Page 49 of Drown My Sorrow

“I don’t want to talk about them,” I spit bitterly and turn the taps on.

Nat stands with her back to me as I strip off and wrap myself in a towel.

“What happened?”

“Gwen happened. Again.”

Nat winces and glances over her shoulder. “Are you all right?”

“Fine, just sore.” I purse my lips. “No, I’m not. I’m humiliated, and Kelly was with her when we left. What’s wrong with me?” I wail.

“Do you want me to beat her stupid? Because I can and will.”

Nat laughs, but I pour some of the delicious jasmine-scented bubbles that Shale ordered for me into the water.

The Daane own the biggest house on the island. It’s been specifically renovated to make getting around it easier for me. Though we all ignore that small fact. The stairs became ramps. There are rails everywhere, and they put in this bath because they know I’m terrified of the ocean.

I sink into the bubbles and let out a relieved moan. Nat comes and sits on the edge of the tub.

“Are you really going to let them go?”

“Nat, I have nothing to offer anyone. What can I possibly give them that will make them want me?”

“Aspyn, it’s not like that-”

“Kelly walked into the café today, and it was like it was the first time I saw him and…” I stop and grab some of the bubbles. “I couldn’t breathe. It was like he was crushing me. The weight of his hatred and disapproval, it was like I couldn’t exist under it.”

“That alpha is a prat. You have three good ones. If you had three more good ones, you’d be bored.”

I snort.

Nat studies me. “Accept the Daane.”

“Nat!” I say in shock. She’s never been so serious about me accepting them before.

“Aspyn, accept the fucking Daane. They are yours.”

I shake my head. “I can’t.”

“You can. You can be happy. Far out, woman! You don’t need to keep hiding.” Nat’s smile falls. “It’s getting harder and harder as I get older to hold out hope that I might find someone who could be mine. You have them. Please, Aspyn, accept them. Be happy. Live the life we both dreamed.”

“My own mother didn’t love me enough to stay. I was a burden to her. I will just be a burden to them, and I love them too much.”

Nat frowns at me. “I can’t talk to you when you’re like this. I’m going to get chocolate. We’ll see if we can get a sugar high to cheer you up.”

She stalks out with just a whisper of sound. I relax in the tub, closing my eyes. I smile when I hear the door open, but I don’t open my eyes.

“Nat, are you going to tell me about the date you went on or not?” When she doesn’t respond, I try again. “I’m sorry, Nat. I just think it would be wrong. They will hate me. Look at me. I’m ruined in all the ways that count.”

She doesn’t answer.

I open my eyes and find Ezy standing there staring at me like he’s seen a ghost.

I turn my face away, trying to hide the scar, and sink deeper into the water.

“I’m sorry, I think I…wrong door.”

I screw up my face and look away from him. “What are you doing here?”

---