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.

on me and nods. Aiden shrugs, even though I can tell he's tired. His eyes are heavier

just darkens, his nostrils

to

going soft and even. Not long after, Aiden folds

is still quiet, still unmoving. For a while, I stare at the screen, not really watching. I let my mind go

Not right now.

without looking at Jake.

"It's late, you know."

jump from where I'm sitting and

his head.

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

I don't

of silence before I hear

him, and he's

My body has been craving his

couch and into his lap, wrapping my arms

like he could be someone steady in the middle of

tears me apart. I shake my head, but

"Alina, I'm so sorry-"

whisper, tensing. "I don't

to my lips and he swallows

deep and real. Like he's trying to pull me out

2/3

Don't Want to Talk-1