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“We need to talk,” I said, trying to sound casual.
Trace let out a short breath and shook his head. “No, we don’t.”
“I need information from you.”
“Unfortunately for you, I’m not going through this again,” he said, motioning between us. “The last time was traumatic enough.”
I stopped right in front of him and blocked his path without even thinking about it. He gave me that look that said he’d rip my head off if he could and folded his arms over his chest.
“You’re in over your head.”
His expression hardened. “You don’t get to say that.”
“And yet I just did.”
“Based on what? Your notes and theories?”
“Based on what I’ve heard.”
Trace let out a humorless laugh, and I knew he was already fed up, which was something I didn’t understand. I had gotten so used to our little interactions that they eventually became fun. It was hard to admit that he didn’t see things the same way.
“So now you’re deciding meanings based on stuff you’ve heard? Wow, I don’t know if that’s an upgrade or a downgrade.”
“There’s meaning to this stuff, whether you want to believe it or not.”
“To you,” he sighed. “Because you need there to be, but that doesn’t mean it goes for all of us. You’ve spoken to Malik, Lucas, and even Connor. Did they tell you something different?”
“This isn’t about me,” I scoffed.
I couldn’t believe he was going to pull the selfish card to get out of this, especially not after everything that was said between us the last time. Wasn’t I sincere enough? Didn’t he understand all I’ve been doing lately is trying to help him?
“I think everything you do is about you. It’s all about your story, your angle and your big breakthrough. You don’t think about how you’re hurting people because they’re all just obstacles in your way.”
“At least I’m trying to make something honest out of it,” I said, trying to conceal the pain.
“Don’t talk to me about honesty.”
“Then what would you call this? Because it doesn’t look clean from where I’m standing.”
His fists clenched as he stepped closer. There was a dangerous gleam in his eyes, and his voice dropped to a threatening level.
“It’s not your place to decide that.”
I swallowed hard and stuck out my chin defiantly. “It is when it affects the team.”
“It affects me,” he shot back. “Not you.”
My voice sharpened as I stepped closer. “You can’t be that arrogant. This doesn’t only touch you.”
He didn’t answer, and I didn’t need him to either. I just pushed away and studied him for a good long moment. He had the nerve to talk about me being selfish when he didn’t consider what his actions would do to the rest of his team.
“You said it yourself,” I continued. “Your sisters are depending on you. Your future is riding on this.”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t you dare.”
“Then act like this has meaning because right now you’re walking into something you can’t control.”
“I control enough.”
