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Eli slides in front ofhis expression It’s vicious and full of death For seven years, I’ve worshipped the ground he’s walked on Never giving a shit one way or another that he served tirity issues I’ve betrayed hiet her down," I say "And then you can deal with me"

The circle of men part None of them will ht ahead Once I reach the porch, Violet opens the door then follows s

I say nothing as I enter Emily’s roosup, didn’t I?"

"No It was e ourselves" I reht she arrived The night I dragged Emily into that crevice at the motel and damned her to our world

Mom said Emily was surrounded by land e She said it like I had a choice in becohteen years ago when Meg and Eli fell in love and had a baby They tore each other apart then made decisions that continue to have a domino effect Now Emily and I are left to battle the flames

Emily sits up and backs into the corner of the ith her knees drawn to her chest There’s a dip on the bed Lars pads over then collapses at her side Emily stares e’s head His droopy eyes flicker froh

I scratch behind his ear "Stay with her, boy"

He whines and Eo?"

"Party’s over and I have so to do"

"I’ve cost you what you want There’re going to kick you out, aren’t they?"

I punched a brother and from the show I put on with Emily, it’s obvious she and I have been inti on ers under E her head up "I love you"

Emily’s dark eyes widen and if this h at her expression I swipe a finger across her smooth cheek "I’ve never said that to anyone and I don’t plan on it being the last ti you we’ll work this out"

She goes to respond and I place a finger over her lips "We’ll work this out"

We study each other She wants to say it back, I long to hear her utter the words, but not like this Not tonight We both deserve better than that

"I’ht," she admits

I sit on the bed and press my forehead to hers "I know"

"I didn’t mean to cost you this" She barely touches the leather of my cut