Page 82 of The Heart Breaker

“It’s perfect,” she says, shaking her head as she shifts on the bed and tucks her knees up. “I hope you’re having a better Christmas than I am.”

I let out a breath and tip my head back against the wall. “Sorry to disappoint. It fucking sucks.”

That gets a real smile out of her, and for a split second she actually looks her age. Just a sixteen-year-old girl on Christmas morning instead of someone who’s had to grow up way too fast. I can’t even remember the last time I saw that from her.

“You always hated Christmas anyway.”

I shrug, but she’s not wrong. Christmas stopped meaning much a long time ago.

She sighs, hugging her knees a little tighter. “I wish you were here.”

I close my eyes for a second. Part of me wants to grab my keys, get in the truck, and take her out of that house. But then I hear his voice in my head, threatening to call the cops and tell them I kidnapped her if I ever interfered again.

“Wish you were here instead,” I tell her.

Her eyes widen suddenly, flicking off to the side, and my whole body goes tight.

“He’s awake,” she says quickly. “I have to go.” She looks back at the screen, and her expression softens. “Love you, Cole.”

“Love you too,” I say, but the call cuts off before I’m ready for it to.

I stare at my phone for a second after the screen goes dark. I drag a hand down my face, regretting crushing the cigarette.

“Who’s the lucky girl?”

My head jerks up, landing on Aurora standing a few feet away with her arms folded tight over her cream coat. Her nose is pink from the cold, her lips matching, and I forget how to breathe.

“Not every day you tell someone you love them,” she says, her mouth curving into a bitter smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “She must be special.”

Something twists in my chest, wiping out whatever softness was there a second ago.

“None of your business,” I snap. “What the hell are you even doing here, Viper?”

Her mouth twists, something like hurt flashing across her face before it shifts into irritation. “God, you’re such an asshole.”

She turns and starts walking away, and I let her.

I watch her boots crunch through the thin layer of snow, my body tensing. I know I’m being a dick. I know I should let her keep walking because I still remember everything she did. Everything it cost me.

But I can’t seem to care about that right now, because she’s leaving, and for some inexplicable, unreasonable reason… I don’t want her to.

“Fuck,” I groan under my breath, moving before I can stop myself. I catch up to her in three strides and wrap my hand around her wrist. “Wait.”

She jerks out of my grip, spinning around with fire in her eyes. “Let me go.”

I let my hands fall to my sides and drag in a breath. “Don’t leave,” I say, swallowing hard. “Stay.”

I probably sound pathetic, but I want her to stay. I don’t know why she’s here instead of back home with her family, and I don’t know what she expects from me, but I don’t want her walking away. I want her here, with me.

She slowly turns, her eyes narrowing as they move over my face. “Say sorry,” she says, folding her arms across her chest.

I blink at her. “What?”

She lifts her chin. “You heard me. I’m not some girl you get to snap at and then call back when it suits you. You were a dick, so apologize.”

My jaw tightens as I stare at her.

I could tell her to leave. Could be done with her and go out to find someone easier to deal with. Someone who doesn’t push, doesn’t argue, doesn’t get under my skin or into my head, and doesn’t make me say shit I’ve never said to anyone in my life.