He finished up and left Edge and I on our own.
“I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get here. I put in for leave straight away.”
I held up my hand. “You don’t need to feel like you have to be here.” When his eyes scrunched, I felt like an absolute tosser. “Look, I know you mean well by coming, but I’d prefer to be alone.”
“I’m sorry, Miles.”
“I told you, I know you mean well. I just—”
“Not for coming.” He scrubbed his face with his hand. “I should’ve been driving that BFV.”
“By way of what?”
He shook his head. “I just should have been.”
I didn’t respond. What could I say? We both knew it was the luck of the draw. I wouldn’t wish what happened to me on my worst enemy, let alone my best friend.
“Whatever I can do…”
“I appreciate it, but—” The door opened again, and this time, a woman walked in. The woman. What the hell was Pia doing here?
“Am I interrupting?”
“No,” said Edge at the same time I said, “Yes.”
“I can come back later.”
Edge stood and walked toward the door. “I’ll give you a few minutes.”
When Pia walked closer to the bed, I closed my eyes. I didn’t want her here. I didn’t want her to see me like this, but more, I didn’t want to see her pity reflected back at me if I looked into her eyes.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“I had to come.”
I opened my eyes and stared her down. “Why?”
The question appeared to stun her. “I care about you, Mylos.”
“You shouldn’t be here,” I repeated. “I don’t want you here.” I turned my head and closed my eyes. “Leave, Pia.”
“But, Mylos, I left school, I traveled—”
“I don’t care. I asked you to leave, and I’d appreciate it if you’d have enough respect for me to do so.”
I didn’t open my eyes again until long after I heard the door close behind her. I had no idea who had contacted her or suggested she visit, but I’d make it abundantly clear to everyone that I wouldn’t permit her to come back.
8
Pia
I walked out of Mylos’ room and leaned against the wall outside his door as silent sobs racked my body. The beautiful man-boy I knew was gone. It had nothing to do with his injuries; it was his heart I could no longer feel. I longed to wrap my arms around him and give him comfort. Instead, I wrapped my arms around my own waist. I couldn’t describe the pain I experienced when he said he didn’t want me there, when he told me to leave.
“Ma’am?” I heard a man’s voice say. “Pia?”
I raised my head and wiped at my tears.
“I’m Keon.”