CHAPTER 58

  Dane stops in the arch and stiffens, sensing by my tone that I am not joking about this, and turns to me with a glare. He takes a second to blow out air and stands up to hide his pain. Straightening his shoulders and locking a ferocious gaze on me.

  “Can you not just butt out? It was an accident. I came off my bike…. It’s not that bad. Bruises and grazes. I already got seen. Now leave me alone.”

  “I don’t believe you.” I blurt out, tears misting my eyes, and I follow him like a lost child. His dismissal sounds like a lie, and no bike accident would make his face that way. He looks like he’s been kicked and punched around the head.

  “I don’t care if you believe me.” Dane shrugs and moves further from me, trying to maintain space. He’s doing a bad job of keeping me at bay because every tiny movement seems to make his breathing labored.