Hate me

Aspen

“We need to talk.” 

Sitting up, Knox reaches for his pack of cigarettes on the nightstand. I watch the muscles in his broad naked back stretch and contract with the movement. 

I’ve been wanting to ask him about his plans after graduation for what feels like forever now, but every time I try, he either changes the subject, or distracts me with mind-blowing sex. 

Seeing as we only have two weeks left until we cross that stage and receive our diplomas…it’s now or never. 

His voice is a rumble of smoke and ashes when he speaks. “About what?” 

I pull the sheet around me. “What are your plans after we graduate?” 

Closing his eyes, he sags against the headboard. “Don’t know. I haven’t given it much thought.”  

“Have you applied to any colleges?” 

He brings the cigarette to his mouth and inhales. “Nope.” 

Not surprising. Knox doesn’t really seem like the college type. Not that he isn’t smart. He definitely is.

A knot forms in my stomach. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I shouldn’t be. 

I guess I’m afraid we’re not on the same page. That maybe I’m rushing things. 

Maybe I want this more than he does. 

Despite him being my boyfriend, we still act like we hate each other when we’re in public. 

I get why we have to…with us being step siblings and all. But that’s all the more reason we should start our lives together. 

Far away from here.  

“We should get an apartment together.”

He raises an eyebrow as a stream of smoke escapes his mouth, but otherwise stays silent. 

Neither agreeing nor disagreeing. 

A

It was supposed to be two weeks ago, but Staci and Traci’s murders kind of ruined that, so it had to be rescheduled.

I can feel him studying me like a hawk as I put my clothes on. “You’re upset.” 

“And you’re…indifferent.” 

“Indifferent?” 

A groan of frustration leaves me. “Apathetic, unmoved…cold. How many more words do I have to use for you to understand why I’m so upset?” I glare at him. “Damnit, Knox. Do you even care about me at all?” 

Or am I just some stupid girl with stars in her eyes because she’s falling for someone who isn’t capable of ever loving her?

He stubs his cigarette out in an ashtray. “You sprung this apartment shit on me out of nowhere, Stray.” 

I suppose he has a point there.

“Fine. If that’s the case, take some time and think about it.” 

He nods slowly. “I will.” He crooks a finger at me. “Come here.” 

I fold my arms across my chest. “No.” 

He stands up and I can’t help but zero in on his abs, his strong, powerful thighs…and the big thing between his legs that’s swinging like a pendulum with every step he takes. 

My spine meets the wall behind me as he approaches. “You’re sexy when you’re angry.” 

My eyes flutter closed when he seizes my chin and his mouth finds my neck. “You shouldn’t have gotten dressed.” His free hand toys with the buttons on my shirt. “I wasn’t done with you yet.” 

Arousal shivers through me when he licks a hot line along the column of my throat…but then I remember that I have to start preparing for tonight. 

Pushing his hand away, I side-step him. “I can’t. I have to get ready for prom.” I find my shoes on the floor and put them on. “You probably should, too.” 

Confusion shadows his face when I look up. “What’s wrong?” 

“I’m not going to prom.” 

This is news to me. I mean, we never talked about it, but he sat there and listened as I droned on and on about everything the prom committee –the one I’m the head of—had pla

He knows how important tonight is to me. 

Not just because of all the work I put into it, but because for once I get to have something…normal. 

Disappointment sinks like a brick in my chest. “Oh.”

I don’t even know why I’m surprised because this so isn’t his thing. 

Even still…he knows how much it means to me. 

“You know what? Fuck you.” 

Brushing past him, I walk out the back door. 

“Stray,” he calls out after me, but I ignore him, the hurt in my chest growing worse. 

I now know how Leo felt during our last conversation…because I’m forever wanting things from Knox I’ll never get.