Page 48 of Unmasking Secrets
Thoughts from this weekend flood me. Friends who are so similar to her. The flirting with that fucking guy. I can’t do anything about it.
Should I have even taken this assignment? It’s not like we’re friends anymore. We’re living separate lives. I should probably ask Tyler to have someone else take over.
I groan and close my eyes. This is becoming more difficult than I expected.
I’m not sure how much time passes as I mindlessly watch the screens before Tabitha steps into the doorway.
“Hey.” She shuffles her feet slightly. “We’re going out tomorrow night.”
I roll the chair back to face her. “What’s going on?”
“I have a date.”
The fuck she does.
“I’m meeting him at the restaurant, so we can ride together if you prefer.” Her eyes glance around the room before turning back to focus on me. “So… yeah.” She turns and walks away.
What the fuck is happening? She can’t go out on a date at a time like this. It’s too dangerous. I kick the trash can over and groan before leaning over to pick it back up.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
TABITHA
There’s an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. I haven’t been able to sit still all day. My skin is itchy. My chest feels heavy. And it’s all been leading up to this moment. Part of me debates if it’s a good or bad thing why I feel this way, while the other part of me wants to crawl under a weighted blanket and listen to instrumental music. As if I can ignore the world and my problems.
I know I should move forward and keep living my life. I need to move on. Luke’s a decent guy. When I met him in person last weekend, it went as expected. He’s as good of a guy as he seemed online. Everyone thinks we have chemistry, but I don’t feel it.
We’ve been online friends in the community for over a year now. We’ve always kept our conversations strictly professional. Some of the videos are flirty, but it’s always been an act. We portray characters.
The audience has loved every bit and has recently shipped us. There’s even a debate in some comments about what our couple name would be. It’s weird and a little intimidating, to be honest.
Realistically, I know nothing is going to come of this. I’m not in the right place, and I just don’t see him like that. So, why did I agree to go on this date?
Maybe because he asked me out on a date yesterday—in front of everyone—I felt backed into a corner. I couldn’t say no, right?
Archie has been in a sour mood today, more than usual. I almost asked him if he needed someone else to accompany me on this date. It’s not like I want him to watch. It’s already going to be weird. Now it will be even more awkward to know he’s somewhere watching.
It feels wrong.
Things have been off between us since we arrived back at my house. It’s as if we’re struggling to find where we stand with each other. He’s my bodyguard, but it’s more complicated. We’re not friends, but we kind of are. Sometimes it feels like there might be even more, but I don’t know if it’s our history or wishful thinking. I’m in more trouble than I thought.
It was easier when we were younger. Now, we both know there is something more there—or was. I’ve been too afraid to make a move. I’m not the type, and I can’t find the courage to act. What if he rejects me? I don’t think I can handle that. Not from him.
I exhale all the air from my lungs and approach the table at the restaurant.
Luke immediately stands from the table and greets me with a smile. “Hey!”
We side hug and he pulls out my chair for me.
This feels wrong and my gut feels like it’s sinking. I don’t know if I can do this.
I glance out of my periphery to see Archie sitting on the other side of the restaurant. He has his back to the wall, his eyes are locked on me. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, though, because his face is devoid of emotion. It would be nice if I could know something… anything.
“I’m really glad we’re doing this.” He picks up the menu. “I remember you saying you were a dessert girl. People know this place for its desserts. I won’t hold it against you if you want to order dessert first.” Luke laughs.
I smile.
I can’t do this. I need to be honest with Luke, because nothing will come of this.
