Page 41 of The Monster I Am
“You don’t have to say it back,” I tell her reassuringly. “I just wanted to say it. It felt right.”
It stings a little when her body relaxes, but she’s not running away or doing something crazy like punching me, so I tell myself to be patient. I know what we have is real. I can feel it—in our chemistry, in our power-fighting banter, and most importantly, in the quiet moments when there’s no expectations. The peace.
Her eyes finally meet mine. “Did you pay my hospital bills?” She asks randomly.
“Yes,” I answer without hesitation. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?”
“I suspected it,” she admits quietly. “I was too scared to ask though.”
“Why?”
Bex’s lips tilt into a half-cocked smile. “Because it meant we’d be having this conversation and I wasn’t ready for the truth.”
“And you’re ready now?”
“No,” she laughs softly, gazing shyly at the ground. “But if I keep avoiding it, I’ll never be ready. It’s probably the first time in my life I wasn’t chasing answers.”
Nodding with complete understanding, I relax back into my chair. “It’s scary, isn’t it?”
“Love means something to lose,” she whispers, the raw admission so barely audible that my ears strain to catch each syllable. “And I’ve already lost so much.”
I squeeze her hand in mine. “You have,” I agree. “It’s not fair.”
“Did you do it because of my mom?” Bexley asks, and when her eyes flicker back up to mine, they are shining with unshed tears.
I entwine our fingers together, preparing her, because even though we both know the answer, it’s not going to make it hurt any less. “I didn’t want you waking up in the place you lost her, trapped between four walls you couldn’t escape from.”
Bexley nods at my reply, a tear slipping down her cheek which she hastily brushes away. “Thank you.” Pausing, her brows furrow together before her stare somehow intensifies. “You really love me?”
Her voice cracks on the word that I know haunts her, and I hate the fact that everything in her life has made her be afraid of this. Afraid of something we all crave. Something pure and innocent. But who wouldn’t be petrified when everyone who’s ever claimed to love you has left in one way or another?
“Yep,” I confirm effortlessly, attempting to lighten the mood. “Hey, the song’s done.”
Bex lets out a shaky breath but shuffles back closer as we return our attention to Lawless Dragons.
Dang—I knew I should have placed that bet. The band announces their upcoming tour just as we suspected.
We watch the rest of the live in silence, and while no words pass between us, Bex keeps a snug hold of my hand, refusing to let go, saying what she’s not ready to admit out loud yet.
To my actual surprise, I ended up in detention for skipping class.
Normally, I’d be irked and arrange a way out of it, but I’m utterly fascinated by the man in front of me.
Even if I wasn’t familiar with all the teaching staff, it’s abundantly clear he belongs to Cedar Heights. None of the Willowbrook teachers would ever be caught dead with lavender hair and mismatched clothing.
No, really. It’sfascinating. He’s completely unbothered with being here—both detention and Willowbrook in general—and despite some of the less than welcoming remarks I’ve heard, he’s still so…perky.
What’s even more surprising is I’m the only student in detention, so it’s just the two of us, staring off at each other.
“Go on,” he says with a short laugh, beaming at me. “I can see that mind swirling with questions. Fire away.”
I chuckle, amused. “It’s that obvious?”
Mr. Martin—I think—grins, twirling a fluffy pink pompom keychain around his finger. “Curious minds are the hardest to hide. Come on,” he baits teasingly. “I promise I’ve heard it all. But I’d be a lousy teacher if I left you curious.”
Folding my arms, I lean back, stretching my legs out. “Curiosity killed the cat,” I reply.
“Exactly! So, what’s on your mind, Rylan?”
