To Break

VIII

A/N: Woah, I got eight chapters into a story without an Author's Note? Who's proud? Oh wait... Whoops! Anywhoo I thought it was about time for another one so how are you all? I hope you're liking my story as much as I am. It is truly so great to write and I'm just glad people are reading it. I love all of you fantastic readers and honestly it wouldn't be the same if you weren't here to support me. So thank you. I hope you love this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! Let's see what Reece and Rainy get up to in this chapter!

***

"Reece?"

The wind has slowed and the rain ceased; the stillness of 2am. I sit still, fading back into consciousness to realise Reece is the one who warmed me up.

I wriggle my toes in my heeled boots, thankful that they have not turned blue and dropped off yet. I still wish I been smart enough to wear my thick winter boots. Regardless, my toes and fingers are still connected to my body and thanks to Reece, they are warm once again.

Reece's breathing deepens beside me and I can hear his brain ticking over. He doesn't know what to do; that much I can tell. After a prolonged moment he slips his arm back to his side, proceeding to cross his bare arms over his chest.

I frown. He was wearing a jumper just before. My eyes travel down to my arms to see them encased in not only my coat, but Reece's thick, woollen jumper as well. Meaning all he's wearing is his black t-shirt.

I begin to remove the jumper but he stops me, holding his hands up.

"Keep it." Is all he says, his tone impassive. "I don't feel the cold."

Right. I know that.

"Thank you," I find myself mumbling as I hug his jumper tighter to my thin frame. In an instant he gets to his feet and paces across to the opposing side of the farm house, his back finding the wooden walls as he faces me.

I can't figure out what he is doing. I know that he is trying to put as much distance between us as possible, but I can't comprehend why. When we first became trapped the only thing I wanted was to get out and run as far from here as possible, so maybe he is trying to do the same.

No. It can't be.

He was the one who left me.

As jagged a pill it is to swallow, our separation didn't impact him at all. It doesn't. Which is exactly why this makes no sense.

I hear him take a deep breath as his brown eyes lock on me. "Why did you believe the rumour?" His question surprises me. I thought he would have moved on from that topic by now. Although perhaps this is why he's moved away, so that I can't hit him in response; not that I would anyway.

"I don't know," I mutter, turning my gaze to my hands in my lap.

A gust of wind blows through the shed as Reece glares. "Yes you do. Tell me. Why did you believe the rumour?" Frustration begins to weave its way into his voice as he struggles to keep his temper in check.

"Um, I-I-," I trip over my words, grabbing my plaits to fidget with. A mixture of hay and dirt fly across the floor with the wind, building up against the left wall until the wind settles once again.

"Rainy," Reece says in warning. "Why?? I know you know better than to believe stupid rumours! Why? Why did you believe this one-"

"Because I loved you," I interrupt him in a whisper, only loud enough that he can hear it. "I loved you and you left. Do you know what that's like? To go day in day out with a broken heart?"

He stays silent. I can feel his eyes on me but I don't dare look up.

"Because it's freaking bullshit," I say. "It hurts. When you get your heart broken and hear a rumour that the guy who broke it has turned into a hateful man-whore, it makes life a lot easier."