Christian was still fuming by the time we got back to his house. His dad was gone for the week, which was good for us, because we needed some time alone to talk about things.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP6jMznxrJ
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"I cannot believe her, your own mother," he snapped as he put me down on the couch. "How could she say all those nasty things to you, and then go and hit you like it was nothing? I mean, fuck, Kendall! Aren't you even mad at her?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1m8bSXFh5
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"Of course I'm mad at her," I said, glancing at him. "I'm just choosing to not express it as volatile as you are."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2efEpNIjA
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"It's frustrating to see you go through all of this and not react," he said as he sat next to me. Then he hugged me close, his lips pressed into my hair. "I think your session with Dr. Alder tomorrow is going to take longer than usual."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EaFAkrqs3
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIAeD7II8f
"I don't think I'm going," I murmured. "I don't want to have to see her, take up her time, with every little bad thing that happens. She can't help with my mom, or the dreams, or even what happened with Jude."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4bbzvfk3H
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Christian blinked, untangled himself from me, and said, "What happened with Jude?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrwuPchPcA
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I bit my lip, mentally cursing myself, and took a breath. "He's been watching me." No use telling him about the kiss. "He said he was paid a lot of money to get information on me. I didn't meet him on accident."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx2yzitoZT
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For a few minutes, Christian didn't speak. His silence was sometimes worse than his words, and this time I didn't blame him for being quiet. I wouldn't have known what to say if I were him. I closed my eyes and waited. Waited for him to start cursing and screaming. Waited for his horrible temper. Waited for him to break something.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CIR8LgMNX
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"What a fucking prick," he mumbled. "Did you punch him in the face?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc04JhkTN3i
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"I really wanted to." I shrugged, glancing at him. I reached out and gripped his hand, squeezing his fingers. I was grateful when he returned the gesture. "But I was too stunned to do anything, especially after I found the pictures."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwGO9NV5oM
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This time he looked at me, his eyes narrowing, darkening. His grip on my hand tightened before he growled, "What pictures, Kendall? What the fuck is going on?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjARa3VrgQi
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"They're just of me. Nothing too creepy. But whoever wanted information on me probably wanted to know what I looked like, too. Ugh." I placed my head in my hands and shook it. "This is all so weird. First the letters, then this. What's next?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhUQSzooCV
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"Letters?" Christian muttered, raising an eyebrow. "Jesus, Scott, you're holding out on me."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ28DmjGxjI
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I looked away from his face, unable to tell him the biggest secret. The wounds I'd suffered through all of this had been too much, and I just needed to calm down before I told him anything else. I laid my head against his chest and closed my eyes, said I needed a minute, and tried my best to relax.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKrasHfpVn
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The next time I opened my eyes, it was dark out. I lifted my head and looked around the quiet room. When I didn't feel him beside me or hear him breathing, I started to get up. Since it was pitch black, I didn't see the ottoman in front of me, so I tripped over it, landing on the floor. I let out a shriek and watched one of the lights in another part of the house turn on.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr6NX1frUg
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"Are you okay?" Christian's shadow loomed in front of the light from the kitchen, and as he bent down, his body swallowed the glow. He touched my head, my hair, my cheeks and lips. Then he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFW3HBSoLf
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"I'm okay," I said. "I just tripped."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdO4FpUNqy
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Even in the darkness, I could feel him smiling when he said, "That's typical of you. Are you ready to tell me your other secret now?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7IXrPBf0w
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Before I replied, I heard a soft vibration. My phone. I could see it trembling, the light from the screen illuminating the other side of the couch. I reached for it, flipped it open, and read the message.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBMxrgq6LJ
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One New Message From: Unknown Number475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67riocPqfW
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Turn on the news.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZLCkK8XHh
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When I found the remote and hit the power button, the TV flooded with white light at first, then a voice spoke. It sent chills down my spine.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ4OeJzpbd
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"The body of a local teen was found in this clearing behind me. Authorities believe the body to be that of missing boy, Jared Davis. No further details can be provided at this time."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5UStF80w3
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I dared a glance beside me, where he sat.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7a647mROU
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Christian was gone.