Page 14 of Replay
“Can’t handle meeting you in person?” I repeat his words, annoyed by his assessment of me. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Santino blinks back at me. “Didn’t you just say a mere hour ago that you wanted nothing to do with me?”
“I didn’t say that. I just…didn’t want to…” My voice trails off as I find myself at a loss for words.
Santino licks his lips with frustration when he realises I’m not going to finish that thought. “I’ll text my number to Allie, and she can get it to you.”
“I still have your number,” I snap, refusing to let Santino think I’m too weak to handle this. “If it hasn’t changed, I mean.”
“It hasn’t.” His body vibrates with frustration as he stares down at me. “Call me if you like then. Have your brother run interference if you think you need it. Makes no difference to me.”
He turns on his heel to leave, and I hear myself call out, “Sonny—”
“Don’t,” Santino says, exhaling through his nostrils and turning his head just slightly. “Just don’t.”
My chest rises and falls in rapid succession as I watch him leave. What the hell just happened? Why is he so angry? What did I even do to warrant such behaviour? Is this how he acts when he’s rejected?Get over yourself, lad.
I scamper off to the loo, fired up from that insane exchange. I take a moment to calm myself in front of the mirror because I need to get a grip before I drive back to Brick Lane.
Once I’ve collected myself, I walk towards the lifts just as a set of doors begins to close. “Can you hold that?” I call out, hoping the passenger inside has time to stop it. The sooner I get out of here, the better.
A masculine hand slams into the doors to push it open, and I nearly trip when I see Santino standing inside.
He hits me with a flat look as he gestures for me to get in. When the doors close, leaving the two of us encased in this small mirrored space where there’s nowhere to hide, it suddenly feels very warm.
This is not my night.
“Heading out already?” Tilly’s voice croaks, wavering slightly at the end as she stands behind me in the lift.
I exhale slowly, trying to calm my temper. Is it actually anger I’m feeling? No, no, that would be too easy. It’s more than that. Deeper.
It’s hurt.
Tilly Logan managed to fucking wound me in a way no woman ever has before.
“Yes,” I clip, staring up at the floor numbers as they tick downward at a snail’s pace.
Don’t engage, Santino. Don’t engage. It’s not worth it. Just wait for the lift ride to be over so you can both get the hell out of here.
“Didn’t like the band?”
“Band was fine.”
“Early meeting tomorrow morning?”
“Nope.”Just leave me alone, Tilly. You don’t want me to drop truth on you right now.
A few seconds of silence before, “Then why leave so early?”
“Why are you leaving early?” I snap, unable to hide the annoyance in my voice. I glance over my shoulder and add icily, “You’re usually up for a good party.”
“The same could be said for you,” she retorts, her eyes narrowed in challenge.
I bark out a laugh. “It’s funny how things change, isn’t it?”
Suddenly, the lift stalls, and the lights go black leaving only the red emergency bulb illuminating the small space.
“What the fuck?” Tilly shrills, and we both look over at the lift panel to see that we’ve stopped. “What’s happened?”
