Page 90 of Challenge Me

“I’m always me.”

“No, you’re making this about you.”

“What can I say? I’m selfish. Why do you think I named the bar after myself?”

“I don’t know since you can’t stand to look at yourself in the mirror most days.”

Something changed in his eyes, betraying him. “You don’t know what I do most days. You don’t know me at all.”

“I thought you were an asshole not too long ago, drifting along on vibes, not a care in the world.”

“Close.”

“No, I don’t think so. But I bet that’s what you want to be.” I closed the distance between us again and gripped the strap of his bag, but he held on to it. “You’re a liar, too, Remi.”

“Every question you’ve asked, I’ve answered with truth. The things that would make other men hide in shame, I wear on my sleeve if someone is brave enough to approach it. Can you say the same?”

“If not shame, what makes you absolutely despise yourself?”

A snarl formed on his lips. “Fuck you, Amir.”

“Seriously? That’s where we’re at?”

“When you’re sitting in your ivory tower feeling sorry for yourself because life’s not perfect? Yeah. Fuck you.”

“Yeah, yeah. Your life’s always been a mess. Poor Remi with his traumatic childhood. I get it.”

He smiled in a way that made spiders crawl down my spine. “Oh, you think that’s what it is? Please, tell me more.”

“You lost your parents to drugs. I imagine that took its toll. Life with addicts must’ve been its own hell, but that doesn’t give you a pass to attack me because my problems aren’t big enough.”

A short, sharp laugh escaped him. Covering his mouth, he began to laugh harder.

“What on Earth could be funny right now?” I asked.

“You’re still making assumptions, and you’re very bad at it.”

“Maybe you’ll finally explain.”

He became serious again. “I don’t owe you anything.”

“I never said you did.”

“Good, then we’re on the same page.”

“I guess so, but . . . Never mind.”

“Gods, just for once, say how you’re really feeling, not what everybody else wants to hear. It’s your last chance anyway.”

“Okay, I’m afraid!” I threw my arms to the side. “Is that what you expect me to say? Mal could’ve gotten hurt today.”

“Yeah, she could’ve.”

“And you—” I cut off with a humorless laugh. “You’re acting like it’s all fine and fucking dandy.”

“It is fine! I dealt with it. No harm, no foul or whatever.”

“Then why the hell are you leaving?”