Better Hide

by Alina May

She should probably keep trying to hide from me. Because once I have her heart, I’ll never give it back. Even if she begs.

“This is what happens to people who fight me, Jo. I break them.”

“I’ll be your everything, Jo. I’ll be the air you fucking breathe. And every time you forget it, I’ll remind you of it.” His voice lowers, “You can’t live without us. We won’t let you.”

“You don’t get to say no. You don’t get to call the shots. We do. We’ll take care of you. We’ll fight your battles. We’ll feed you, clothe you, bathe you, fucking hell, breathe for you. Stop fighting us.”

Cole leans over me, his voice cracked, eyes still wild. “I wanted that baby, Jo. I didn’t care if it was Jayden’s or mine; it was ours, and I wanted it. I’ve spent the last six months missing someone I never knew.”

It’s fucked up that I enjoy it when people care, even if their “caring” is a giant red flag.

“I will never hurt you, Jo. Not where it counts.” He reaches out and taps my chest. “Not here.”

“I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth, Jo. Please stop hiding from me.” Then, even softer, “I need you.”

That fight I’ve been obsessed with for so long is burning bright in her eyes. But for the first time, when I look at her, I also see the pain. And then I realize something with horrifying clarity. I’ve been trying to break something that was already broken. Something just like me.

“You don’t have to hide from me anymore, Jo. I’m not perfect, but I’m going to keep working so you never have to hide again. None of us will.”