I… wasn’t supposed to keep going back, but…”Ī door opened somewhere in the house, followed by the sound of footsteps. “Why didn’t you talk to me before the day in the library? Then this wouldn’t be so… messed up. “Why were you guys watching so much?” I asked, genuinely curious. Mom hadn’t held a pen since the accident. I knew there was some in the savings, but the bank had told me they needed my mom’s signature to transfer the money over. The money from the life insurance had been running low for weeks. I wanted to…” He trailed off, lips forming a hard, tight line. It was the first time I could remember seeing you cry. “I saw you once, outside of a bank in town. His words were oddly compassionate, tender almost-and very creepy. My hands fell away from my body, hanging limply at my sides.

Instead of going to the coffee shop before school like all the other kids did, you were dropping her off at a babysitter. You wanted to go to college-Penn State? To become a doctor like your father,” His voice dropped to a whisper. Hayden tipped his head down and locks of damp hair fell over his forehead. But I’m not sure if your friends abandoned you, or if you pushed them away. You always wore long sleeves, even during the summer.

“When you returned to school after the accident, the kids were assholes about you wearing gloves. Impossibly, he seemed to have moved closer. You wouldn’t have lasted as long as you did caring for a five-year-old if you were. “I’m not as stupid as you must think I am. We’re surrounded by woods, and there’s about fifteen miles between here and town. “Except that, but it’s for your benefit,” he said. “You are allowed to do whatever you want. He shadowed my movements, blocking the door. Anyway, you’re not planning on running away?” “You’re not really good at eavesdropping. You’re not supposed to be talking to me or whatever. “You’re not supposed to be talking to me. What was I thinking? I couldn’t touch him. The sudden urge to touch him hit me hard. Autumn leaves and something wild teased my senses. “Were you going outside?” He slid the music player off his arm and started to wrap the earbuds around it. Skin stretched over taut muscles, slender hips, and a very hard-looking chest-and wow, it was a nice chest. A music player was attached to one of his biceps, and a low hum came from the earbuds. Absolutely naked from the low-hanging jogging pants up. Damp hair curled around his forehead and flushed cheeks.

Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout