past. When he closes us in, the balloon in my chest threatens to rupture.

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

“I have.” He glances around the white room. “I needed some time to think.”

My lips seal shut as I lean against the wall. “Is that all?”

“Yes.”

“Just admit that you didn’t want to see me.”

“That’s not true.” Warner folds his arms, biceps bulging against his cotton tee. “I need space sometimes too.”

“From me?”

“Maybe. Yes.”

More pain lances across my chest, causing the backs of my eyes to burn. I stare down at the floor until the sensationpasses. His silence feels deafening in the small space we share, temporarily tucked away from the world.

“Em…”

“I was worried about you.” My voice comes out croaky, borderline ashamed. “That’s all.”

“Look, I regret what happened with Madden.” His taut posture reveals the reluctance of his confession. “But seeing his hands on you was more than I could handle. You need to understand how I feel.”

“I’m trying to, but you’re not making it any easier. You don’t open up. You run away and hide when things get tough. You beat the shit out of Blaine rather than taking a moment to actually think.”

Warner’s stubbled face cringes like he’s tasted something unpleasant.

“What did you expect me to do? Shake his hand?”

“How about behave like an adult?” I suggest.

“I’m the only one acting like an adult by considering the consequences of my actions. I’d recommend trying it.”

“What consideration?” I laugh in his face. “You broke his nose!”

His head throws back so he can stare at the ceiling. “That asshole had his hands where they don’t belong. He’s lucky I didn’t hack them off along with his wandering tongue.”

“Jesus. You know what? Forget it.”

Pushing off from the wall, I move to escape the small room. What I don’t expect is for Warner to barge in front of me, literally blocking the exit.

“Move!”

“No.” He braces his hands in the doorframe. “I want to talk to you.”