Page 6 of Masked Sins
I want to defend myself.
I want to tell her she’s wrong—that I’m not selfish because I think about her way more often than I think about myself.
I want to tell her that it all worked out in the end because they were rude as fuck, and she deserves better.
I want to tell her that if I hadn’t overheard them or seen their judgmental faces, I would’ve hidden in the shadows and waited for her to finish.
But I suppose that wasn’t my decision, and now I’ll face the consequences.
“It’s pathetic,” she adds, lips curling. “You’re twenty-four. You’re supposed to be an adult, and instead, you’re getting drunk on a Tuesday afternoon.” I clench my jaw and look down at the floor, knowing exactly what’s coming next. And it’s made worse coming fromher.“I know your mom died three months ago. I know you’ve been having difficulty keeping a job because of it. I get it. I loved her too, Orion. She raised me. Out of everyone,I get it,” she adds, almost pleading with me.
“Stop,” I whisper, my voice hoarse.
“That’s why this hurts so much,” she adds, and I snap my eyes up to look at her. “Because out of everyone in the world, I thought you had my back. I thought I had your support.”
“You do,” I tell her, taking a step toward her.
You have more than my support. You have everything I can give.As the alcohol slowly burns through my system, I get more sober with each word out of her mouth.
She steps back—away from me.
“No, IthoughtI had your support. But I was wrong,” she says glumly.
“Layla, I’m sorry about today?—”
“It’s not just today.”
Her declaration causes my heart to actually stop, fluttering for a second and causing me to sway on my feet.
“What the fuck do you mean?” I ask, growling the words out.
She sobs and covers her mouth. “I can’t do this. I looked past everything that happened with Derek?—”
“Derek? You mean the guy whoassaultedyou?” I grit out.
“You put him into a coma for three months,” she shrieks. “It’s not healthy, Orion.”
I grind my teeth together as I take a deep breath. “What are you saying, then?”
She shifts her weight and crosses her arms, looking down at the floor. “I meant what I said earlier. I don’t ever want to see you again.”
Fuck. Anything but that.
“Look me in the eye and say it,” I command, curling my fists. “I dare you.”
She cries harder. “This isn’t easy for me, you know. You’re my best friend. You’re more than just my step?—”
“Say. It,” I grit out, shaking. “If you’re going to make such a large declaration, at least have the courage to say it loudly.”
Her face crumples again as she looks up at me with large, tear-filled eyes. “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t be your friend while you ruin your life. I can’t keep excusing your unhinged behavior. Get your freaking life together, Orion.”
I wince and swipe at my mouth. “It’s going to be pretty hard to avoid me when we live under the same roof.” My nostrils flare as I shake my head. “You know what? I’ll make it easier for you. Consider me gone,” I tell her, ignoring the way my voice trembles.
Her expression is indifferent, and that feels worse than her telling me she never wants to see me again. I expected anguish or regret—but instead, she just watches me as I take a step backward.
“Goodbye, Layla.”
She lets out a cracked sob. “Goodbye, Orion.”
