Page 28 of A Drop of Anguish
The others at the table are staring at me like I’m insane. My amusement settles when I look up to find a set of pitch-black eyes staring at me.
Well, that’s one way to sober me. Jarron jerks to his feet and then marches from the lunchroom. I find Laithe’s concerned gaze. He gives me a sympathetic smile.
“Don’t worry,” I tell Thompson, “I won’t let the big bad demon get you.” I pinch his cheek, then I rise and follow Jarron from the lunchroom.
12
We’ll Be Nothing
The lunchroom hushes as I march out and stop in the empty lobby. All the attention is really grating on my nerves, but with Jarron back, I’m hopeful things will settle soon. So long as my new wolf friend and my ex don’t decide to get into a pissing match.
This whole dynamic should expose a bit more of Thompson’s motives though.
A chill breeze floats through the air, rustling a few pieces of paper pinned to a corkboard in the corner. No sign of Jarron.
My fingers tap against my thigh. Anxiety curls in my belly, and I really just want to get this over with. I know it’s too much to hope for, but I want things to go back to normal.
Although, I guess I don’t even know what normal is now.
Normal would be Liz with me. Jarron and I not speaking. Me avoiding all things supernatural. I don’t want that form of normal anymore.
Yes, I want Liz back. But I wouldn’t want to lose Jarron.
I need a new normal. Liz is gone; I can’t change that. And my relationship with Jarron is over, but our friendship doesn’t have to be. That’s my goal now.
-Kill Mr. Vandozer.
-Ease back into a friendship with Jarron.
-Maybe kick some supernatural ass with my potion-making skills.
I peer out the doors to the courtyard but see no sign of the demon prince. There isn’t anyone to ask either. But I really, really want to find him. We need to speak to get over some of this tension.
I want to tell him that Thompson isn’t a threat and we’re only friends. I want to tell him I still care about him, even if I don’t want to date him.
Somewhere between the anxiety and sadness, there’s a tiny tug in my gut.
I turn back to the courtyard doors and push them open. The icy air bites at my exposed skin and tosses my hair back.
My fingers wring together as I walk through the chill air over the cobblestone walkway and toward the small courtyard garden ahead. The path winds around several sets of trees and flower bushes.
When I finally find him, Jarron is leaning against a shadow maple, hands in his pocket and head drooping.
He must hear me approach, but he doesn’t move. Doesn’t react.
My heart pounds as I examine him. The curve of his body is like artwork, and it makes me think about all of the things I never got the chance to do while we were still together.
My eyes snag on the buckle of his belt, but I force them higher. I can’t think about him like that. Not if I want this to work out. If we weren’t friends, I could live in my fantasies about the sexy, powerful demon prince all I wanted. But those feelings must be smothered if I’m to make a friendship work. And I desperately want that, even more than I want in his pants.
“Hey,” I whisper.
Jarron pulls in a long breath then finally looks up. His eyes are back to his regular honey brown, but there’s a deep sadness, along with a flicker of interest.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
He straightens, leaning his head back against the bark. “I’ll be all right.”
I tilt my head, watching him. As I consider what to say next, I realize part of me is angry with him. I’m not sure that’s fair or rational, but he left me alone here. “I didn’t think you were ever coming back.” My voice dips lower, grows sharper.
