Page 23 of Cruel Destinies

“Only the pretty ones.”

I gave an amused huff. “Shea. But that’s all you’re getting from me.”

“Well, Shea-but-that’s-all-you’re-getting-from-me, I hope we meet again.”

I shook my head and spoke over my shoulder as I walked away, “One can always dream.”

I had enough to worry about with the two men who were already taking up too much of my mental and emotional space. The last thing I needed was to add another random guy to the mix.

Dream on, dude.

Chapter 9

Ashlyn

Life had been…weird since Niko told me he was leaving. He hadn’t been around much, and even when he was, he was distracted with packing, studying, and preparing for his internship. We hadn’t spent any quality time together, and that was definitely pissing me off. He hadn’t even left yet, and it was like he was already gone.

If I couldn’t handle this, how was I going to handle him actually not being here? For months or even years?

The first day, I descended into sorrow and mopey depression. But that took way too much emotional effort, which I had absolutely no patience for, so I shoved it away and took to indifference instead.

I stopped asking Niko to spend time with me. I stopped texting him asking how his day was going or what task he was doing when he left with his parents. I told myself that I stopped caring, but that one wasn’t so easy.

Did Niko even notice my nonchalance? Did he even care?

Ugh, this was why I didn’t date. I didn’t need this shit. This neurotic will-he-won’t-he obsession!

Maybe it would be better after he actually left. Out of sight, out of mind. Maybe I wouldn’t mind if he didn’t respond to my texts because I would know he was, in fact, busy. Maybe I wouldn’t worry that he might have gotten killed under the general’s instruction. Maybe I wouldn’t imagine on repeat that he met some badass dragon bitch in the military who made him forget all about me.

“Ash?” A pair of fingers tapped on my shoulder as I stared at nothing, the book sitting unread in my lap.

I looked over my shoulder up at Niko behind me, the lighting in our secret library spot too dim for me to clearly see his face.

“Hey,” I said.

“I’m surprised to find you here.” He came to sit across from me on the carpet, an uncertain expression coming into view on his face. “But I looked everywhere else with no luck.”

“Oh, you were looking for me?” I asked, not hiding my—slightly sardonic—surprise.

“Yeah, of course,” he replied with a frown.

I shrugged, closing my book. “I like it here. It’s cozy and secluded. No one bothers me here.”

“That’s why I like it, too,” he said.

I nodded, looking everywhere but at him.

“Is something wrong?” he asked, and when I did look at him, there was a concerned crease between his brows.

I sighed. “It’s just been…difficult. You haven’t left yet, and it’s like you’re not even here. This was your last week here, and you haven’t made a single effort to spend time with before you go.”

He narrowed his eyes at me, incredulous. “You don’t think I’ve tried to make time for you? You have no idea how busyI’ve been wrapping up my semester work, packing my shit, dealing with countless phone calls from my mom, my dad, the general… I’ve tried really hard, but I can’t get anywhere. This was the first chance I got to spend time with you, and I took it. That’s why I’m here.”

I didn’t like his defensive tone. Like his neglect was somehow my fault. Like I didn’t have the right to be irritated at his lack of attention.

“None of that is my fault,” I said coolly. “I didn’t make you take this internship. I’m not the one piling anything on you. I haven’t even tried to steer your attention away from yourduties.”

He blew out a breath. “You’re right. This isn’t your fault. I chose this.”

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