Page 122 of A Duet of Darkness and Dreams

I knew this would end in tragedy. He warned me. I warned myself. My lonely heart just wouldn’t listen. But the pain ignites a fire in me so hot I’m burning even as the snow swirls in the air around me. No one helped him? Bullshit. The truth is that no one helped me! What does Dave know about what it’s been like for me?

A small part of me knows that’s unfair. I didn’t even tell him about the phone call with Simon. Probably because that same small part wants to give in. To hand over what I have because I’m so tired of fighting. But then what will I have? Nothing. I won’t have an internship, I won’t have Dave. I won’t have a future.

Well, screw that. I’ve earned my future, and Simon can publish that goddamn picture of me in the school paper for all I care. I’m graduating in a few weeks and I never have to set foot back on campus again, so let him do his worst. Besides, Randall would never allow him to publish it anyway, so he’s probably bluffing.

Hours later, as my hands cramp from the typing and the wordsspill out of me, I decide to do exactly what every other man in my life has taught me to do: look out only for myself and make my dreams come true. And they can all think me heartless or weak for choosing myself, but if I was a man, no one would bat an eye.

CHAPTER 37

Little Lies

DAVE

Three pairs of horrified eyes look back at me.

“You didwhat?” James grits out.

I bury my head in my hands. “I know . . . I know. I’m an idiot of gargantuan proportions.”

“You might possibly be the stupidest person on the goddamn planet,” Key chimes in, leaning on a microphone stand.

“So, she told you she loves you and you accuse her of doing all those amazing things for you as journalism tactics?”

I groan. “No, I accused her of that before she said . . .” I can’t even finish the sentence. “The worst part is that I didn’t even run after her. I should have. I wanted to but I—I don’t know.”

“What are you so afraid of?” James asks.

“The last time I loved someone—it almost ruined my life. I guess I’m just . . .”

James frowns. “You really think Isabella would ruin your life?”

“What if something happens? What if what we have disappears, or I choose her over it all?”

“Dave, man, why would you ever need to choose?” Joel says. “From what I know about Isabella, she would never do that toyou. No offense, but you really are a moron if you can’t see that Isabella is the best thing that’s ever happened to you—to us.”

“God, I know. I fucking know that. What’s wrong with me?”

“Do you love her?” James asks.

I look up at all of them. “Yeah, I do.”

“Do you want her to be yours?”

“Yes.”

“Then go tell her,” Key says. “Apologize for being a giant dick last night and tell her how you feel before you lose her forever.”

“What if . . .” I pause, chewing on my lip. “What if she won’t forgive me?”

“Then you’re no worse off than you are now.”

I nod.

There’s a sound of doors opening, and a booming laugh echoes from the empty auditorium as Al enters with his curly hair and portly belly. “Big night tonight!”

We all lock eyes. “Big night? Why? It’s just a regular show.”

But Al is grinning like a lunatic as he approaches the stage. “Not anymore it’s not. Because Carnal Sins has now officially hit gold!”

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