Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 157

Don't Want to Talk-1

The movie plays on the screen while Zaid's hand rests on my thigh. He's rubbing circles into my skin, but all it does is make me annoyed that it's really the only contact I've gotten all day.

I ignore the comments the guys make as they point out the flaws in the movie. Usually I'd join in, but tonight I can't seem to care.

I'm sitting between Zaid and Aiden, while Jake is on the recliner on his own.

They've all been a bit quieter today. Weirdly quiet.

Like I might break if they even look at me too hard. It's pissing me off.

They're walking on eggshells. Not flirty. Not playful. No teasing. Like they all know what today is and they think I'm going to shatter any second. Like I haven't been walking around with this day carved into me every day for the past two years.

I clench the blanket around me tighter, digging my nails into the fabric to keep the sting in my eyes from turning into something worse.

I don't want to cry. I don't want to feel it.

When the movie ends, Aiden leans forward to shut the TV off, but I grab the remote first.

"Wait, I'm not tired. I'm going to put something else on," I say, clicking through the apps to choose another one.

Absolute silence is what I get from them all.

"You guys good with this one?" I ask, my voice flat.

though I can tell he's tired. His eyes

his nostrils flaring like he's trying to keep something

to Talk

breathing going soft

still quiet, still unmoving. For a while, I stare at the screen, not really watching. I

Not right now.

without looking at Jake. I figure he's

"It's late, you know."

where I'm

tilts his head. "Aren't you

in my hand. My eyes drop to my lap. “If I

don't

of silence before I

glance at him, and he's already sitting

body has been craving his touch... any

the couch and into his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck

against him. He smells like soap and clean clothes, like he could be someone

apart. I shake my

"Alina, I'm so sorry-"

I whisper, tensing. "I

and he swallows thickly. He kisses me.

trying to pull me out of myself, like

2/3

Don't Want to Talk-1