Page 107 of The Obedient Lie

Griffin’s tins were Caplan blue.

You two would be on the trust list.

Like we were something precious.

As if we hadn’t done things that would make herrunif she knew.

I turned sharply, hands braced against the counter.

My heart was racing.

She trusted us.

She trusted us.

And she didn’t even know what the fuck she was giving away.

I looked at Bastion. He hadn’t moved. Not a twitch.

Too quiet.

Too still.

That’s how I knew it was bad.

Because normally, I’m the quiet one. And Bastion’s the storm.

The blow-up-the-room-and-ask-questions-later kind of fury.

But when we’re triggered—when it’sbad—we switch.

I spiral.

And Bastion disappears into silence.

Like now.

I crossed back to the couch and stared down at him.

“Say something.”

Nothing.

“Bastion—say something.”

Still nothing. Just the twitch of his jaw. His hand a statue on her waist like if he let go, the whole world would shift out from under us.

“You can’t do this to me,” I snapped. “You don’t get to go quiet right now.”

I was breathing too fast. My voice was rising.

“You always do this,” I said, teeth clenched. “You lock it down. You shut it out. You get that look like you’re made of concrete and I’m the one who has tofeelall of it for both of us.”

My throat was tight. I could barely speak.

“I’m not okay,” I said. “I’mnotbuilt to carry us both.”

I ran a hand through my hair, gripping hard at the roots.