The Distance Between Us (MAC Security 3)

“I’m taking these,” h

e says, holding the bottle in the air and waiting for my reaction.

All I can come up with is, “Please don’t tell anyone.” I beg him, jumping up off the chair and rushing toward him. “Please, Evan,” I plead.

“I can’t do that, Kitty, I have to tell Ty.” His face drops as he sees tears gather in my eyes and I hate that I’m doing this, putting on the waterworks so that he’ll do what I want.

I can see the slight hesitation on his face so I grip him harder, promising him that I’ll stop.

“Stop,” he growls, taking ahold of my wrists and pushing me away. “I need to think.”

I take a couple of steps away from him, watching him as he mumbles to himself and paces the small space in my living room.

His head lifts and he watches me for several seconds, his stare intense before he takes a couple of steps toward me, bringing his hand up to my face and cupping my cheek. “Promise me you won’t take them again.”

“I promise,” I whisper, keeping my eyes connected to his.

“I shouldn’t be doing this,” he says, his shoulders sagging. “You shouldn’t be taking them, especially these, you don’t even know what’s in them! What were you thinking, Kitty? I just… I can’t believe this is you right now.” I stay silent, not saying a word as he contemplates what to do. “Fine,” he relents, then points at me. “But the first time I think you’re taking them again, I’ll go to Ty.”

“Okay,” I say, stepping forward and wrapping my arms around his waist.

He pulls me closer, dropping a kiss onto my head and then pulling away, clearing his throat awkwardly.

“Come on, meeting starts in five.”

I nod and turn around, grabbing my water and then tilting my head to my room. “I’ll just go and put my boots on.”

“I’ll wait.” He smiles but I can see the distrust in his eyes.

I turn around and head to my room, shoving my feet into my boots and opening up my hand.

Three pills. Three small pills that could destroy me and everything I’ve worked towards, but the longer I stare at them, the more everything slips away.

“Kitty!”

“Coming!” I shout back, opening my mouth and dumping them inside, swallowing them down with some water.

I wait for the guilt to set in, but when I walk out of my room and look at Evan, all I feel is peace. My mind isn’t wandering any more. It’s silent, just like I need it to be.

We walk side by side in silence to the warehouse, but it doesn’t really register as the pills flow through my system. I feel like I could do anything, tackle anyone. That is until I see Charlie’s car parked outside and my heart starts beating faster, my pulse spiking.

“Charlie’s here?” I ask. I haven’t seen him for weeks now, not since he kicked me out of his house.

“I guess.” Evan shrugs, pulling open the warehouse door.

I step inside first, my eyes snapping around the warehouse, looking for him. When all I see is Luke sitting at the table, I walk straight to the kitchen. Charlie must be in the office with Ty and Kay.

I need to get out of here, now. That feeling of being able to do anything because of the pills disappears the longer I’m in here and when I get into the kitchen, my breaths become gasps. I rush to the counter, gripping it and trying to center myself.

I can’t do this. I can’t face him, not when he hates me right now and that’s exactly how he feels. I would if I was him. I snooped, looked at stuff that I shouldn’t have. Personal things and I know I should apologize but every time I write out a message to him or go to call him, I can never do it.

“Kitty?” His deep voice is like music to my ears but I can’t bring myself to turn around and face him. I can’t bear the thought of seeing the disappointment in his eyes.

His footsteps come closer and goose bumps rise all over my skin as his hand touches my back.

“Don’t,” I choke out.

“Kitty,” he pleads, his hands moving up to my arms and spinning me around. “Look at me.”