He’s quiet for a moment. Then, “Because that’s what you wanted.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
“I don’t believe you.”
He shrugs. “Lexi.”
I look at him.
“You can’t save him,” he says.
My throat tightens. My voice is small. “I know.”
“Do you?”
I don’t answer. Because I don’t know if I do.
The drive back to campus is quiet. I watch the trees blur past the window, my reflection ghosting over them.
When we pull up to my dorm, I don’t get out right away.
“Thank you,” I say quietly. “For... tonight. For cutting him off. For the massage.” I laugh, short and bitter. “For not being as terrible as I thought you’d be.”
He turns to look at me. “The night’s not over yet.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He leans closer, and for a second, I think he’s going to kiss me. But he just brushes a strand of hair behind my ear.
“It means you’re mine now, Lexi. And I take care of what’s mine.”
My heart pounds. “I’m not yours.”
“You are.”
I get out of the car before I can say something stupid. Before I scream and fight that I’m not. Before I admit that a part of me—a small, terrifying part—wants to actually be his.
I walk toward the building, and I can feel his eyes on me the whole way.
When I reach the door, I glance back.
He’s still there. Watching.
I lift my hand in a small wave.
He doesn’t wave back. Just sits there, engine idling.
I go inside.
And I don’t look back again.
15
Koa
The sun’s barely up when I drop Lexi off at her dorm.
