Chapter 31

Arrick’s voice breaks, and I freeze, tears pouring down my face as my heart thuds through my chest at his rush of words. I stay still, like a marooned stone when the tide has gone out, staring at the house looming above me as he moves closer. Unable to think straight and am caught as my heart chooses to stop my feet from moving while my brain tells me to run fast and far away.

“I know I have a lot to answer for and make up to you. All I need is a chance to talk to you sober. Time to tell you everything. Please?” His breath tickles my cheek, my resolve weakens, and I get angry at how pathetic and weak I am. That I am even considering letting him win me around and listening to him to cure the pain he causes me. Natasha appears in my mind’s eye to serve as a reminder and a taunt.

I’m as pathetic as her.

“What about her? Sat in your mom’s house like a good little puppy?” I bite, anger and agony colliding, and that age-old feeling of guilt where Natasha is concerned, fi