~Evric's POV~
I walked over, took his cold and resistant hand, and pulled him gently toward me. "Come with me. Let's talk."
I guided Zayn into the quiet spare room. The moment the door clicked shut, sealing us in, he didn't wait for me to speak. He rushed forward and threw his arms around me, holding on with a desperate, crushing strength. His entire body was trembling, a stark contrast to his proud, rigid posture of the night before.
"Babe," he whispered into my chest, his voice muffled and raw. "Please, can you hold me for a second. I can't look at you right now."
I managed a soft smile, kissing his hair gently. "Yes," I murmured. "Anything for you, baby."
I wrapped my arms around him. He clung to me, silent for a long moment.
We stood suspended like that, until his breath hitched, and his voice came out barely a thread of sound against my ear. "Baby?"
"Yes," I answered.
"Baby, I feel terrible. Tell me do you hate me for what I said last night?"
