Finn
FINN
The door to the suite slamming echoed down the empty corridor, tears blurring my vision as I hurried to the elevator, needing to put some space between me and them. Because that was how it felt. They had history. I was an outsider. No matter what Jasper said about how he felt about me, experience told me that I’d end up getting hurt. Fuck, I was already hurt.
I hit my finger against the call button for the lift, hoping it came quickly. When I stepped into the metal box, I let out a sigh of relief. I knew I needed to go back and get my stuff, but right now, I needed to feel the sun on my face. I’d get a coffee, I’d scroll social media, I’d pretend I’d not just had my heart broken. Again.
When the lift pinged at the ground floor, I walked through the foyer and outside, huffing out a breath. The street was busy with people travelling home, and I didn’t want to be around people. I wanted to fall apart, and I wasn’t letting anyone see that.
I walked across the road through the small park that I knew took me down some quieter roads. The sun was warm, and it went some way to easing the pain radiating in my chest.
I was lost in my thoughts, which was why I didn’t notice the bee until it flew near my face. Not thinking, I raised my hand to keep it away, and it hit me, stinging me near the base of my throat.
I wiped my neck, removing the offending beast and trying to get rid of the venom, but I could already feel it poisoning me. My lips tingled, my throat tightening. But it was fine. I just need my EpiPen. Reaching for my bag, I remembered leaving the hotel without it.
Stupid, Finn. Never leave without the EpiPen.
Right, I just need my phone. Patting my pockets, if it wasn’t for the narrowing in my throat, I might have laughed or cried when I realised that my phone was in my room. Sucking in a breath, I ignored how hard it felt to get air in or how narrow my throat felt as my slowing pulse thumped ominously in my ears. I focused on the hotel, which I could see towering above me. It wasn’t far. I’d be fine.
Setting off at a pace, I stumbled back, repeating that I was going to be fine again and again, all the while ignoring just how scared I was.