The state I'm in COMPLETED

What?

"Harry... Stop. Harry... Please, stop!"

I don't remember exactly how it all ended—how we managed to drag Harry off Leo, what words were shouted, or who got involved first. The only thing I do remember, the only thing that replayed in my head like a sick joke, was that Leo didn't fight back.

Not once.

Not when Harry's fists landed blow after blow, not when he snarled words filled with venom, not when Mark and another guy finally dragged him back. Leo just lay there, blood dripping from his busted lip, his split brow a deep shade of red.

On my right, Leo—bruised, broken—his eyes searching for me.
On my left, Harry—breathing heavily, fuming, wild—his gaze locked onto mine, waiting.

Waiting for me to pick a side.

And in that moment, I did the only thing I knew how to do.

I left.

I shoved past the staring crowd, past Rose kneeling beside Leo, past the mess we had all made. The second I reached the back alley, I collapsed onto the wooden bench—the one that, ironically, had witnessed too many of my life's disasters.

I was shaking.

My fingers brushed against my lips as Leo's kiss replayed in my mind.

What the hell had he been thinking?

Did he have a death wish? He knew Harry was only a few feet away. He knew exactly what it would do to him. This was not part of the plan. The plan—as flawed as it was—was to make them believe we had moved on, not to ignite a fucking war.

And Harry?

Why would he risk everything by losing control like that?

My pulse was still racing when the door behind me opened.

"Valerie?"

I barely had time to register his voice before he was standing in front of me. I didn't need to look up. I already knew.

Harry.

The fury was still rolling off him in waves—his wrinkled shirt, his messy hair, his fists still clenched.

"What the fuck, Harry?" I snapped.

His face twisted in disbelief, as if my reaction was the last thing he expected.

"What the fuck do you mean?!" he fired back. "He was all over you, Valerie. That wasn't part of the deal—or did you enjoy it?"

My jaw clenched. "Had I enjoyed it, I could have it every damn day. So don't give me that bullshit!" I spat, knowing full well my words would cut deep.

Harry's body stiffened; his breath ragged. "I swear to fucking God, Val, if he touches you again, I won't hold back."

"Oh, so now I belong to you? Should I just sit here and let you piss around me like some caveman marking his territory?"

His jaw flexed. "Don't be ridiculous."

"Then stop acting like a jealous asshole!"

He let out a sharp breath, dragging a hand through his hair. "You don't get it, do you? He's in love with you, Val. He kissed you to make me snap, to make me the bad guy."

I scoffed. "You didn't need help being the bad guy, Harry. You handled that all on your own."

Silence.

Heavy. Suffocating.

He took a step back. I could see the wheels turning in his head, the realization that I wasn't going to defend him this time.