Hate Me (Black Mountain Academy)

by Ashley Jade

“And I want more than that,” I yell. “I want someone who actually wants to be in a relationship with me. Not because he’s jealous and wants me to quit my job, or because I won’t let him fuck me anymore. But because he actually wants me.” And Knox has already made it perfectly clear he’s not that guy.

I’m dozing off when I hear him grunt, “Fine.” I stir as sleep claims my body and I fall into a slumber. “Huh?” His lips find the shell of my ear, causing little shivers to run up and down my spine. “I want you.”

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

But as it turns out…the murders weren’t warnings for Aspen at all. They’re for me. And if I don’t handle this now, there’s only one way it ends… With her being his next victim.

However, he fucked up. Because if you’re going to keep a wild animal in a trap and taunt it with its favorite toy... You better make damn sure they don’t end up loving that toy more than they fear you.

The DJ switches gears to a slow song and Knox’s arms close around my waist as the first few bars of, “Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby,” by Cigarettes After Sex begins to play through the large speakers. I want to pinch myself to make sure this is really happening. I peer into his eyes as we sway to the music. I have so many questions burning a hole inside me…but suddenly none of them matter. Because he’s here…for me.

“Now place your head on her stomach and sob. That’s how I want the police to find you.” I did as he instructed, silently praying my mother would forgive me for my sins. That she’d understand.

I hated him. So much I could feel it immersing in my marrow. The only thing that gave me any kind of solace was knowing that I’d eventually get revenge. And one day…I’d kill him.

“What do you mean he’s killed before? Who?” The groove in his forehead deepens and sorrow colors his face. The fact that he’s looking at me with so much pity after what he just shared sends bile surging up my throat. “Leo shot your father.”

Tears well in my eyes all over again. “I don’t want to leave you.” His hand curls around my neck, drawing me into a kiss so intense I feel it everywhere. I fist his shirt, not wanting to let go because I’m afraid of what will happen if I do. My eyes flutter closed as he kisses a path to my ear and rasps, “I couldn’t save her, but I can save you.” Placing his hand on mine, he wretches the fabric from my grasp. “It’s time for you to go, Stray.”

one formulated once my father married Aspen’s mom. He did it as a punishment. Because no matter how much I insisted I hated Aspen, he knew the truth. The girl with the yellow ribbon meant something to me. Too bad for him his little punishment will end up being his downfall.

“I’d never kill you,” I rasp as she trembles beneath me. Fuck knows I’ve thought about it plenty of times, but I could never go through with it. Aspen’s in my system. Pumping through my veins like sweet poison and surrounding the empty spaces of my cold, black heart. She’s in my head—like a whisper in the dark I can’t ignore. She’s in my soul—like a siren I can’t run away from. She’s the feeling in my chest I’ve never experienced before, but would kill to hold on to forever. She’s the home I never had.

His eyes search mine as he sweeps my hair off my face, like he knows the words he wants to say, he just doesn’t know how to say them. But it’s okay, because I know he will one day. “I know,” I whisper as tears blur my vision. “I feel it, too.”

I’d waited my whole life to be seen by someone and it finally happened. I couldn’t let him ruin that. I was poison. And maybe Aspen was the antidote, but neither of us would know for sure until it was too late.

But I could only look at Aspen, who now had a mouth full of blood as tears continued to stream down her face. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’m so messed up. I’m sorry you saw me. I’m sorry I had to make you hate me…

“You kept your promise,” I whisper when he places me down. He sweeps his thumb over my cheek, brushing away my tears. “Of course, I did.” He closes the distance between us, his gaze falling to my lips. “I love you.” His mouth crashes against mine, kissing me like a man who’s starved for four years.