I turned to him now as he continued staring away from me. The sight of his Adam's apple bobbing was a sensation. How he made everything about himself incredibly sexy, I had no idea.

“I had every intention of changing my destination at the airport from Boston to Canada, or New York.” he swallowed. “I wanted to drive my father insane. Wanted him to panic over my safety.”

“What made you change your mind, then?”

“It was Mama's wish to have me come here. I couldn't say no to her. Never did. And going away to Canada instead of Boston would surely have her worried. I know Flynn painted a different image portraying her as some sort of villian but,” He met my eyes for a split second. “Mama would die if anything happened to me. She loved me that much.”

“I can perfectly understand the reason why you behaved that brash when you arrived. And you knew that Flynn must've lied to us about a lot of things, and that made you angry and closed off. The way he spoke to you... that's not a healthy relationship you've both got going on. But what I don't get is why you have to make me your target at every given point in time. Is it simply because you love getting a rise out of me, or do you secretly blame me and my mother for Flynn's behaviour toward you?”

“Why would you say such a thing?”

“Well, because that's what makes sense. It's the only reasonable explanation why you disrespect my mother and annoy me to no end. And it's no fun. I love it when you act nice.”

He let out a pained chuckle. “That's not a great word to describe me, Tim.”

“You're the one who keeps telling yourself that. A lot of people would kill to see that side of you often. Makes your bad boy persona a little more bearable.”

He shook his head. “I dunno... maybe the reason I always attacked you is because I'm the only one who's allowed to do it?” he grinned at my frown. “You've got such a quiet life. A boring one, if I might add. And in your eyes I see how much you hate it, yet you do nothing about it. I was actually surprised when you accepted Matt's invitation to go out on a date.”

“He was a mistake. Let's just... not talk about him.”

He nodded in understanding. “Tuff. Seems like you had no idea of what he had going on with Melody until Giordan attacked. It's just like you to be naive and innocent...but trust me when I say that I knew of Matt's intention long enough before he asked you out. You were only a means through which he could make Melody jealous.”

“Please stop talking about him. I wasn't so into him to begin with.”

“Hmm. I noticed that too.” His eyes became piercing. “So why did you go out with him?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I dunno. Maybe to get my obsessive thoughts off someone?”

“That's a question, not an answer.”

“I know, dummy.” I laughed rolling my eyes. “Trust me, you do not want to know about him.”

“Okay then, if you insist on not telling me, then that's fine. The fucknut didn't know I was your stepbrother, didn't even think of us both close enough until you left for the bathroom and he started flirting the hell out with Melody. I got so pissed at him, I considered beating his arse later cause we were at a public gathering. That's until, your psychoactive best friend showed up and ruined everything.”

“But why did you let everyone think you were the one to blame when you never started the fight? You took all that shit from Flynn, to protect me?”

“It's just like you said, it was my fault that Giordan turned obsessive, and I'm seeking to correct that with my actions henceforth. I talked with his father to get him help, and he'll be fine. Also, no bringing girls home till graduation.”

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome. Tormenting you was fun while it lasted, but I'm gonna drop that shit cause it makes you cry. And God knows I hate seeing those tears in your eyes. You're right. Getting a rise out of you was my own fucked up way of getting back at my father... torture Greta's son. But it sort of became much more than that...a fun little game. I never meant to hurt you with my words tonight, and I sure as fuck wouldn't stand by and watch someone hurt you either.”

He looked up at the ceiling again and we stayed like that in silence, both of us trying to process what he'd just revealed. There was this intense swelling of excitement in my chest at how everything was kinda falling into place. For the most part, I understood him a bit more clearly now.

I lifted my index finger and brushed it softly across the spot on his chin where he'd gotten injured in the fight for me. He closed his eyes and my heart started to pound furiously as his breath quickened with every stroke of my finger over his warm chin. “I'm so sorry you got hurt because of me.”

“It's okay. Was worth it.”

I drew my finger away and he turned to look at me, sincerity glowing in his eyes. Since I had his attention, I used the opportunity to change the subject. “You want to become a librarian?”

He returned his gaze to the ceiling. “Yes. I've grown to love the company of books ever since I was a child. It's a dream I've nurtured all these years. I even wrote a book.”

My eyes glazed over with curiousity. “Oh my God Damien, that's so cool. What's it about?”

He shook his head. “Nah, it's not that great anyway. Haven't even gotten around to editing it yet.”

“Are you ashamed to show it to me?”

Looking uncomfortable, he repositioned his body. “I just don't like talking about it. Actually I began writing when I got here. It's more of a story about my life. About us.”

I couldn't contain my smile. “Really?”

“Yeah. It focuses more on my childhood, how I've been alone for most years of my life with my mother shooting down questions about my Dad and getting dropped off by different cars each night. Even if she traded my happiness for hers, I still love her to bits. A huge chunk is dedicated to Boston too, the parties...the students of Listhrough High...You and Giordan. It's like an autobiographical piece. There are some steamy scenes in there too.” he winked at me. “To help readers get through with the boring chapters.”

“I don't think your book is anywhere near boring with how beautiful you just explained everything.”

He smiled. “You're the only one who sees everything I do as something golden. When I showed it to my father, he threw it into the trash can.”

I gasped, feeling my hatred for Flynn burn a hundred shades more. “That's terrible.”

“Yeah. I'm used to him crushing my dreams. Thank you for standing up for me that night while I was drunk. I might not have a proper recollection of all the events but I remember you yelling at him, and I'll never forget it.” He closed his eyes. “I just don't want to talk about him anymore, Tim. Our history is too complicated to get into so early in the morning.”

I wasn't going to press my luck. This was more than I'd ever gotten out of him, and I was beyond grateful.