Lissa’s gaze swept up to meet mine, and our eyes locked.
The bottle fell away from my mouth as tears pooled behind her lids, sparkling droplets of visible pain filming her sad blue eyes, and then I froze completely when they spilled over her lower lids and flowed down her cheeks.
She didn't lift a hand to stop them. Didn't take her eyes from mine as her breath hitched and her lips parted.
My hands clamped down on Ashley's sides, holding her still.
“What the fuck?” Ashley said, but I tuned out her outraged cry in favor of the whisper that barely carried across the room.
“I'm sorry.” Liss started speaking, her slim body trembling, and the whole fucking room quieted down to listen as my girl bared her soul for everyone to witness. I almost wanted to stop her. To wrap her up in my arms and just take her away. But I couldn’t fucking move.
She steeled her shoulders and made fists of her hands. “I wish I hadn't hurt you. I didn't know what else to do. I don’t expect you to forgive me, I'm not here for that. But I need… I need you to know something.”
My heart stopped beating when her voice broke. Just fucking ceased to function as my body locked up, my windpipe closing. Didn’t matter. I couldn't breathe, anyway.
“I don't hate you,” Lissa's voice broke as her face crumpled. “I couldn't let you think that. This,” she motioned between us, “it wasn't a lie, Leon. None of it. You made me feel. You made me feel everything.” She shook her head as she breathed, “I wish I could hate you for it.”
My brow creased, heart thundering back to life with several bangs. Was that why she'd done it?
“But I can't hate you...” Her blue eyes shone as they held mine. “Because I love you too much, Leon.”
I couldn't move fucking fast enough. Lissa’s head fell, and then she turned and left the room.
I jerked out of the seat, stopping long enough to make sure I didn't break Ashley's neck, then I raced after Lissa.
I made it to the back door when Ren appeared in front of me. “Just hold on a minute, Le.”
“What?” I demanded, slamming my hands into his chest.
He rocked back on his feet, and took a step back to steady himself, but he didn’t move aside.
“Get. The fuck. Out. Of. My. Way,” I seethed, emphasizing every word, and then my head snapped round when a car engine roared to life.
I pushed my way past him when realization sunk in, running around the corner of the house with Ren following behind me. I made it onto the sidewalk in time to see Lissa's taillights fading into the night sky, and blind fury rocked my vision.
I swung round, fists shaking by my sides, and advanced on Ren with every intention of fucking mauling him to death.
“What the fuck was that?” I grated, closing the distance between us, and digging my forehead into his.
He held up his hands, backing off from any physical engagement as he met my stare and stated calmly, “Ri asked me to do it.”
I ground my teeth together, nostrils flaring as I strove to keep my shit together.
Because I love you too much, Leon.
My shoulders fucking sagged, body with it, and Ren sighed beside me. I closed my eyes and shoved away, planting both hands against the wall as I braced my legs apart and dragged in a deep breath.
I didn't know what else to do.
My head fucking pounded as I replayed every word Lissa had said. What the fuck did she mean?
“Le—”
“What the fuck's going on, Ren?” I asked without turning to look at him, my head hanging low.
He gave another deep sigh, moving closer to clamp a hand around my shoulder. “I don't know.”
I squeezed my eyes closed.