Page 205 of No Need to Run
The words are simple. But they feel heavier than anything else I’ve said.
She exhales slowly. Something shifts in her expression.
And for a second, the chaos fades.
The embarrassment.
The bruises.
The fact that I just broke into her house like an idiot.
None of it matters.
Because I’m here. With her.
And she's looking at me like the only thing that matters is that I came.
Even though my intentions were a bit... crazy.
Her hand doesn’t leave my arm.
Why does it feel like everything’s just changed?
43
VIOLET
Drew Locke is a sweaty,scratched-up, leaf-covered disaster currently standing in my hallway with one shoelace untied, his shirt ripped near the hem, and a red mark blooming on his forehead from something I’m almost afraid to ask about.
Callie is still laughing, bent over with one hand braced on the wall, wheezing like she might actually need medical assistance.
“This is so hilarious,” she gasps, pointing at Drew, “You should win an award for worst stalker.”
Drew’s face goes scarlet.
“I’m not a stalker,” he snaps.
I lift a brow.
Callie laughs harder.
Drew looks at me, then at the tennis racket still clutched loosely in Callie’s hand. “Can you please tell her to stop laughing? And to drop the racket?”
“No,” I say. “She seems happy.”
“I was attacked.”
“You broke into our house.”
His lips part, but nothing comes out.
I smile.
I like it when he realizes he has no defense.
Callie wipes tears from beneath her eyes. “Oh my God. This is the funniest shit ever.”
“Shut up.” Drew points at her. “You hit me with a tennis racket.”
