Page 52 of Injustice and Absolution

She took me by surprise a few nights ago at dinner when she told me she signed a lease for a new apartment. I didn’t realize she’d been looking.

I did my best to appear unaffected by the news. My eyes caught Draven’s periodically, his narrowed stare reminding me that I’m the one who fucked up—not her—and to keep my cool.

I think the only one more surprised than me was Maggie. It's not usual for Delilah to keep Maggie in the dark like that. It’s a fact that I find worrisome.

I guess I should have expected something like this to happen, though, considering how I blew up at the girls a couple weeks ago. Well, how I blew up at Delilah. Maggie was more an innocent bystander who I needed to suck into my wrath to make my new rules seem legit.

But I would have expected a drastic move like this from Maggie more than Delilah. Or at least for them to band together. I’m shocked the girls aren’tbothmoving out today.

But Delilah went and did exactly what I suggested she do. I meant every word of it when I said it, not realizing how much it would hurt—and how much I would regret it—when it actually happened.

I don’t know... Maybe I thought it wouldneverhappen. Maybe, in my stupid, pompous brain, I thought she’d never want for more than what she had here.

Did I actually expect her to follow me around, forever, like the lost kitten I viewed her as all those years ago?

Did I expect myself to allow her to linger in my world while I ignored her indefinitely?

Did I want to keep her here and not enable and equip her with everything she needs to go out and find the life she deserves?

Stupidly, I think I did.

And then, unable to get my rage under control that night, I made a further mistake of trying to punish her. Of ruling her life with an iron fist, the way some parents try to do with their kids.

I acted the way I probably should have acted toward Maggie when she was growing up. Maybe not so harsh, but I should have cared more about what she was up to and with whom.

I guess I should just be happy she didn’t follow in her parents’ footsteps, ending up pregnant at nineteen.

She and Delilah both.

“She’s making a mistake.” Maggie pulls me from my thoughts, and I tear my eyes from the truck. “You need to do something.”

We both made ourselves scarce when Drew first got here. A silent protest to Delilah’s departure and one of the first times Maggie and I have ever held the same viewpoint about something.

“If she wants to move, I can’t stop her,” I lie.

I know exactly what to say to get her to stay, but it’s not fair to continue toying with Delilah’s emotions like she’s a goddamn yo-yo.

And what the fuck would Maggie think of me then? If she ever found out what happened between me and Delilah, she’d be the next one to leave.

Whether it be from Diego’s threat or the fact that—in my own way—I do care for Maggie, my chest grows tight at the thought of her abandoning me too.

With Delilah leaving, the only thing keeping Maggie here is Fernando. They’re saving all their money for their wedding and to buy a house of their own.

Once everything is secured in the back of the truck, Delilah and Drew walk toward the house to say their goodbyes.

“Royce, I presume?” Drew focuses his attention on me.

Climbing the steps up to the porch, he holds out his hand.

“That’s me.” I offer him a firm shake.

Finally face-to-face, I can see a glimmer of delighted defiance in his stare. It makes me dislike him even more than I already did.

Before today, I wasn’t sure whether Delilah chose to ignore my request for a meeting or if Drew refused. But now I know. It didn’t matter how hard Delilah pushed him to come here. He was never going to give in.

“Drew Sullivan. I’ve heard a lot about you,” he informs me.

“Wish I could say the same.”

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