Stained

Chapter 95

He places his elbows on his knees and cups the back of his neck. "Fucking messed up situation we've got going on here," he angrily mumbles.

His previous words echo painfully loud inside my head, ricocheting with great momentum. Did he say that because he's heard about what happened with me? Does he like everyone else believe it was all in my head? Is he afraid of it being turned around on him? But how could he know, it happened five years ago and despite time helping others forget what happened, it still haunts me day in and day out but no one else knows that. Unless it's happened with someone else and my name was mentioned.

My head is a jumble. A mess. Nothing makes sense. Nothing ever does when thoughts of my traumatic past come into play.

But he heard what I shouted at Hannah so it must be because of that.

Tears threaten to fall but I don't let them. Not now. Not when Damien's here. Never again.

That little strength creates a small gust of fight. "It's not my fault you got yourself into a messed up situation with me, you're the one who insisted on driving me and letting me stay at your house," I whisper harshly.

Pulling his hands away, he turns his head to face me, eyes sharp as they bore into mine. "Don't worry, after today I'll make sure to stay the fuck away from you." 

I swallow back the lump his words create. "Good. I'm glad. And if you ever show me your face, even by accident I'll—."

"You'll what?" He deadpans slowly.

I purse my lips, but then tuck my lips in between my teeth when a smart retort comes to mind. Usually, with retorts it's super easy to suppress — sorry not easy; my people-pleasing instinct. To say I'm surprised to find myself fighting to keep one back would be an understatement.

I quickly lose the battle.

I turn his previous words around on him. "I will get as close to you as I possibly can," the words feel so strange, so taboo on my tongue it takes everything in me to stifle a laugh. "Close enough to touch you."

His head snaps up, his eyes so wide I wouldn't be surprised if they fell out of their sockets. And then he chuckles low and dark, shakes his head. "Do you even know how to touch a guy?"

Jerk.

A voice I've only ever heard once, a daredevil I never knew existed before Damien, compels me to...