Read Me (Forget the Past, #2)

by Lauren Connolly

Cats. Never clear about what they want, but will make sure to punish you if you don’t figure it out.

I can’t help having flashbacks to the other times in my life when I felt safe only moments before finding myself abandoned.

I hate this. The bouts of panic that come from uncertainty.

That’s when you find out just how much destruction a life can handle. How painful it is to live with the wreckage of a broken heart.

Before Cole showed up, my nerves had been in debate between fight or flight. Flight won out.

He doesn’t step into my space. His lean body lounges against the door frame, his icy gaze sweeping over my little satellite home.

“I used you to escape an uncomfortable situation. I’m sorry.” He shrugs, eyes still not meeting mine. “Use me any time.”

“Only give me real smiles. If you’re sad, frown at me. If you’re mad, scowl.”

There’s a pressure on the top of my head, and I realize Cole is resting his chin on me. Like he has no immediate plans to end this embrace.

“Black works for me today,” I repeat. “But when I’m happy again—and I will be—I won’t be able to stop myself.” “From doing what?” he murmurs, his stare seeming to catch on my mouth. “From trying to paint you in colors.”

Summer blinks up at me, making her eyes all wide and innocent looking. It’s like I’m staring down at a classic princess cartoon. And I can’t help remembering how my first crush was Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Apparently I have a thing for brunettes obsessed with books.

I’m going to look so silly. But I guess that’s another part of my anxiety I need to learn to deal with.

“My sweet grandbaby. I should have stood still for you.” “It’s okay.” “It’s not. We both know it’s not. You know I love you—” “I know. I’ve always known.” “But you should have seen. I should have shown you.”

“Why did I lie, you ask? I lied because I am a monster and you are perfection. I lied because I am selfish, and I want you. I lied because the truth of me is a dark twisted mass. I lied because I am terrified. Terrified of life without you in it. I am desperate for you, and I believed lies were the only way to keep you from leaving. If I had known that truth was the key to you, I would have shared every detail of my pathetic existence.”