Memory: Book Two (Scars 2) Read Free Page A

from me. I needed to get away from him before
the vileness in me plagued him and began his destruction.
    He
stood as well, frowning and open mouthed. I staggered backward as the loose
sand beneath me attempted to trap me there as if it were an embodiment of the
devil, or my mother, trapping me until I had served her duty.
    “I
have to go.” My voice was cold and normal, which surprised me because I
expected it to come out deep like a man’s, like a monster. He said nothing as I
turned, nor made an attempt to follow. Even so, I broke into a sprint along the
beach. I needed to get away from him before I succumbed to my old ways. I
needed to be amongst people like myself, bad people amongst whom I could
hide and, in comparison, seem purer than pure, whiter than white.
    I
needed Aaron.
    My
fingers automatically punched in the code at the gate and it hissed and buzzed
as it swung open, revealing the pool and stone pavers, and beyond that the
house of glass. I hesitated, my head twisting to search down the beach to the
bonfire and the music. I couldn’t make out Ryan, and that disappointed me
because I wanted to know if he were watching me. I didn’t know why that was
important to me, it just was.
    Finally,
I stepped inside and let the gate close behind me, cutting me off from all that
was normal. Weirdly, I found my lips curving up in a slight smile as I stepped
inside the house, as the thought of Ryan’s attention played on my mind. It was
nice. Once, maybe, I would have poured scorn on him, but now I missed it. I
missed the fun games young people are supposed to play when they test the
waters for love and companionship. I didn’t bother to turn on any lights; the
moon gave enough light through the expansive windows for me to see my way.
    “Have
fun?”
    I
paused just before I placed a foot on the first step of the staircase, before
turning into the living room where the voice had come. Inside, I had jumped
with surprise, but my outer shell didn’t betray that fact.
     Aaron
sat in the dark, nursing a drink, and staring at nothing.
    “When
did you get back?” I asked as I reached over and switched on the lamp beside
him. My mouth dropped open in shock as the bruising, swelling and blood on his
face were revealed in the light. “What happened to you?” The only marks that I
had ever seen marring his skin before were from me.
    His
lips twisted into a smile that was macabre with the blood staining it. “I got
sloppy.” He tilted his head back and drained his glass before reaching for the
bottle and refilling it. “Drink?”
    “No.”
I sat on the edge of the armrest of his chair, still studying his face. “Does
that happen often?” I had never heard him offer a criticism of himself before.
    His
eyes flicked up to me. “No.”
    I
shifted slightly, wondering if I should just go up to bed, but then asked,
“What happened?”
    He
shook his head. “I don’t know…I’m fucking good, this shouldn’t happen. This doesn’t happen to me. Ever since you…” he trailed off, before slinging back his fresh
drink.
    I
watched him. “Ever since I what?” I asked cautiously.
    “Never
mind.” He put his glass down on the side table. “I’m going to take a shower.”
    “No.”
I got to my feet. “Tell me what you were going to say.” I moved in front of
him, blocking him the best that I could.
    He
stopped, giving me a look. “You’re a distraction, Rachel. That’s all I meant.”
    I
frowned at him. “What does that mean? You’re blaming me?” Our eyes stayed glued
to each other’s for a moment, he was the first one to look away.
    “Stop
being dramatic,” he muttered. He went to move again, but I stopped him, placing
my hand on his wrist.
    “A
distraction? That means you feel something for me.” I took a breath. “I
wouldn’t be a distraction if it didn’t.” My heart was beating hard and I
couldn’t understand why I was acting this way, why I was acting so needy.
    He
caught my eyes, and stayed silent