AN: Sorry for the break there guys. I started a new job this week so I was pretty busy with that! Anyway, here’s the next chapter!

I watch as the wolf-dog pads away, taking one last look at me before disappearing into the evening. I sigh and stand. The dog has been coming to my spot in the park this past week and half since the day on the pier with Ash. I haven’t heard from her since then. I pull out my phone as it buzzes.

Ash: See you at the pier?

I smile and slide my phone back into my pocket. My whole body is warm and buzzing. Tonight, I’m going to do it. I’m going to tell her how I feel and finally kiss those ruby lips. I make my way my car and hop in.

I lock my car and make my way down to the pier. The whole world looks less dismal knowing that Ash is waiting at the end of the pier for me. I notice a black wolf-dog like the brown one I see at the park and smile slightly. Maybe, if tonight works out well, I can get a dog sometime in the future with Ash. I stop for a moment as I see her on the pier. Gnome she’s beautiful. She looks at me as my footsteps sound off the wood beneath us.

“Jayden.” She says with a sad smile.

“Hey.” I reply, coming close. After a moment of hesitation and pull her into a hug. “Is everything okay? What’s wrong?”

She clings to me. “Jayden. I need you to trust me.” She whispers so quietly I can barely hear her.

“What?” I ask.

“Shh.” She pulls away and looks up at me, and I can see tears beginning to pool in her eyes.

Confusion rises in me alongside fear. What is happening? I step back and watch her. “Ash, what are you…”

“We can’t ever speak again, Jayden. I can’t – “ Her voice breaks off as her eyes flick behind me for a moment before coming back to me. “I can’t have anything with you. What we had was fun while it lasted, but it can’t continue. I don’t love you Jayden, I never have.”

Time stops, or seems to. What? I feel like she took a knife and gutted me. Inside, I feel the darkness rising, itching to take hold.

“But…I do. Ash, please. I lo-“ I begin.

“No!” She yells, the pooling tears now cascading down her cheeks. “No, don’t finish that. I don’t love you, Jayden. I never have. I-I never will. Please, don’t come after me.” She storms past me, not even giving me time to react or move towards her.

The pit opens wide and I fall headlong into it. I’m so stupid. Of course this was all just fun and games to her. She’s an escort for gnome’s sake. Dear llama, how could I have been so dumb? The darkness feeds off my pain, easily growing to consume me. I need this to stop, all of this to stop and fall away into nothingness. With a steadying breath I turn around and head back to my car, shooting off a quick text.

I speed through the streets, my focus on the road the only thing from keeping me from falling over the edge. The address that was text back to me bright on my phone’s screen. A few minutes later, I’m in the thick of the city in front of a bar. I send a text back. ‘I’m here.’

After a few moments a figure leaves the bar. Camera’s flash as she makes her way to the car. With a quick motion she’s opened the door and jumped into the car, shutting the door before another camera could go off. I glance at her, all done up and camera ready, nothing like the woman that stood in front of me all those months ago after the tournament.

“Hey.” I mutter, putting the car into drive and speeding off down the street.

“Hey.” Selena replies, throwing a quick glance my way before looking out the window.

She guides me to her house, but other than that we don’t really say anything to each other. Neither of are here to catch up on old times. No, talking is not on either of ours agenda. I pull into her driveway and we both exit the car. For a brief moment as I follow her, part of me resists, part of me knows this is a bad idea. But it’s quickly shut down as the darkness smothers it. Right now, I’m in pain, but in a few minutes, I’ll be blissfully numb to it.

She pulls me towards her bedroom, throwing the door open. Before it’s even hit the wall she’s pressed against me, her lips hungrily pressed against mine. I welcome it, kissing her back as we tumble into the wall, my hands all over her.

I don’t love you, Jayden.

I pull us from the wall and we stumble across the room to her bed. As my knees hit the mattress I let them bend and we crash on top of the comforter. She straddles me, pull away to flash me a quick smile before pulling my shirt off.

I never have. I never will

I grasp the small zipper on the back of her dress and pull it down. Her dress falls off her body and she steps out of it before returning back into my grasp. Any resistance from my mind is covered by darkness now. Almost.

I never will.

I let out a growl, forcing my thoughts and her words from my mind. Gone. I just want it all gone. Selena tugs at my pants, releasing the button. I kick them off and pick her up, climbing on top of her, kissing her neck, my hand warm on her thigh. I pull away for one brief second, taking her in, wishing it was Ash. Numbness, I just want to be numb. I lean down and kiss her hungrily again, and her body moves with mine. Finally, the darkness takes complete control and in a few more moments, I’m blissfully numb.