Page 80 of Forever Mine
“Why was there some chick I don’t know doing my session today?”
I asked Director Winters if I could reduce my hours for a few weeks. Partly because of everything going on, partly because I needed a break, and partly because of the whole avoiding David thing.
“Patti is a great?—”
“I don’t give a shit about Patti. I don’t appreciate you dropping me without talking to me first.”
David steps closer, angrier than I’ve ever seen him. I take an automatic step back. The subconscious reflex pisses me off. I never cowered in front of Marshall, no matter how many times I found myself under his fist. I kicked the crap out of my attacker. So, it confounds the fuck out of me why my fight or flight reaction is now stuck in flight mode.
“I didn’t drop you. Patti is helping me out for a few?—”
“You expect me to believe that? I know why you’re?—”
Fed up with him cutting me off, I shout, “You don’t know a fucking thing, David, because you won’t shut the hell up for two seconds and let me talk!”
David’s voice rises in frustration. “Letyoutalk? Are you being serious right now? I text you, you don’t reply. I call you, you don’t answer. I come by, you’re not here. And it’s not like I can drop by Julien’s place to see you.”
“I asked Patti to cover for me because I’m dealing with some personal things. Things that have nothing to do with you.”
David scoffs, a bitter edge to his tone. “I think we both know that’s a lie.”
I shake my head, feeling a surge of irritation at his refusal to listen. Circumventing him, I zip up my bag and lift it by the handle.
“I can’t do this right now. If you don’t want Patti to do your sessions, fine. We can pick things back up in a couple of weeks.”
“You should have called me. A heads up would’ve been nice.”
Going for honesty, I reply, “What you said made me very uncomfortable, and I don’t know how to talk to you right now.”
When I try to get to the closet because I forgot to pack my running shoes, David sidesteps in front of me, blocking my way.
“I’m sorry I said those things about Julien, but I’m not going to hide my feelings anymore. I never expected to meet anyone like you. You’re so amazing and incredibly gorgeous, and I love spending time with you. You make me feel alive. It’s the first time I’ve feltanythingsince Daimon.”
“What about how I feel, or does that not matter?”
It startles me when he abruptly takes my face in his hands and intimately sweeps his thumbs over my cheeks. “Of course it matters.”
I promptly retreat a few feet to put space between us. “Please don’t touch me like that. You don’t get to touch me like that,” I calmly tell him.
“Elijah, please.”
David reaches for me but is stopped when Ash suddenly appears and inserts himself between us.
“I think it’s time for you to go.”
Ash is half David’s size, but he stands toe to toe with him.
David unwillingly pulls himself away and almost runs down Mei on his way out.
I drop my bag to the floor and spear my hands through my hair as I gather my thoughts.God dammit.
“I’ll head back to my dorm,” Mei says.
“Stay. I was just heading out,” I reply.
Ash plants a hand to my chest to prevent me from leaving. “You’re not going anywhere. Park it and don’t move.” He goes over to Mei and kisses her. “I’ll call you later.”
Her onyx eyes sparkle. “You better. Bye, Elijah.”
