27. Skylar

Chapter 27

Skylar

I'm kind of neurotic. I could have been one of the first to finish the test. Yet once I've gone through it once, I go back through, studying each question a little deeper and double checking my written answers. It takes longer, but I feel better doing it. I know I aced this test, and it's showing in my grin as I hand it over to Ms. Allen.

"I was wondering when you were going to stop obsessing and turn your work in. I already know you're going to do great on it, Skylar. You really have surprised me this semester."

Her praise makes me feel good. I can feel a small blush bloom on my face. "Thanks Ms. Allen. I appreciate it. I better get going. I'm heading back to Kentucky for the break."

"Safe travels," she calls as I open the door. I don't respond. I'm too busy looking around for Torin.

It's magical how much things have changed since the fight that we had. Still, after last night, I know Torin is serious. He cares about me. The man actually finally admitted it. Sure, he may have not mentioned the word love, but a lot of men don't. Emotion is something a lot of the male species don't handle well. Still, I know Torin will eventually admit it. He wouldn't have made love to me like he did last night if he didn't love me. I'll just continue to show him how good we are together. That's all. I'll start on our trip back home.

For once, I'm excited to get back to Kentucky. I need to call my mother. I saw a missed call from her really late last night, but I haven't called her back yet. I'm planning on doing it once Torin and I are on the road heading back that way. I'm a little worried about her. She's stressing out over Dad and Breaker being in North Carolina. It doesn't help that the weather in Kentucky has decided to act like we're in the middle of monsoon season. Mom's not in a flood zone, though. She should be okay. Plus, I'm sure the club will bring her over for the lockdown. Mom's going to hate that. I spot Torin looking out a window down the hall, his back turned to me, and his phone pressed to his ear. I start to quietly walk toward him, wanting to sneak up on the man and hug him. But I only get a few steps toward him, though, when I hear something that confuses the hell out of me.

"You aren't telling me anything that I don't know, Raze. I'm going to try to go about this gently. I have to handle her carefully. Last night shouldn't have happened, really. At least, I didn't mean for it to." There's a pause before he continues. I wish I could take that time to breathe, but I can't even move. I feel like I'm dying. "I wouldn't trade last night for anything , but I would have rather been completely honest about who I am before I claimed her. I should have let her know what I wanted from her." At this point, it feels like my heart is breaking. I have to force myself to pay attention when he starts talking again. "I know. I just have to be careful," he begins. "I don't want to hurt her any more than I already have. She lashed out about the pain that I've caused her yesterday. The anguish on her face, Raze, man, it was bad. I felt horrible because I've hurt her so much in the past—even more than I knew. I'm so fucking ashamed and guilty. I just wanted to give her one night that was exactly how she imagined it."

I blink. I must have misunderstood him. He couldn't be saying any of this. Not now.

He rubs the back of his neck and he's silent for a bit. I can only imagine Raze is talking now. I'm having trouble breathing. I close my eyes and will the big jerk to say something else, something that will explain what he's talking about—some type of proof that I've misunderstood everything I just heard. Most of all, I need him to say that he wants more of last night—not that he regretted it.

Please God, don't let him regret the two of us being together.

"I should have, I know. I've fucked up so much, my conscience is about to eat me alive. That's the real reason last night went down the way it did. I wanted to give her a good memory to hold on to instead of the bad."

Oh, God, it just gets worse and worse. I feel like I'm bleeding out. Surely, each of his words is stabbing daggers into my heart. There's no way to survive this.

"Me too. You didn't see her tears, though. They tore me up. I'll sit her down tonight and talk everything out. I won't allow this to go any further. I'll tell her that last night was really fucking good, but still a mistake."

That's it! I can't take anymore. I tune him out. I must get out of here. I feel tears streaming down my face. My vision is blurry from them, but I ignore it. I can cry once I'm far, far away from Torin James.

I quietly sprint toward the side entrance door. Once I'm far enough away that he can't hear me, I speed up. I can't see Torin—not right now. I have to have enough time so that I can be strong when I finally see the fucking asshole again. There's no way I will ever let him know how much he has hurt me.

I make it to the car, relieved that he's not right behind me. I immediately take off the damn cut he put on me today and toss it on the hedge in front of my car. I dig in my purse for my spare key. Grabbing it, I unlock the doors and get inside. I look up to make sure Torin is still not here. Then, I push the button to start it up, and slam on the gas at once. I push the tears from my face, trying hard to stop them so I can drive without wrecking. I don't take time to stop and find napkins to help dry up my face. I need to go.

I must get far away from him. If I don't, seeing him again just might kill me.