Page 92 of The Monster I Am
“That’s also different,” he argues. “He’s your lifelong best friend.”
I grin, shifting in my seat. Reaching over, I place my hand on his thigh, biting back a laugh when he tenses up.
Well, shit. The great Rylan Astor has emotions. Love really does make you do strange things—like be more human. I guess it makes sense. Love is the cornerstone of our existence.
Ry drops one hand from the steering wheel to grasp mine, bringing it up to his lips. He kisses my knuckles without removing his eyes from the road. “Sorry,” he grunts quietly.
“Don’t be,” I tell him softly. “I love that you’re protective of me. I loveyou.”
His lips twitch into a smirk. “AndTai.” He pauses. “AndHunter.”
“Did Tai say something? Because I’ll kick his ass.”
Laughing, Ry shakes his head, resting our joined hands back on his leg. “No, he hasn’t. But it’s obvious, Bex. I know you. And I know them.”
“And you’re not jealous?” I tease.
He shoots me a dirty sideway glance. “You know I’m not. That guy just… gives off weird vibes.”
At his confession, I relent, relaxing into the passenger seat. “I know,” I admit, voice barely above a whisper. “But I keep thinking it’s just the way we were brought up. It makes me feel sick.”
“Why?” He asks, concerned.
I sigh. “Because I hate painting someone innocent as someone sinister. It just feels like shit is getting out of control lately and I don’t know who to trust outside of my circle. Your dad has been awfully quiet after his threats and I just get the sense that it’s…too quiet. Then you add Tai and Hunter’s fathers into the mix and it’s all one big bomb waiting to detonate. Does that sound crazy?”
Rylan shakes his head. “No, it doesn’t. You’re right. But we should be suspicious. Those men can’t be trusted, and I have no doubt my father is planning something.”
I squeeze his hand. “You know we need to talk aboutthateventually.”
His eyebrows furrow as we stop at a red light. “We will,” he promises. “Soon. I just need time to process things and figure out a plan.”
“Let me help,” I tell him. “That’s what I’m here for.”
“You’re not,” he shoots back. “I won’t let our relationship be defined by that man.”
“Do you think by letting me help that you’re inconveniencing me?” I ask carefully. “Because you’re not. That’s what partners do, Ry. They help each other. You don’t have to carry the weight of this on your own. Don’t close me out. I’m strong, just like you.”
Ry glances over at me, giving me a tight smile. “You’re the strongest person I know, Bex. Which is why I won’t let him take you from me. Even if that means carrying it alone.”
We fall into silence as Willowbrook comes into view, and a minute later we’re driving through the gates into the parking lot.
People are hopping out of their vehicles, greeting each other in the morning light, and I can’t help but feel a little envious that the only problem they have to deal with is final exams. Sucks to be us. But we also wouldn’t behere, together, if we weren’t who we are.
Ry pulls into a spot, killing the engine. Unbuckling my seatbelt, I slide over, grabbing his face and forcing him to look at me.
“I refuse to let you carry it alone. You can fight me on it all you want, but you won’t win. I love you, Ry—and I love you even more for trying to protect me. But we’re stronger together. If weend up failing, then we fall down as one. I won’t negotiate on this. You’re now stuck with me; for better or for worse.”
“I’m a little turned on right now by you.”
Hunter’s admission is laced with amusement, but the look on his face screams, ‘What the actual hell is wrong with me?’
“I’m terrified to ask why,” I say, snorting as I begin opening drawers. “You know what? I actually think you would have fit in perfectly at Cedar Heights.”
He freezes, head snapping toward me in bewilderment. “You take that back right now.”
Yep. You can take the man out of Willowbrook, but you can’t take the Willowbrook out of the man.
I hold up my hands apologetically. “Hey—I’m not the one feeling horny over breaking and entering.”
