Page 66 of Triumphant Kings

I’m doing my best to eat and trying not to think about how all I want to do is reject it. My body is telling me it’s hungry, but my mind is putting me off it.

I’m trying so damn hard not to fall into old habits. This time, it’s not because of the bullying. Sure, it’s not helping, but it’s nothow I see my body that has me wanting to be skinny, forcing myself not to eat.

It’s the stress of everything going on.

My appetite isn’t what it used to be, and I’m at the point where I have to force myself to eat.

Thankfully, I’m not puking it up, but still. It’s not normal. It’s not healthy, and if I keep going at this rate, people are going to start to notice.

So I tell my brain to fuck off, and keep eating what Collin feeds me, praying I don’t suffer for it later.

I’m fine. I know it’s just the stress. Once we’re over all of this, things will go back to normal. In the meantime, I’ll keep doing what I’m doing and force myself to eat.

“Thank you.” I tilt my head back to look up at Collin.

“For what?” he kisses me.

“For being amazing. For loving me. For bringing me here to get away from our very fucked up lives.”

He sighs heavily. “You shouldn’t be thanking me for loving you, it’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done. As for the fucked up lives, that’s all on me. I’m the one who brought a monster into your world.”

“Stop.” I hug his arm, getting more comfortable on his lap. “You had no control over that. He’s not a deal breaker to be with you and Preston. He never was. I’d fight a million monsters like him to have what we have.”

“We don’t deserve you.” Collin kisses my throat. “But we’re fucking grateful to have you.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“I love you. Thank you for choosing me.”

“I didn’t choose you, Collin. You were always meant to be mine.”

“And that right there is why we don’t deserve you. And why we’re going to burn the fucking world down for our happy ending.”

“I’ll be right there by your side as we do it.”

That is something I’ve never been more sure about in my whole life.

They are my life. My present and future. Nothing anyone can do will change that. Not if we have any power over it.

Chapter 14

Sadie

It seems like every time something good happens in my life, something bad shows itself.

Life had been so good with the guys. While I’m still getting the occasional judgmental look from the odd person now and then, people have been leaving me alone about my relationships. Something tells me that Preston has something to do with it. I’ve seen the warning looks he’s sent people's way. But I don’t care.

I have good men who love me, the best friends a girl could ask for, and parents who support me.

Life is perfect. Only it’s not.

I’ve been doing my best to keep my emotions under control when I’m around people, but the moment I’m home alone, I’m a mess.

With every passing day, I can feel myself spiraling down a path I’m not sure I’m going to be able to find my way out of.

More and more, I’m hit with the feeling that I’m not safe, always looking over my shoulder, unable to shake the feeling that someone's watching me.

That he’s watching me.