Strongly, she holds my gaze. Holding out for a long moment as her lips pull to one side. The disdain coating her voice makes my heart sink.
“The fool.”
Then in true Rory fashion, when things get too personal, she seeks refuge. The sound of wood smacks the wall, echoing as it bounces off her exit.
I let her leave once and she disappeared. So, she’s delusional if she thinks I’m about to let it happen again.
I take off after her. We are the furthest thing from done.
thirteen
Cole
Rorydoesthis.Runninga familiar tactic. It’s the only way she knows how to protect herself. What she doesn’t realize is that she’s hurting me more than herself in the process.
“Would you slow down?” I bark.
She picks up her speed.
I go to reach for her, but she whips around before I get the chance. Cutting herself off from heading into the bathroom. Chest rising and falling in soft little pants, standing in my shadow.
“Go back to class, Kellet,” she murmurs quietly. Voice so different from the girl minutes ago. I can’t stomach that defeat in her tone.
Her jaw is tight, but her focus is on my chest. Rory doesn’t do anything other than concentrate on where my tie hangs. Why won’t she look up at me?
I debate reaching for her chin but decide against it. I hate that I can no longer touch her whenever I want. That I have to think about it instead of being given the privilege.
We may not be touching, but this is the closest she’s allowed me to come since being back. Less than a foot apart, even though, in reality, it feels like miles.
Her breathing shallows but that pulse point on her neck throbs. All I can think to do is stand here like an idiot.
I clench my teeth in a deep breath, but it does nothing because now I recognize the signs. I should have noticed that subtle bit of hoarseness clinging to her voice earlier, but in my reprieve, I hadn’t.
Remorse washes over me.
She’s breaking down right in front of me and there’s nothing I can do because I caused it. I can see the torment that burns underneath those thick lashes, and it kills me.
I wish I could take it all back.
“Tell me what I need to do,” I croak. Desperate to fix this.Fix us.
She stays statuesque. Studiously avoiding my gaze.
My girl has trust issues. Ones from the past and the new, recent ones I’ve added to the list. Rory doesn’t let people in, but I’d been one of the rare few. Not so much anymore.
“Princess…”
A broken sound pushes past her lips and something inside me dies when she finally lifts her head. I feel as big of a bastard as the one who’d raised me.
Her cheeks as blotchy as her eyes. Fat tears stuck in the corners that she refuses to let fall. Exposing every cut, every wound. No longer holding back, letting me see it all.
Every raw piece of vulnerability.
It knocks me with the force of a typhoon.
“I’ll fix this,” I promise.
Her eyelids smash together. Head shaking side to side as she hugs herself. The dam of tears she has inside threatening to break free.