“I was fucking them both, Riv. Thinking that I was in control of my life when really it was all some warped game. It was him you know. The guy from the costume party all those weeks ago, it was Ryder. And they didn’t tell me. All this time, they didn’t… What?” I notice she’s looking at me with a dumbfounded expression.
“You care about them… both of them.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Kat, of course it matters. I love three men,three. If you want them both, there is nothing to say that you can’t—”
“They lied,” I shriek, my heart shattering all over again. “Styx went on and on about not wanting to share me, but all this time, he let me go off with Ryder and…”
I can’t even say the words because I feel cheap. Used and tainted.
River takes my hand in hers and gives me a small smile. “Has it ever occurred to you that they didn’t want to lose you?”
“W-what?”
“Maybe they didn’t tell you because they didn’t want to overwhelm you and scare you off.”
“That’s not… even if that’s true, they still should have told me. They’ve both had more than one opportunity. Instead, I woke up in a hospital bed and heard them talking about me like I’m some fucking toy they can just pick up and play with whenever they feel like it.”
“Kat…”
“Just go, Riv. My head feels like it’s going to explode. I think I need to sleep it off.”
“Yeah, okay. Do you need anything before I go?”
“Just… try and keep my brother away from me for a while. I’m not ready to deal with him.”
“I’ll try my best.”
“Thanks.”
River moves to the door. “I know it feels like everything is messed up now, but maybe you need to hear them out first before you make any hasty decisions.”
“There’s nothing to decide,” I murmur. “It’s over. We’re done.”
And there is no going back.
* * *
Iwake suddenly to the sound of pained cries. For a second, I think it’s coming from my room. But as the disorientation leaves my body, I realize it’s Mom.
Mom.
Throwing back the covers, I leap out of bed and run into the hall. The room spins a little and I have to press my hand to the wall to steady myself.
A head injury is no joke but from the wails of agony coming from Mom’s room, I know she needs me more right now.
“Mom, I’m here. I’m right— Oh God.” I drop to the side of her bed and grab her hand, the painful spasms racking through her.
“K-Kat,” he cries. “Pain, baby. The pain…”
“Shh, Mom. I got you. Aunt Cassie,” I call, Aunt Cass—”
“What in the hell’s bells is going on in— I’ll call the doctor,” she rushes out the second she notices Mom’s contorted posture.
“Am… bu… ah”—she tries to breathe through it—“lance.”
“No, Mom. We can handle it. Aunt Cassie can get your pills and—”