“Was good to do it,” I admit, and Magnus slides down my body.
And once his feet hit the ground, I feel it.
Feel him.
Turning slowly, I see Whit standing across the room, his hands clenched by his sides, his mouth parted slightly as if breathless. He looks good, thinner than usual, the cheekbones in his face more prominent, a purple hue under his eyes. But he still looks like a dream. Why is he here? He hates these things.
And then I realize.
He saw me with Magnus. He must think….
“Oh shit,” I mutter and then begin to move. My legs tremble so hard that I trip slightly, knocking over a chair, trying to catch him. But he’s too quick. He’s out the door and into the cold night before I can even reach him.
Don’t fucking run, asshole!
“Whit!” I call out, cursing myself for letting Magnus get the better of me. For wrapping himself around me. What must Whit think, seeing us like that?
“Whit!” I’m bellowing like a mad man, running at full speed to catch up to him. People stop and stare, but I don’t care. Just need to get to him. To make him understand.
It's only when I finally reach out and grasp onto his arm that he stops. He’s panting, his cheeks flushed, his hair tousled.
“I shouldn’t have come,” he blurts, his fingers clutching his stomach. “Go back to Magnus. I…” his words trail off, and he swipes at his eyes. “You looked happy. You should just go back. I’m fine. I’ll be fine.”
“Fuck that. You might be fine, but I’ve been miserable,” I blurt. So much for playing hard to get. That was never my thing anyway. “Magnus was just being an annoying little shit. It meant nothing.”
“He wants you.”
“No, he doesn’t. He’s just being…Magnus.”
Whit blinks rapidly and then turns to walk away. Again.
“Don’t go,” I say, grasping onto him, holding him in place.
It’s been too long. Too long, and I’m so weak. I can’t let him go again. I just need a few minutes with him. To just gaze at him.
“You really should go back there. To him. He’s….” he swallows roughly. “He’s perfect for you.”
I reach up and grab at my hair and tug on it. Thisinfuriatingman.
“I’m not with Magnus,” I nearly shout. “I’m not interested in anyone but you! I don’twantanyone but you! Get that through your stupid, smart head!”
Whit watches me, those dark eyes assessing the truth of my statement, and then he exhales shakily.
“Are you....are you sure?”
“Of course I’m fucking sure, Whit. I want you! YOU!”
He’s silent for a moment and then, “Oh. Okay.”
“Okay? That’s it? That’s all I get after everything. No, absolutely not, man. You need to give me more. Why did you show up tonight? Youhatethese things. Why are you here?”
He watches me, silent, and then, “I came to find you.”
Yes. Yes, Fuck yes.
“Why?” I ask, my voice hoarse, my heart beating so hard I can hear it in my ears.
Whit plays with the end of his coat, his fingers tugging a thread free and wrapping it around his thumb. “I gave it up. All of it.”