Sexting With A Vampire
Chapter 18

Stella

My chest is constricting. I can't explain why, but my heart hurts for Evan while we eat our food. A wise He glances up, and that dimple pop on his cheek when he catches me watching him, and it's all game "What are you thinking about?"

I couldn't be any tenser. "That I love..." I clear my throat, blushing because the last word is a bit awkwa "Have you never had it before?"

"No," I breathe a laugh at that question. "Ashley's family doesn't exactly spoil me when it comes to foo "But they are letting you eat?" "Yeah, but like..."

Evan stares intently at me, waiting for me to continue. The sheer worry on his face makes me feel silly "Like what?" Evan asks.

I brush him off with a wave of my hand. "It's nothing." "Stella..."

My name on his tongue makes me lift my head, and surprise hits me when I look at Evan. Anger is writ Still, his eyes are drinking me in, trying to read my facial expression for any hint of what I might have Eventually, Evan sighs. "I understand that we don't know each other that well, but please talk to me. A "Oh, they are, but..." I inhale in defeat. "Most of the food is either rotten or cooked incorrectly to make Evan studies me. "And what about clothes?"

"I get Ashley's old ones... But like you saw earlier, some of them got holes in them or don't fit me." "That's terrible."

"Yeah, but I shouldn't complain. There are people out there who have it way worse than me." Evan's eyes are fierce. "But this is about you, not them."

"True, but-"

wolf would probably not be lettir

ay. "Pasta."

mplaining. Some people are star

er his handsome face, but it's no to tell him.

not letting you eat?" ke."

"When you show up at school with bruises, and Ashley claims it's been an accident, it's actually her who hurt you, right?"

I swallow thickly and stare down at the table. "This is a rather challenging conversation to have."

"Why?" Evan's tone immediately turns softer. "I'm only trying to help you, but is this conversation making you uncomfortable?"

"Kinda," I admit and smile in pain. "This is the only life I've ever known, and even though I hate the treatment Ashley and her family have give occasions when I get to sit by the table or talk with them..."

"Stella..." Evan looks at me with a pained expression. "It's common for abusers to act nicely toward their victims at times, but that doesn't ma Tears are prickling behind my evelids. "Yes. but please... Can we talk about something else?"