Page 28 of Endless Anger
“Ah,” Ariana says, slumping back on the cushions. “I’ll bet they had a fight.”
I narrow my eyes at her, and she seems to hold back a grin.
“Oh, not again.” Mom’s face contorts into a mask of worry.
“There was no fight,” I say, kicking the front door shut. I walk into the living area, holding my hands up. “No blood or bruises, see? I’m fine.”
“We wouldn’t be able to see a cracked rib,” Dad chimes in, joining the conversation.
“Better lift up your shirt and show us,” Ariana says, gesturing at me. “Come on, kiddo. Chop-chop. We don’t have all day.”
I look at her husband again, though I already know it’s pointless. Even if he could stop her from being a lunatic, I doubt he would.
“Ariana,” Mom scolds, hiding a smirk behind her wrist.
“Just trying to lighten the mood,” she replies with a shrug, leaning her head on Cash’s shoulder. Her chestnut-colored hair falls over his suntanned arm. “Your kids are always so serious. As the fun, childless aunt and uncle, it’s our job to provide levity.”
“For the record,” Cash adds, like the lawyer he is, “I never said anything.”
Dad chuckles, squeezing Mom’s neck gently. “Trust me, it’s all in the eyes anyway.”
“Going to my room,” I mutter, though they’re no longer even paying attention to me as I head out into the hallway. I take the stairs two at a time, just in case any of the four try to come and get more answers.
I don’t want to talk about this shit ever again, but especially right now.
Stupid, Asher. You are so stupid.
My hands tremble when I get to my room, slamming the door shutwith more force than I mean to. I slide my phone out of my pocket, reading the sixteen missed calls and texts from Lucy and Foxe. There are even a couple from Aurora, who normally doesn’t care whether I live or die, so Lucy must’ve pressed her to reach out.
Lucy:Are you ok? Did you get sick or something?
Foxe:Where tf did you go?
Aurora:If you went for more booze, could you try to get some of those seltzers we had last time? I’ll pay you back probably.
I delete the notifications, and another comes in.
Lucy:I’m sorry if that was over the line.
Goddammit. I can practically feel her disappointment and confusion.
ForyearsI’ve been starving to kiss her, and when I finally get to, I run away.
Keats scurries out from under my bed when I lie back on it, dropping my phone and covering my face with my arms. My fingers itch, the desire to work out my feelings through sketches welling up inside me, but tonight I punish myself by refusing to create anything.
I’d always hoped to give Lucy Wolfe my first kiss. Nothing else would’ve ever sufficed.
In a perfect world, that would have been all it took for me to get over my insecurities and decide I’m worthy of her.
Tonight should’ve been amazing. My dream come true.
It was, a small voice in the back of my mind insists.
Except now I’ve woven action in with a lie she doesn’t even know about yet, and I have no clue how I’ll ever disentangle myself from this without ruining both our lives.
7
ASHER
