Page 78 of Twisted Needs

I freeze and blink a few times.

“Call him,” Parker says again, taking a step closer. “You’ll find out exactly how long it takes before I put that short fuck through a wall.” Parker swallows hard. “We had an agreement. You promised me you wouldn’t see him.”

My mouth hangs open. “Umm. Months ago…”

“You’re not going out tonight. I think you should stay.”

I laugh coldly. “Yeah, it’s cute you think you can just ground me.”

He gives me a chilling look. “I swear to God, Anders.” Parker takes another step forward. “He doesn’t get to touch you.”

My stomach drops. “Oh, my God.”

“He doesn’t get to put his hands on you.”

“You hear yourself right now?”

He doesn’t answer.

“Oh, okay. ‘Cause I was wondering if you were insane.”

“I meant what I said.”

“Oh my God,” I mutter again, tuning him out. I think I might be going insane.

No…I’m definitely going insane right now.

I clutch at my chest, the room suddenly feeling unbearably hot. My skin prickles with painful goosebumps that bring nothing but sharp, flashing heat. He gives me a concerned look, reaching out like he’s trying to steady me, but I take a step back. “Parker,” I breathe. “You’re, like…genuinely crazy.”

I almost expect him to take offense to it, but he doesn’t. His eyes widen and there’s a small vein visible in his neck now. Parker huffs repeatedly like he’s forgotten how to breathe normally.

“Either you fuck me, or he does.” I laugh thinly.

“No.”

“Oh, I am getting fucked tonight.” I practically chomp each word. “So if you have a problem with it being good ol’ Seth⁠—”

“I have a problem!”

I stop.

“I have a fucking problem,” he bites out. “You’re not going to stand here in my goddamn kitchen and utter another man’s name.”

“You do realize what you're saying to me right now?” I scoff, laughing manically again. “You’re acting like you have some fucking claim on me. That you’re just entitled to having a say in who I sleep with. We’re just friends, right?” My ears ring. “You sound insane. Like, genuinely insane.”

Parker takes another step forward. His eyes lock onto mine. “Promise me you won’t let another man touch you.”

The room goes completely silent. “You don’t get to decide that,” I mutter weakly. “You don’t.”

“Tell me,” he breathes, “that I’m the only one.” His words come out chillingly calm. I already feel like I’m losing.

“No,” I say automatically, shaking my head. “No. You had your chance…you fucked it all up.”

“I’m the only one,” he murmurs, as if saying it out loud makes it true. “You know that.”

I shake my head in denial. “You pushed me away. It’s too late.” There’s nothing good that could ever come from this. All he causes is hurt and disappointment. I can’t…rely on him. Not anymore.

He isn’t good for me.