Stranger

Tristan.POV

I wish I knew how to erase it all—the damn thing—so I didn't have to push her away, and maybe then we could see how it all went.

She was angry at me; I'm pretty sure she never wanted to see my face again after pushing her off like she was dirt.

But what did I care? I was doing it all for her; at least, that's what I thought each time I heard her questions.

Atlas had told her then about the dreaded night that refused to go away and stuck memories in my head. Atlas and hitting low were inseparable.

She knew the truth, but not all of it; she'd be good if she kept away from me for as long as possible. Or maybe even forever.

Forever! I shivered in the darkness of my room.

After a few days without her, I felt weak and weary. "You'll get used to it," I assured. There was no way I was going to tie my well-being to her.

The door pushed open, and Aidan came in, his vest undone and the button of his shirt undone at the top; he looked like he had been running a race.

The thou