TATE
THE CLOCK TICKED loud enough to drive me insane.
I’d been staring at the same goddamn wall for what felt like hours, pretending I didn’t keep glancing at the door like some pathetic fool. He said he’d be back. That was hours ago. The words were still sitting in my head like static, rubbing raw at the edges every time I replayed them. But he hadn’t said the words I wanted. He hadn’t repeated to me again “I like you Tate.” Even though I knew it was stupid.
He had said it last night. He had confessed—that should have been enough except it wasn’t.
My stomach finally gave in, growling loud enough to echo off the walls. Fine. Food. Maybe that’d shut my brain up.
Downstairs was empty. Not a single soul in sight. No Enzo. No guard hovering like usual. Not even Eli. Just me and that stupi
