“Next subject. We’re not having that conversation.”
“Fine.” I reason with him. “I’ll save that for later.” Have his eyes always been that pretty? They’re the prettiest shade of olive I’ve ever seen. I blow out a heavy breath, suddenly forgetting why I’m here.
“Are you done?”
“No.” Swallowing hard, I continue, “You have every right to call me a homewrecker because, right now, I feel like one. You, Jagger, and Crew have been best friends for as long as I can remember and right now, you’re all fighting because of me—”
“That, we are,” he cuts me off, and it seems he’s eating his words about not responding.
“Okay, now that we’re clear on that. I need you to know it’s not what I want. I can’t stand you, Neo. No one has ever treated me as awful as you—”
“Are you sure about that?” he cuts me off again, and it’s starting to annoy me.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“So, I’ve treated you worse than a stalker who is taunting you and probably hiding in these woods, watching you at this very second?”
“Yeah,” I spit out honestly, “that person might scare me more than you do, but there’s no doubt you’ve caused me more pain.”
He leans back, one elbow pressed behind him to the seat. He reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulls out a toothpick, popping it in his mouth. “Good.” He smirks around it, pleased with himself.
“See what I mean? That!” I point at him with both hands. “That arrogant-ass attitude you have.”
“Don’t like it? Then leave.”
I stomp my foot to the ground beside his sled, cursing internally. “You’re so infuriating. There is no reasoning with you, is there?”
“Nope.” He moves forward, straightening his back, and starts the engine.
“Neo!” I huff. “Don’t you dare leave. I’m not done.”
He lifts a smirk and accelerates right in my direction, then circles me. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get back to school.”
Then he takes off, leaving me furious and ready to strangle him. I have never met someone so maddening in my entire life.
ChapterTwenty-Three
SCAR
I’ma statue standing in Neo’s dust of snow. At a loss for words, I just watch, half expecting him to come back because, who the hell does that?
More than one person has made a claim that Neo would protect me if needed; yet, he leaves me here, alone, with the tunnel door still open?
Anyone could climb up that ladder right now and drag me to my death. The truth is, Neo doesn’t care, and they're all blinded by their own issues with him, they don’t see the death wish he has for me.
I turn around slowly, eyes on the opening to the tunnels. Anyone can come up, but also, anyone can go down.
Walking toward it, the voices in my head battle.
Don’t do it, you stupid girl.
And…
Go. Search for answers. Find out anything you can about Kenna, Jeremy, and their son.
Or better yet…
Find proof that this monster had his eyes on me even at a twenty-thousand-foot elevation. That he had the means to push Maddie from that cliff.