Page 176 of Make Me Mean It

“Just stating the facts.”

“You were literally asking how we get him back five seconds ago.”

“For you,” Marcus says, like that makes all the difference. “Personally, I’d like to go back to a time when I didn’t know Knox had ever seen you naked.”

“Marcus.”

“Actually, I’d like to go back to five minutes before I found the jersey.”

“Shut the fuck up.”

He laughs again when I shove at him, and this time a small one escapes me too, weak and rough from crying, but real enough that some of the pressure sitting on my chest eases with it.

Only slightly.

Because underneath it, Theo’s words are still there.

Just stay away from me.

And for once, ignoring what Theo wants might not be something I have the right to do.