Chapter 79
I'm holding my breath for @Ninosaur 's reaction to this chapter :P
Wendy and Mason
Mason stood in the doorway of the spare bedroom, arms crossed tightly over his chest, his jaw locked as he watched Lily pluck out the last of the glass shards from Wendy's palm. The soft light of the bedside lamp cast a warm glow over them, but there was nothing comforting about the scene.
Lily moved with slow, careful precision, her brows furrowed in focus as she placed the final shard on a tissue beside her. She exhaled softly, shaking her head at the tiny pile of glass, then reached for the bandages.
Mason's fists clenched at his sides. This shouldn't have happened. Wendyâfiery, stubborn, full of sharp remarks and mischiefâwas now sitting still and quiet, her hands limp in Lily's as if she had no fight left in her.
The sight unsettled him.
Wendy had always been unpredictable, always a storm of emotion. But now, she sat there, motionless and hollow, her gray eyes dull as Lily wrapped the bandage around her hand. She didn't flinch, didn't react. It was like she wasn't even there.
Mason swallowed hard, his anger simmering beneath his skin. He wanted to say something, to demand why she had let this happen, why she hadn't screamed louder, fought harder.
His chest tightened as he forced himself to take a slow breath. He needed to stay in control. For Wendy.
Lily tied off the bandage and gave Wendy's hand a gentle squeeze. "All done," she murmured, but Wendy didn't react. She simply stared at her wrapped hands, her expression vacant.
Mason's grip on the doorframe tightened, his frustration coiling tighter inside him.
"I put some clean clothes in the bathroom for you," Lily spoke softly, her voice careful, as if she were speaking to a child. "Do you want me to help you change?"
Wendy shook her head, her movements sluggish. Without a word, she pushed herself off the bed and walked to the bathroom, closing the door quietly behind her.
The room fell into silence.
Lily let out a small, exhausted sigh, rubbing her temples as she sat back on her heels. Mason remained still, his mind racing with a dozen questions, but none of them felt like the right one to ask. The weight of everything pressed down on him, thick and suffocating.
After a few long heartbeats, he finally broke the silence.
"How many times has this happened before?" His voice was low, tense.
Lily hesitated, her fingers tracing over the edge of the gauze wrapper before she finally met his gaze.
"Two or three times since I've met her," she admitted quietly.
Mason inhaled sharply, his stomach twisting. The idea that Wendy had been living with this, carrying it in silence, made him sick.
Lily's voice was softer when she spoke again. "She doesn't like violence, Mason. She never has."
Mason frowned, his brows drawing together.
Lily shifted slightly, wrapping her arms around herself. "That's why, when we were in Aspen and you got into that fight with Theo... she froze. It wasn't just because she was shocked. She was scared."
Mason felt the words hit him like a punch to the gut. His chest tightened with guilt, the memory of that morning flashing through his mind. He had been so caught up in the fightâso fueled by adrenaline and frustrationâthat he hadn't noticed Wendy's reaction. Hadn't thought about what it might've triggered in her.
Now, standing in the dimly lit room, with Wendy behind that bathroom door, it hit him like a slap in the face.
Lily stood up slowly, stretching out her tired legs before turning to face Mason. The weight of the night clung to both of them, thick and unspoken, but there was something steady in her gaze as she looked at him.
"I trust you with her, Mace" Lily said softly, yet there was an undeniable firmness beneath her words. "I trust you to be gentle. To be patient."
Mason swallowed, unsure how to respond. His hands curled into fists at his sides, not out of anger, but out of the unbearable frustration twisting inside him. He hated that Wendy had been hurt. Hated that she had been forced to live in fear, to shrink into herself, when she had always been so much more than this quiet, broken version of her sitting behind that bathroom door.
Lily stepped closer, her expression unreadable. "She's been through enough," she continued. "So, whatever you're feelingâwhatever frustration or anger is running through you right nowâyou can't take it out on her. She doesn't need that."
Mason met her gaze, something raw and unguarded in his eyes. "I would neverâ"
"I know," Lily cut him off, her voice softening just a fraction. "That's why I trust you."
"You've always been my favorite for a reason," She let out a slow breath, and gave a small smile before speaking again. "Just... don't hurt her. Not in any way. And don't you dare break her heart."
Her words carried more weight than just a warning. They were a plea, a hope.
Mason nodded, his throat tight. "I won't."
Lily studied him for a moment longer before finally seeming satisfied. She lingered for a moment, her gaze flickering between Mason and the closed bathroom door. Then, without another word, she turned and quietly slipped out of the room, the soft click of the door behind her the only sound breaking the silence.
Mason stayed where he was, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed as he exhaled slowly. The weight in his chest pressed heavier with each passing second. He glanced toward the bathroom door, waiting.
The minutes felt endless, but finally, the handle turned. The door eased open, and Wendy stepped out. She had changed into the fresh clothes Lily had left for her, her damp hair clinging to her skin. Her eyes found Mason immediately, searching, unsure.
Mason watched her hesitate. Then, slowly, she moved toward him.
Mason didn't thinkâhe just acted. As soon as she was close enough, he reached for her, wrapping his arms around her tightly, pulling her against his chest. He expected resistance, some hesitation, but Wendy melted into him without a word.
She pressed her face against his shoulder, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. Mason felt her shudder, a deep, quiet breath escaping her lips. His arms tightened instinctively, as if he could hold her together just by sheer will alone.
Neither of them spoke. There was nothing to say.
For now, this was enough.
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Lily
Lily closed the door to her room and leaned against it, exhaling shakily as the exhaustion settled deep in her bones. Her entire body achedânot from physical strain, but from the weight of everything that had happened. The image of Wendy's blank, broken expression wouldn't leave her mind, haunting her even as she tried to shake it off.
Dragging herself toward the bed, she sat down heavily on the edge, rubbing at her face with trembling hands. Her throat felt tight, and before she could stop it, tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks in hot, silent streams.
She swallowed hard and reached for her phone, her fingers unsteady as she typed out a message.
Mom, Dad,
I just wanted to say I love you both so much. Thank you for always making me feel safe. I don't say it enough, but I appreciate you more than I can put into words.
She stared at the screen for a long moment before hitting send, her breath hitching as more tears slid down her face. Hugging her phone to her chest, she let out a quiet, shuddering sigh. She had never felt so drained.
Pushing herself up, she moved toward the bathroom, forcing herself through the motions of getting ready for bed. Each step felt heavier than the last, the emotional toll pressing down on her with every movement. By the time she crawled beneath the covers, the exhaustion was suffocating.
But sleep didn't come easily. Not with Wendy's pain still echoing in her mind. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Wendy's vacant stare, heard the quiet tremble in her voice. She turned onto her side, then onto her back, but the restlessness wouldn't let up. With a frustrated sigh, she flipped her pillow over to the cooler side, but it did nothing to settle the unease coiling in her stomach.
Thenâting.
A soft notification sound cut through the silence, making her freeze. Her brows furrowed in confusion. She hadn't set any alarms, and her phone was on silent.
Pushing herself up, she sat in the dim glow of her bedside lamp, her ears straining as another ting sounded from across the room. Her gaze shifted toward her bag, still sitting unpacked in the corner since their flight.
A strange feeling curled in her gut as she slid out of bed and walked over, kneeling beside it. She reached inside, fingers brushing against something smooth and cool. When she pulled it out, her brows furrowed.
Jake's iPad.
Lily frowned. He must have left it in her bag at the airport.
The screen was still on, a photo of her and Jake displayed as the bright background. But at the bottom of the screen, a single notification stuck out like a sore thumb.
Lily's heart pounded as her eyes landed on the sender.
A slow, suffocating dread wrapped around her chest as she stared at the name, her pulse roaring in her ears.
Lily's fingers felt ice-cold as she swiped across the screen, unlocking the iPad with a quick guess at Jake's usual passcode. The message thread between him and Alexa was right there, open as if waiting for her.
Her heart pounded violently as she read the most recent message:
Alexa: See you tonight? ð
Jake: Yeah, party starts at 10. I'll meet you out back.
Alexa: Can't wait ð
Lily's throat tightened. Her eyes flicked to the timestamp. Tonight. Jake was meeting Alexa tonight. While she was here, reeling from everything with Wendy, while she thought he was probably asleep or studyingâhe was planning to meet up with Alexa at his frat house.
A sharp pang cut through her chest, but she forced herself to keep scrolling. Her hands trembled as she went further back, searching for more.
The pit in her stomach grew deeper with every message she read.
Alexa: Don't tell Lily, okay? You know how she is.
Jake: Yeah, I know. She overthinks everything.
Alexa: Exactly. I don't want her getting weird about us hanging out. She's insecure enough as it is.
Jake: I get it. It's easier this way.
Lily's vision blurred. Her hands clenched so tightly around the iPad that her knuckles turned white.
They had been meeting for weeks. Maybe longer. Behind her back. Lying to her.
She felt sick.
A shaky breath escaped her lips as the weight of it all crushed her chest.
Her fingers hovered over the screen, tempted to throw the iPad across the room, to smash it against the wallâbut instead, she set it down on the bed with a quiet, broken gasp.
Her hands flew to her face, pressing hard against her eyes as the first tears spilled over. Lily wiped at her eyes, but the tears kept coming, hot and relentless. Her breath hitched as she picked up the iPad again, her vision blurring as she reread the messages. Each word cut deeper than the last.
She's insecure enough as it is.
I get it. It's easier this way.
A bitter, broken laugh escaped her lips. Easier? Lying to her was easier? Pretending to be her friend while sneaking around behind her back was easier?
Her fingers curled around the edges of the iPad, her body trembling with a mix of betrayal and rage. She should have seen this coming. She should have known.
She inhaled sharply, forcing herself to stop crying. The pain in her chest turned into something sharper, something colder.
She wasn't going to sit here and cry over them.
Her eyes flicked to her purse.
Without thinking, she grabbed her car keys off the nightstand, her grip tightening around them like a lifeline. Her movements were quick, fueled by a reckless determination as she shoved her feet into her sneakers and pulled on the first t-shirt she could find.
The apartment was silent as she slipped out, the door clicking shut softly behind her.
She didn't care that it was late.
She didn't care that her hands were still shaking.
She didn't care that her heart felt like it was being ripped apart.
All she cared about was getting to them.
She needed to see their faces.
She needed to hear them say it.
She needed to confront them, to make them explain how they could do this to her.
And as she stepped into the cold night air and made her way to her car, there was only one thought running through her mindâ
They don't get to walk away from this unscathed.
________________________________
Mason and Wendy
Mason lay on his side, his arms wrapped securely around Wendy as if shielding her from the world. The room was dim, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting warm shadows across her delicate features. She was curled against him, her breathing steady but fragile, like she could break at any moment.
He held her hands between his own, brushing his lips over her knuckles with featherlight kisses. His touch was reverent, careful, as if each press of his lips could erase the pain she had endured. His thumb traced slow, soothing circles over the bandages wrapped around her palms.
"You're safe," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've got you."
Wendy didn't say anything, but she nestled closer, pressing her forehead against his chest. The way she melted into him, without hesitation, sent a deep ache through Mason's chest.
He smoothed his hand over her back, his fingers grazing up and down her spine in a slow, comforting motion. He wasn't sure if she was asleep, but it didn't matter. He would stay like this as long as she needed, holding her, keeping her safe in the quiet of the night.
Mason leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to the top of her head, inhaling the soft scent of her hair. And for the first time that night, Wendy exhaled, her body fully relaxing against his.
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Lily
Lily gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she pulled up to Jake's frat house, the bass of the music thudding from inside, loud enough to rattle her bones. The house was packed, students spilling out onto the front lawn, laughing, drinking, celebrating the end of the semester, and completely oblivious to the storm brewing inside her.
She shoved the car door open and marched up the steps, her stomach twisting with disbelief. This wasn't happening. It couldn't be. She pushed through the front door, her breath shallow as she scanned the crowd. Her eyes darted from face to face, searching for Jake or Alexa.
Nothing.
The living room was a mess of flashing lights, sweaty bodies, and the overpowering scent of alcohol. People danced, shouted over each other, completely lost in the chaos of the party. Lily moved deeper inside, her pulse quickening. She checked the kitchen, the backyardâeverywhere she could think of. But they weren't there.
A sick feeling curled in her stomach as she realized where they probably were.
She turned and headed for the stairs, ignoring the way people brushed past her, laughing like nothing was wrong. Every step she took felt heavier, as if her own body was trying to stop her from getting to the truth.
Lily reached the top of the stairs, her breathing uneven. She knew exactly where Jake's room was.
Her fingers curled into fists as she walked down the dimly lit hallway. The closer she got, the harder it became to breathe.
And then, finally, she reached his door.
Without hesitating, Lily grabbed the doorknob and twisted. It didn't budge.
Locked.
Her heart pounded so hard she could hear it in her ears, drowning out the music blasting from downstairs. She stared at the door, her breath shaky, her hands clammy.
No. No, this wasn't real.
Before she could fully process the weight crushing her chest, a voice came from behind her.
"Lily."
She turned sharply, her eyes meeting one of Jake's frat brothers. He looked uncomfortable, shifting on his feet as he glanced between her and the locked door.
"You should go home," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. His tone was gentle, but the pity in his eyes made her stomach churn. "You don't wanna do this."
Lily swallowed, her throat tight. "Open the door."
He shook his head. "Lily, don't."
"Please." Her voice wavered, her eyes burning as tears welled up. She didn't care about pride, didn't care about the people still milling around in the hallway, sneaking glances in her direction. She just needed to know.
The guy hesitated, his jaw clenching. He looked at herâreally looked at herâthe pain in her eyes, the quiet desperation, and he exhaled heavily.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath before pulling out a key and handing it to her.
Lily's fingers trembled as she took the key. For a moment, she just stared at it, her breath uneven, her heart hammering so hard she thought it might break through her ribs.
She didn't want to do this. She really didn't want to do this.
But she had to.
Slowly, she fit the key into the lock, turning it with a soft click. The door creaked open an inch, then another, revealing the dimly lit room beyond.
And there they were.
Jake and Alexa.
In bed.
Lily felt the air leave her lungs in a sharp, painful exhale.
Jake's shirt was unbuttoned, hanging loosely around his shoulders, while Alexa's dress was bunched up around her thighs. Their limbs were tangled together, skin against skin, a mess of betrayal that made Lily's stomach twist violently.
For a second, nobody moved.
As if realizing what had just happened, Jake and Alexa scrambled apart. Jake lurched forward, snatching his shirt off the bed, while Alexa yanked down the hem of her dress, her face draining of color.
"Lilyâ" Jake started, his voice urgent, but he didn't even have an excuse.
Alexa's lips parted in shock, her hands trembling. "It's not what it looks likeâ"
Lily let out a hollow laugh, though it sounded more like a broken breath.
Not what it looks like.
That was all they had to say?
She stood in the doorway, frozen, staring at the two people she had trusted more than anyone. The two people who had just shattered everything.
"Lily," Jake reached for her hand, his breathing uneven. "Listenâ"
"How...how could you?" Her voice cracked, the betrayal making her dizzy.
Jake ran a frustrated hand through his hair, his shirt still hanging open as he fumbled for words. "Lily, you're overreacting. Thisâthis isn't what you think."
Her breath hitched, rage and heartbreak clawing at her throat. "Overreacting?" Her voice was sharp, shaking. "I saw you! You were in bed with her!"
Jake stepped forward, palms up, feigning calm. "Okay, but you don't understandâAlexa was justâ"
"Just what?" Lily snapped, eyes burning. "Just accidentally in your bed with her dress pushed up?"
Alexa looked away, guilt flickering across her face, but Jake clenched his jaw, his patience wearing thin. "Lily, you're being dramaticâ"
Dramatic.
Something inside her snapped.
Without thinking, Lily's hand flew up, and the sharp crack of her palm against Jake's cheek cut through the room like a gunshot.
His head jerked to the side, a red imprint blooming across his skin. Silence hung thick in the air.
Then, slowly, he turned back to her, his expression darkening.
"Did you justâ" His voice was low, dangerous.
Lily refused to back down, even as her heart pounded. "Yeah," she spat, her hands trembling. "And you deserve it, you stupid son of a bitch.
Jake's lips curled into something venomous. Before she could turn away, his hand shot out, fingers clamping around her upper arm in a bruising grip. He yanked her forward, forcing her to stumble toward him, her breath catching as she collided with his chest.
"Who the fuck do you think you are?" His voice was a low snarl, his breath hot against her face.
Lily wrenched at his grip, but his hold only tightened. "Let go of me, Jake," she bit out, her voice laced with fury.
Jake scoffed, his nails digging into her skin. "You think you can slap me and just walk away?"
"I said let go!" Lily's pulse hammered. She grabbed his wrist and twisted sharply, yanking herself free. Jake let out a sharp hiss, recoiling as she stumbled back, cradling the sore spot where his fingers had been.
Her chest rose and fell with ragged breaths as she looked between him and Alexaâher best friend. The girl she'd trusted with everything. The girl who was still sitting on the bed, silent and pale.
Lily's throat tightened. "Why?" she asked, her voice trembling with anger, raw and aching. She turned back to Jake, her vision blurring with unshed angry tears. "Why would you do this to me?"
Jake exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Lily, I didn't want to," he muttered, as if that made any difference. "But I was tired of catering to you all the time. I was exhausted of pretending to be into it. Your fancy restaurants, your stupid family lunches, your brothers always breathing down my neckâ" His expression darkened, his voice thick with resentment. "Do this, don't do that, Jake, or her brothers will kill you. It was suffocating."
Lily blinked, momentarily stunned by the sheer audacity of his words. "Catering to me?" she echoed, hollow.
Jake scoffed. "Yeah. You don't even see it, do you? Everything is always about you. What you like. What your family expects. I'm sick of playing along." He let out a humorless chuckle. "Sick of you."
Lily felt like the air had been knocked from her lungs. A sharp ache bloomed in her chest, raw and unforgiving.
"Then why didn't you just break up with me?" she demanded.
Jake let out a sharp, bitter laugh, shaking his head. "You think I didn't try?" he snapped. "You think I wanted to keep this going?"
Her stomach twisted. "Then why didn't you?" she shot back, her voice trembling with rage and devastation.
Jake exhaled harshly, his hands clenching at his sides. "Because it was never that simple with you," he bit out. "Every time I tried, there was another 'Lily Emergency'. Lily had a seizure, Lily got lost in the woods, Lily was followed. Something is always happening to you. You poor, poor princess." His voice dripped with mockery, his eyes burning with cruelty. "You think it's easy breaking up with you when your entire life is a fucking production?"
Lily sucked in a shaky breath, his words slicing through her like blades.
"So, you cheated on me instead?" she whispered.
Jake's jaw tightened. "Alexa understood," he said simply, like that justified it. "She didn't expect me to put on a show. She didn't smother me."
Lily let out a hollow, bitter laugh. "That's what this is about?" she said, her voice breaking. "You wanted something easy? You just wanted to sneak around behind my back with my best friend?"
Jake's mouth pressed into a tight line, as if trying to hold back. Then, finally, he muttered, "I just wish you could be more like her."
Lily froze.
The words hit harder than she could have ever anticipated, knocking the air from her lungs.
She let out a shaky breath, blinking rapidly, her vision blurring with tears. "More like her?" she repeated, barely above a whisper.
Jake didn't even hesitate. "Yeah," he said, his tone as careless as ever. He exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair as if she was the frustrating one. "I mean, look at you. You dress like you're about to give a damn presidential speech everywhere you go," he scoffed. "You're always so proper. It's exhausting."
Lily's breath caught in her throat, but Jake wasn't done.
"You never just let loose," he continued, his voice thick with irritation. "You're uptight about everything. It's like dating a damn porcelain doll." His lips curled. "It was boring."
Lily flinched.
The word sliced through her, cutting deep, leaving her breathless.
Jake let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. "Alexa gets it. She knows how to have fun. She doesn't act like every little thing is some huge deal. She doesn't have a thousand rules, or a family breathing down my neck every second." He met Lily's eyes, his gaze flat, emotionless. "I just wish you could be more like her."
The words echoed in her head, louder than the pounding music from downstairs, louder than her own racing heartbeat.
Lily felt something inside her fracture.
Alexa hesitated for a moment, her fingers trembling as she sat at the edge of the bed, her body stiff with uncertainty. She glanced at Jake, then at Lily, and for the briefest second, there was a flicker of guilt in her eyesâbarely enough to catch Lily's attention. But it was gone just as quickly, replaced by something else that made Lily's stomach turn.
Without saying a word, Alexa slowly stood up, her movements deliberate, as if she were carefully calculating her next step. She didn't look at Lily, her gaze fixed firmly on Jake as she walked toward him.
Lily's heart thudded painfully in her chest as she watched Alexa move. Her body was still, frozen with disbelief. She could feel the heat of Alexa's eyes on her, but there was no comfort, no apology. The brief flicker of guilt she had seen in Alexa's face was a cruel illusion.
"I didn't mean for it to happen like this," Alexa said, her voice small, almost apologeticâbut it was hollow, empty in the way she said it. She didn't meet Lily's eyes, and the words felt like a fragile thread hanging in the air, never reaching their intended target.
Before Lily could respond, Jake's voice cut through the silence like a blade. "You've been here every fucking night. Why should we hide it from her anymore? She knows everything."
Alexa didn't protest. Her gaze flickered to Lily for a moment, but she quickly averted it, turning her attention back to Jake. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but no words came out.
Jake took her silence as permission, a twisted green light to push further. He turned toward Lily, his mocking grin widening as he closed the distance between them.
"You know, Lily," he said, his tone dripping with venom, "you really thought you were saving something special, didn't you? Like you're some prize to be won with that damn virginity of yours. Like it's a goddamn gift. Well, here's the truth, sweetheartâno one cares about your little purity act."
Lily's breath caught, a wave of nausea rolling through her as his words sunk in, each one sharper than the last. The ache in her chest deepened, her throat tightening with the sting of betrayal.
Jake scoffed. "You were too busy holding onto your 'innocence' like it was going to make a difference. But guess what? You're not special. No one wants to wait around for that."
Lily's hands trembled, nails digging into her palms as she fought to keep her composure, but every word from Jake felt like a wound in her chest. The silence that followed was suffocating. She wanted to shout, to ask Alexa why she dong this, but her voice failed her. She could feel her heart breaking with each passing second.
And then Alexa moved again, but not toward Lily. She walked to Jake, her steps slow but deliberate, as if she was finding her place beside him. The way she looked at him, a spark of something that looked almost like pride in her eyes, shattered whatever hope Lily had left.
Alexa didn't defend her. She didn't stop Jake. She just stood there next to him, her body language relaxed, like she was finally where she belonged, like this betrayal was exactly what she wanted.
Lily stood frozen, feeling the weight of the silence crash down on her. It was louder than any of Jake's insults. The realization of Alexa's betrayal hit her like a ton of bricks, and all she could do was stand there, unable to move, her heart torn in a thousand pieces.
After a few long seconds of heavy silence, Jake reached for Alexa's hand, his fingers curling around hers as if the entire scene was just another ordinary moment for him. His grip was firm, possessive, and there was a smugness in his smile as he glanced down at her. He didn't even spare a second to look at Lily, not even a flicker of acknowledgment for the girl he'd just humiliated.
With a slow, deliberate motion, he turned his back on Lily, tugging Alexa along with him. Alexa, her hand still in his, moved with himâher body language stiff, but not unwilling. Her eyes lingered on Lily for a fleeting moment, but when they met, there was no apology, no trace of regret. There was just a cold detachment, as if Lily was nothing more than a distant memory she had no interest in holding onto.
Jake led Alexa to the door, his steps steady, his presence overwhelming. He didn't pause, didn't look back as he reached the threshold.
"Let's go," he said, his voice laced with finality, and with that, he pulled Alexa with him, dragging her out of the room.
The door clicked shut behind them with an eerie finality, leaving Lily standing in the oppressive silence, all alone. The weight of their absence settled around her, crushing her chest with the realization that, in that moment, she had been completely abandoned.
Her gaze stayed fixed on the empty doorway, her heart aching with the emptiness they left behind. She felt as if the air had been sucked out of the room, leaving only the sharp sting of betrayal to fill the void.
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Mason and Wendy
Mason woke to the soft, broken sounds of whimpering in the darkness. His chest tightened as he turned onto his side, eyes adjusting to the dim glow of the streetlight filtering through the blinds. Wendy lay beside him, her face twisted in distress, her fingers clutching at the sheets.
His heart clenched as her whimpers escalated into a muffled, breathless sob. Then, suddenly, she screamed. The sound ripped through the quiet night, raw and desperate, like a wound reopening. Without thinking, Mason reached for her, pulling her trembling body into his arms.
"Wendy," he whispered, his voice thick with concern as he smoothed a hand down her back. "I'm here. You're okay."
She gasped, her body shuddering against him. Tears slid silently down her cheeks, dampening his shirt. Mason held her closer, pressing his lips to the top of her head, wishing he could pull her from whatever nightmare had its claws in her.
After several long minutes, slowly, her breathing evened out. The tension in her body melted away, her hands loosening their grip on his shirt. She nuzzled into his warmth, eyes fluttering shut once more, a final tear slipping down her cheek before sleep reclaimed her.
Mason didn't let go. He stayed awake, listening to her steady breaths, his own heart aching at the thought of the pain she carriedâeven in her dreams.
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Lily
Lily sat in her car, her hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. The engine idled, but her mind was far from still.
Jake's cruel words replayed over and over in her head, each one cutting deeper than the last.
"Boring."
He'd said it like it was a permanent label, something that was etched into her, as if she was nothing more than background noise to his life. His voice, dripping with disdain, echoed in her ears. "No one cares about your little purity act." It made her sick, the way he thought he could reduce her to something so trivial, so beneath him.
And then there was Alexa.
Lily's chest tightened as she thought of the way Alexa had just stood there, silent, as Jake tore her apart. For a split second, Alexa had hesitated, but then... she had walked to Jake's side like it was the most natural thing in the world. As if being with him was something to be proud of. As if picking Jake over her, the girl who'd always been there, was a victory. The betrayal hit her like a cold slap to the face. Alexa hadn't even defended her. No, Alexa had let him humiliate her, and in that moment, it was clear: she was happy to be Jake's choice.
The thought made Lily's stomach twist, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. The anger boiled inside her, a scorching wave that threatened to consume her. She clenched her fists, digging her nails into her palms, trying to push the tears back, trying to hold on to something before it all broke.
She wasn't going to let this happen. She wasn't going to let Jake and Alexa define her, not today. Not like this.
Lily was about to shift the gear of her car into drive when she watched the door to the frat house open from the corner of her eyes. Her breath hitched as she took in the sight before her.
There, on the porch of the house, stood Alexa and Jake. Alexa's arm was wrapped around Jake's waist, her smile wide and carefree, her eyes bright with pride. Jake leaned against the railing, his hand on her shoulder, their bodies pressed together in that intimate way only lovers shared.
Lily felt a sick twist in her gut, the image of them standing there, so comfortable, so perfectly in sync, like a slap to her face. They were happy. And she was left in the wake of their betrayal, an outsider to a world she thought she was part of.
Her chest tightened with a surge of fury. This was too much. The anger welled up, filling her chest, but beneath it all, a raw, crushing ache settled deep within her. She wasn't just angry. She was broken. But she wasn't going to let them see it.
Lily's gaze burned with the need to move, to do something to shake the weight of this. Her fists clenched tighter as she turned the key in the ignition, the engine roaring to life. She didn't care about the weight in her chest or the sting of betrayal. She wasn't going to let them win.
As she sped out of the driveway, her eyes locked on the rearview mirror one last time. She saw Jake and Alexa standing there, arms wrapped around each other, and it felt like everything in her world was crashing down. But she wasn't going to let them get away with breaking her heart so easily.
Lily's breath came in ragged gasps as she drove. The road blurred in front of her, and the tears blurred her vision, streaming down her face uncontrollably. She couldn't stop them. They flowed freely, the weight of everything crashing down on her, the betrayal, the hurt, the crushing loneliness. Her chest felt like it was being squeezed, the tightness unbearable, suffocating her from the inside. The anger mixed with the heartbreak, creating a storm of emotions she couldn't control.
The image of Jake and Alexa kept flashing in her mindâthe way they stood there, arms wrapped around each other, so comfortable, so happy. And she... she was nothing to them now. She was just the girl who didn't fit, who wasn't chosen. The harsh reality of it hit her with full force. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't stop the tears.
"I'm not going to let you win," Lily said through her teeth. "I'm not going to let you win."
She gripped the wheel harder, trying to steady herself, but it was no use. Her emotions spiraled further out of control, and before she knew it, she had sped out of the driveway, the engine roaring as if to match the chaos inside her. The speed seemed to blur everything else, the houses, the trees, the nightânothing seemed real. Only the overwhelming pain, only the betrayal.
They didn't get to hurt her and walk away unscathed.
A sharp, reckless idea began to form in the chaos of Lily's thoughts, something dark and vengeful curling in the pit of her stomach. If they thought she'd break, they were wrong. If they thought they could ruin her, they had no idea who they were dealing with.
Lily pressed her foot harder against the gas pedal, the car jerking forward as the speedometer climbed. The rush of speed did nothing to quiet the storm inside herâit only fed it. The faster she went, the less she could think. The less she had to feel.
Within minutes, Lily pulled into Gabriel's driveway, her hands trembling on the steering wheel, her chest tight with emotion. She wanted to fall apart, to let everything spill out, but she couldn't. Not here. Not like this.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to steady her shaking hands. The car came to a halt, and she closed her eyes for a second, gathering her thoughts. She could feel the tears threatening to spill again, but she quickly wiped them away, taking another breath, telling herself to pull it together.
With a deep inhale, she opened the car door and stepped out, the cool night air biting at her skin. Her body felt heavy with emotion, but she pushed forward, forcing herself to walk with purpose, her posture straight as she walked toward the house. The anger that had flared up earlier simmered beneath the surface, but she kept it in check, letting it's heat warm her freezing heart.
When she reached the porch, she saw Gabriel standing by the garage, his expression unreadable but tinged with confusion. His hands were frozen mid-motion, as if he'd been about to close the door, his gaze locked on her. For a moment, neither of them moved, and Lily felt her heart race as he took in the sight of herâflushed cheeks, eyes wide with barely controlled emotion, and every step carefully calculated to hide the chaos swirling inside.
Gabriel opened his mouth, eyes narrowing slightly as he wondered aloud, "What are you doing out so late?"
Lily's pulse quickened at the sound of his voice, but she refused to let it show. She held his gaze, giving him a small smile, the kind that didn't reach her eyes but was practiced enough to pass for normal. It was a mask, and for the moment, it worked. She needed to act like she had everything under controlâeven though her hands were still trembling from the wreckage of everything that had just happened.
"You win," she said, her voice calm, evenâmore steady than she had expected.
Gabriel blinked, taken aback by her words. "What?"
Lily's eyes didn't leave his as she spoke again, the words falling from her lips with surprising clarity. "I broke up with Jake."
His brows furrowed in disbelief. "Why...?"
She took a step closer to him, the distance between them narrowing. "Because you win," she said again, her voice quiet but resolute. "You said I'd come running into your arms by the end of the semester..."
Gabriel's expression shifted for a split second, shock flashing in his eyes. His lips parted, but no words came out.
Lily drew in a slow, steady breath, her eyes still locked on his. "So, Gabriel Reyes," she continued, her voice lowering with intensity, "this is me running into your arms... Catch me."
Her challenge hung in the air, the weight of it heavy and final, as she took a bold step forward, daring him to act.
Gabriel didn't hesitate. His expression shifted from confusion to something darker, more intense, as he stepped forward with a single, determined motion. His hands found her waist and he pulled her into him without a word. In the same breath, his lips crashed onto hers.
Lily was momentarily stunned, her body frozen for a second by the raw intensity of the kiss. She had never been kissed like thisâso urgent, so deep. His lips moved against hers with a kind of need that left her breathless, and in that instant, something inside her unlocked. Her stomach tightened, a rush of warmth flooding her body as the same fluttering sensation from the dream she'd had about Gabriel suddenly came alive inside her.
Her arms moved of their own accord, wrapping around his neck as she melted into the kiss. The feeling of his hands pulling her even closer, pressing her against him, sent a wave of heat through her that made her head spin.
The kiss wasn't gentle. It was raw and desperate. She let herself fall into it, surrendering to the intensity of the moment, and for a fleeting second, the world around them seemed to disappear.
Every breath felt too shallow, too fast as her heart raced, but she didn't care. She wanted this. Wanted him. With every pulse of adrenaline, she felt herself being drawn in deeper, her body responding to his in a way she couldn't explain. She pulled him closer, her fingers threading through his hair, her lips moving with his in perfect sync, as though this was the one place she had always belonged.
Gabriel broke the kiss for a split second, his eyes dark with desire, and without warning, he scooped Lily up into his arms. The sudden lift left her breathless, but she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, her body molded against his in a way that felt both foreign and familiar. The world around her blurred, and all she could focus on was the heat of his body beneath her, the way his muscles flexed as he carried her effortlessly.
With a quick turn, he pressed her back against the wall, his lips finding hers again with an urgency that left her heart pounding in her chest. The sharp edge of the wall behind her grounded her, but everything else felt like it was spinningâevery kiss deeper, every movement more frantic. Her lips tingled, a swelling sensation making her feel more alive than she'd ever felt before, but she couldn't find it in herself to stop. The slight ache of her lips only seemed to fuel her desire, and with every touch, every kiss, she only craved more.
Her fingers tangled in his hair, tugging him closer as she kissed him with the same intensity, her body pressed against his, her chest heaving with every breath. It was as if the entire world had narrowed down to just them, to this moment where nothing else mattered. She could feel the heat of him, the firm press of his body against hers, and the way his hands gripped her like she was the only thing keeping him tethered to reality.
There was no hesitation, no thought. Just the frantic need for each other, and Lily couldn't bring herself to stopâdidn't want to stop.
"Upstairs?" Lily asked in between the kisses. "Your room?"
"Mhm," Gabriel nodded.
His hands fumbled with the knob for a split second before he pushed it open with his feet. He carried her inside, never breaking the kiss, as if this was the only thing that mattered. The world outside faded into the background, replaced only by the feel of her body in his arms and the frantic rhythm of their kiss. Gabriel's heart thudded erratically, faster than it ever had before, outpacing even the sound of his car's engine, the only thing louder than their breathless desperation.
They stumbled toward the stairs, and as they reached the top, Lily felt the hard press of the door against her back. Gabriel moved them both toward the bed, and with one final push, they fell onto the soft mattress, tangled in each other's heat and longing. His hands were everywhere, exploring her with an intensity that left Lily breathless and wanting more.
Lily's pulse raced, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She tugged at his shirt, desperate to feel more of him, her fingers grazing over the fabric as she pulled it up, her body moving against his instinctively.
"My shirt," she murmured, her hands guiding his down to the hem of her shirt, silently urging him to strip it off.
But Gabriel froze, his lips pulling away from hers just long enough to catch his breath. He looked at her with a mixture of desire and restraint, his voice low, just above a whisper.
"What are you doing?" he asked, his words soft but firm. His hands stilled, his fingers lingering on her skin, but he wasn't rushing.
"I don't think I have to explain this to you, Gabriel," Lily said, looking up at him as her chest rose and fell rapidly. "I'm telling you to take my clothes off. That much I know....the rest.....you will have to take the lead."
"I don't think I have to explain this to you, Gabriel," Lily said, her voice breathless but clear. "I'm telling you to take my clothes off. That much I know... the rest... you will have to take the lead."
Gabriel hesitated, his eyes searching hers for something, like he was trying to understand her, trying to make sense of her words.
Lily reached for him again, her fingers trailing down his chest, urging him to move forward. It was clear to her nowâshe wanted this, wanted him, and she didn't want to stop.
But Gabriel, despite the heat between them, leaned back slightly, his expression shifting from intense desire to something unreadable. His lips parted, and he let out a breath, his gaze lingering on her, measuring, weighing.
"I'm not going to sleep with you," he said, his voice steady, yet with an underlying tension that sent a jolt through Lily's chest.
The words hit her like a slap. Her mind raced to catch up, and she blinked, trying to process what he'd just said.
She didn't understand. He'd been pushing for this, for months, all that time spent teasing, lingering glances, heated momentsâand now that she was here, now that she was the one coming to him, he was holding back.
Lily's pulse quickened, irritation flaring. She pressed herself up against him again, her chest rising and falling with frustration.
"Why?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "That's all you've been wanting these past few months, and now that I want to, why won't you?"
Her eyes searched his, looking for answers, for an explanation.
"What's the rush?" The corner of Gabriel's mouth curved up.
Lily's chest tightened with frustration, her hands balling into fists at her sides.
Through the haze of frustration, her eyes wandered over him. His sharp features, the defined lines of his jaw, and the way his dark hair fell just enough to make his face even more intense. Gabriel's eyesâdark and unreadableâheld hers with a quiet force, as if daring her to question him. And she did, every inch of her feeling the pull between them despite her annoyance.
Her heart betrayed her, skipping a beat, and she cursed herself for it. She was frustrated, damn it, but she couldn't help the way her stomach tightened when she looked at him. The way his expression shifted, the way his eyes softened just a fraction. She couldn't deny that, even in this moment of tension, there was something magnetic about him. Something she couldn't pull herself away from.
His eyes never left hers, and in that moment, Lily swore she could see a flicker of amusement behind themâsomething that made her both angry and... intrigued.
Lily's jaw tightened, the words hitting her like a challenge. The way he said it, the way he looked at herâit made her feel like she was being tested, like the answer was right there, hiding in plain sight. And it pissed her off even more.
Lily's frustration was burning through her, and with it came an impulseâone she didn't entirely understand, but that was so powerful she couldn't ignore it.
She had to try. She had to see if she could change his mind.
Maybe she wasn't as experienced as the other girls he'd been with, girls who probably knew how to play this game a lot better than she did, but that didn't matter right now. She wasn't going to back down. Not when everything in her told her to push forward.
Lily slowly pushed to her elbows, her fingers trembling as she reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair from Gabriel's face. Her breath hitched as her gaze dropped to his lipsâsoft, full, a perfect invitation. And then her eyes met his again, determination flickering behind them. She could do this. She could push him, make him want her.
"You...?" she started, her voice barely a whisper, but firm. "Don't want to sleep with me...?" She let her gaze linger on his lips, giving him a moment to feel the weight of her question before pulling her eyes back up to meet his, the challenge clear in her expression.
Gabriel's posture stiffened, his hands briefly curling into fists in the sheets as if to keep control of himself. His jaw tightened, and his breathing seemed to hitch for the slightest of moments, but it was enough for Lily to notice.
He didn't answer immediately, instead looking at her with something that resembled shock. She could see it thenâthe slight shift in his eyes, the way his body had gone rigid. He wasn't unaffected, as much as he tried to maintain his composure. It unsettled him. She had unsettled him.
And that realization hit Lily like a wave. She hadn't expected him to be so... unsure. She hadn't expected to see him falter, and for a moment, the power shifted in her favor. She wasn't sure if she could change his mind, but this? This was a crack in the armor, a sign that she had the ability to make him question his resolve.
And it pleased her very much.
"I didn't say that," Gabriel reached up and wrapped his fingers around her waist. He slowly lowered it between them.
"Then what did you say?" Lily asked, scooting closer to his body beneath him.
Gabriel looked down at her, his mouth twitching with amusement.
"I said I don't want to rush it," Gabriel placed his hand on Lily's waist, holding her down to the mattress.
"Who cares?" she whispered, pushing her fingers through his hair, trying to pull him closer, her lips barely brushing his. "I've waited long enough."
"No," Gabriel's voice was barely a whisper, his breath catching for just a moment before he shook his head, his hands gently holding her in place. "Angel, no... not like this."
Lily froze, a small frown tugging at her lips. Her body stilled beneath him, and she pulled her hand away from his hair. Her eyes narrowed, a deep scowl darkening her features as she felt a familiar rush of anger rise inside her.
"Do you do this with the other girls you meet at the parties?" she demanded, her voice sharp and pointed. "How long did you make Hanna wait before you slept with her?"
Gabriel's brow furrowed in confusion, and he blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Who's Hanna?" he asked, his tone both confused and surprised.
Lily groaned in frustration, her face flushed with irritation as she pushed him away, shoving him back a little.
"You're unbelievable!" she snapped, throwing her hands up in exasperation as she rose from the bed.
Gabriel rolled onto his back, his expression caught between amusement and something softer, like he was trying to understand where this was coming from. But Lily didn't care. She was done with playing games. Done with waiting. She had to make him seeâmake him understand.
She wasn't boring. She wasn't uptight.
Gabriel watched as Lily rose from the bed, her body stiff with frustration. He could see the fire in her eyes, the way her chest was rising and falling as her breath quickened, but he knew something had shifted. There was a tension in the air now that wasn't there before.
Without thinking, he reached out, his hands gripping her waist, and before she could protest, he pulled her down onto his lap. She landed with a soft thud, her body positioned perfectly against his as his arms wrapped around her, holding her there.
Lily immediately stiffened, her face flushed with irritation as she tried to move, but his grip tightened just enough to keep her close.
"Stop," Gabriel murmured, his voice soft but firm. He held her still, but not in a way that felt controlling. "You're not getting it, are you?"
Lily opened her mouth to retort, but Gabriel interrupted her.
"I want to do this right," he said. "Not like some impulsive, rushed decision. I want to take you outâon a proper date."
Lily paused as his words hit her. It wasn't what she had expected. She was ready for more, she was ready to let go, to see how far they could go. But the softness in his voice, the sincerity behind his eyes, made her stop. She could feel the tension in her body ease, though a part of her was still fighting the urge to push him further.
"You want to take me out on a date?" she repeated, her voice laced with disbelief. "You mean... like, dinner? And the movies? And then ice cream?" Her eyes searched his face, looking for some hint of mockery, but there was none.
Gabriel nodded, his lips curling into a small, gentle smile. "Yes, all that. I want to take you out, spend time with you. And when the time's right, we'll see where it goes. But for now... I just want to enjoy being with you. The way it's meant to be."
Lily stayed silent, her thoughts swirling, unsure of what to make of it.
"Are you free tomorrow night?" Gabriel asked.
Lily slowly nodded.
Gabriel smiled, "It's a date then."
Lily's eyes narrowed, "Do you do this with the other girls too?"
"No," Gabriel chuckled. "I don't. Not like this." He paused, his thumb gently brushing over the side of her arm, as if to reassure her. "I'm not playing games with you, Lily. Not anymore."
Lily studied him for a moment, the weight of his words sinking in, but the skepticism still lingered in her chest.
"Why are you doing this?" Lily groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Why can't I just be one of the girls on your list?"
Gabriel's expression softened, and for a moment, he was quiet, his gaze intent on her, as if he was trying to read every inch of her. His hand, which had been resting lightly on her arm, moved to her back, his touch gentle but firm, like he was trying to anchor her to the moment.
"Because you're not like them," he said simply, his voice steady. He leaned forward just enough to catch her gaze, his dark eyes searching hers. "And I don't want to make you feel like you're just another girl. You deserve more than that."
Lily blinked. She didn't know if she should feel relieved or frustrated, if she should believe him or walk away.
"Why me, Gabriel?" Lily asked. "Why are you hell bent on switching up your style with me? Just give me the Gabriel Reyes special!"
Gabriel took a slow breath, his hand brushing her cheek, as if trying to calm the storm inside her.
"Because you're the one I can't stop thinking about," He said. "You're the one who makes me want to do things differently, and that scares the hell out of me. But I'm not going to let it stop me. Not this time."
Lily swallowed hard, feeling a wave of conflicting emotions. She met his gaze, her eyes softening just a fraction, the anger and confusion from earlier fading for a second before returning once again.
Lily rolled off of Gabriel's lap and curled up into a ball on his bed, she buried her face in the sheets and groaned.
"Just my luck!" She spoke, her voice muffled by the sheets.
Gabriel watched her with a mix of concern and amusement as she buried her face in the sheets, her frustration palpable. He shifted on the bed, moving closer, but hesitated before speaking, unsure of how to approach her sudden withdrawal.
Lily, still half-buried in the fabric, groaned again, her voice muffled but tinged with exasperation.
"I don't want special treatment, Gabriel," she said, her voice muffled by the sheets but still sharp enough to cut through the silence. "I don't need it. Just treat me like you treat anyone else."
Gabriel leaned forward, trying to catch her gaze, but she kept her face hidden in the sheets. He could feel the tension radiating off her, the way she refused to let herself relax completely in his presence, as though there were a wall she refused to let down.
"Angel," he laid his head beside her. "Look at me."
Lily lifted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing at him, the edge in her voice unwavering. "Why can't you just... just be yourself? Just do what you normally do? Don't make this about me being some exception."
Gabriel was quiet for a moment, processing her words, his eyes scanning her face as he tried to figure out how to bridge the gap between what he wanted to say and what she needed to hear. He reached out, his hand hovering near her, almost as though waiting for her to accept his touch, but she pulled away slightly, the distance still very much present between them.
"I'm not trying to make it about you being an exception," he said, voice steady but laden with frustration. "I just... I want this to be different. With you."
Lily sat up now, her back stiff, her arms crossed tightly in front of her. "I don't need your 'different,' Gabriel. I just need you to stop overthinking everything. Stop trying to make this something it's not. I'm not some princess, okay? I don't need to be treated like one. Just be real with me."
Gabriel's gaze softened. He wasn't sure what it would take to break through her defenses, but he couldn't help but admire her strength, even in her frustration.
"I'm not trying to put you on a pedestal, Lily," he said, his voice quieter now. "I just... I don't want to mess this up. Not with you."
Lily's eyes softened just slightly, the defensiveness in her posture beginning to fade, if only a little. She sighed heavily, dropping her arms to her sides, as though giving up on holding on to her anger. She glanced at him, her gaze still wary but less tense.
"I just want things to be simple," she murmured. "I don't need all this extra stuff. Just... just be honest. That's enough."
Gabriel nodded slowly, his lips curling into a faint but sincere smile. He moved closer again, this time without hesitation, and gently pulled her toward him, his arms circling her in a soft embrace. He could feel her tense for a moment before she relaxed into his touch, her breath steadying against him.
"I'll try," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple. "I'll try to make it simple, if that's what you need."
Lily lay against Gabriel, her head resting lightly on his chest as he held her close, his hand gently stroking her hair. The warmth of his embrace felt like a comforting weight, but there was an undeniable tension in the air, a question hanging between them. After several long minutes, Gabriel's voice broke the silence, soft and steady as he spoke.
"So, how did it happen with Jake?" he asked, his fingers tracing small, almost absent-minded circles on her arm. "Why did you break up with him?"
Lily tensed slightly at the question, but quickly forced her muscles to relax. She didn't want to talk about Jake, but she could feel Gabriel's gaze on her, waiting for an answer. His curiosity, that mix of care and concern, made her heart race, but she didn't want to let him know the real reason her relationship had ended.
She exhaled slowly, lifting her head from his chest to look him in the eyes. There was a flicker of hesitation before she spoke, but she kept her voice steady, even though her insides twisted.
"I broke up with him because I couldn't stop thinking about you," she said, the words feeling foreign on her tongue. "I realized I couldn't keep pretending that nothing was between us. I couldn't ignore it anymore. It was like, the more I tried to push it away, the more it pulled me in."
Gabriel's expression shifted, his brow furrowing just slightly as he processed her words. His eyes softened, though there was a flicker of somethingâan unreadable emotionâdancing behind them.
"You couldn't run from it," he murmured, almost to himself, before his gaze locked on hers. "And what did you think about it? About... us?"
Lily swallowed hard, the weight of her lie sitting heavily in her chest.
"I thought... I thought there was something there," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just couldn't pretend like I wasn't drawn to you. Like there wasn't... something."
Gabriel studied her closely, his eyes searching her face. Lily kept her expression neutral, hoping her lie would be enough to satisfy him, hoping he wouldn't see the cracks in her carefully constructed story.
Gabriel seemed to believe her, though, his grip on her tightening slightly as he brushed a lock of hair from her face.
"You should've told me sooner," he said quietly, almost regretfully. "You deserve to be with someone who makes you feel like that. Like you're not running from it."
Lily smiled softly, but inside, her heart ached. She wasn't sure if she believed her own words, but at that moment, she just wanted to make Gabriel believe her.
"I'm here now," she murmured, her voice thick with the weight of everything unspoken. "And I'm not running anymore."
Gabriel nodded, his hand gently resting on the back of her head as he pulled her back against him.
"Stay with me tonight," he whispered into her hair.
Lily nodded, pulling herself closer and pushing out all the words from the mind that Jake had hurled at her.
Borning. Uptight. Princess.
Oh Lily..... :/