The other person raised their palms. “I understand why you’re reacting like this. I really do. But you don’t need to worry about other people’s opinions. They might be surprised at first, because they didn’t expect you to fall for someone like me, but they’ll just have to get used to it. It’ll be fine.”
“It’s got nothing to do with what other people think, you fucking idiot! How can you not see that? I have absolutely zero attraction to you, and I ne—”
Hot lips brushed Lindsay’s mouth, cutting her off midsentence. The kiss wasn’t innocent or teasing. It was fiery and demanding. Hard and insistent. A slimy tongue poked into her mouth, flicking around hers, and she almost retched. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t break away from the tight embrace she found herself trapped in.
She finally managed to pull away a moment later, and she heaved in a breath and raised her fingers to her lips. They felt tender now. Bruised. “What the hell?” she spat out.
Shiny eyes met her gaze. “See?” came the voice again, breathy and passionate.
“See what?” Lindsay stiffened. “Are you expecting me to fall into your arms and say how good that kiss was? Because it wasn’t. It was fucking gross.”
“No. It was perfect. Like you.”
“For fuck’s sake! When are you going to get it through your thick fucking skull?” Lindsay screeched. “I don’t want you! I never will!”
“Don’t say that.”
The rain started to fall harder, drumming against the floor in a steady rhythm.
“I’m just being honest.” Lindsay wiped her mouth again. “And honestly, you’re dead in this town. This whole fucking country. Seriously. I’m going to tell everyone about this shit.”
“You can’t do that,” came the reply, barely audible above the loud pitter-patter of the raindrops.
Lindsay sneered. “Really? A few seconds ago you were raving on about how we can tell everyone about us. What happened to that bravery, huh?”
“That was before—”
“Before what? Before you finally realized I genuinely don’t want you?”
The other person’s muscles went rigid, neck cording with concern. “Lindsay… you wouldn’t really tell anyone that I said all of this, would you?” they said softly.
“Are you kidding?” she hissed. “You’re completely delusional! I’m going to tell everyone about this. I’m going to tell them all that you’re a predatory freak who refuses to take no for an answer, and I’m going to tell them all about the pathetic little crush you—”
Lindsay’s head whipped back as a hand connected with her cheek in a loud crack, cutting her tirade off in the middle.
“You… you hit me,” she whimpered, taking a fearful step backward. “You actually hit me.”
Her assailant raised trembling hands in the air. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Yes you did! You slapped me!”
“I’ll never do it again. I promise. I just… oh, god…. I love you so much. It hurts me to hear you saying all those terrible things about me. Can’t you see that?”
“I don’t care. Please just do what I said before and get the fuck out of here,” Lindsay replied through gritted teeth.
“I can’t. Not until we sort this out.”
“There’s nothing to sort out.”
“But you said you’re going to tell everyone about what happened between us.”
“Yes, because I have to. You’ve lost your fucking mind, and I need to warn everyone about you!”
“No. Don’t do this, baby….”
Lindsay folded her arms and lifted her chin. “You haven’t given me a choice. And for god’s sake, I’m not your baby!”
“Please, Linz. It… it really wasn’t supposed to go like this.” Frantic hands lifted, shaking in the cold, damp air. “I know you said you hate it when people beg, but I just… I have to. I’m begging you to reconsider. Please, please, please. Just think about how good we’ve always been together. If we can just get past this initial bump and—”