Page 68 of Awestruck at Dusk
My thoughts were boiling up into a scorching temper.
“I wouldn’t have given a shit ifDaddydidn’t give me access. I wouldn’t have left you alone on your birthday. Period. I would’ve—”
“You say that,” I cut him short. “But I’d like to see you try going against Aaron someday. It’s not that easy.”
“Nathan keeps doing that. Leaving when he shouldn’t. Or should I remind you how he left for the Super Bowl and left you crying?”
“That was two months ago! And that was a completely different situation.Iasked him to leave. And if it were up to me, I’d want him to be here right now.”
There I said it.
He needed to know where I stood with Nathan. He needed to know that I loved him and that I wanted to be with him, but William kept messing with my mind all the time. I had to put an end to it, as painful and challenging as it was.
“So … what? You’re choosingNathan?” William asked, glancing at the ruby pendant again with such fierceness I thought it would shatter to pieces. I looked down at it and instinctively ran a finger through the red stone.
My eyes went wide from the bluntness of his question.
Why would he corner me like this?
“You don’t understand, it’s—”
“You’re shitting me, right?”
“William—”
“Save it.” He snorted and shot a smirk my way, the kind that drove me crazy. Bad crazy.
His lips then went into a tight line, and he nodded a few times. He turned around and walked away. “I would’ve chosen an emerald … your favorite color. To match your eyes. Too bad the guy doesn’t even know what you like. Good luck with that.”
“William. Wait—”
“I’m done.” He slammed the door behind him, and I shut my eyes as I processed what had just happened. Half of my body wanted to go after him, to tell him I didn’t know what I wanted yet, to give me time. But the other half pulled me back in. It was time to grow up, wake up, and start owning my choices.
I walked back inside my apartment and found Nina and Zara talking casually in the living room. The room went silent as I approached them. They both glanced at me.
“Hey guys,” I said, coaxing a smile. Zara looked away and stood up.
“How are you feeling?” Nina asked. What a question, and how to begin to answer it?
“Exhausted, but I’m good. Thanks. Um—I could ask the guys to drive you home, or if you want to stay, you’re welcome.”
“No, of course not. I’m pretty tired too. It’s best if I go home,” she replied, standing up too.
“I’ll let Aaron know, okay?”
“Thanks, Billie.” She hugged me. “Happy birthday. I had a lot of fun tonight. The show was amazing.”
“It was. And you need to tell me all about Aiden some other time. He’s cute, right?”
Nina laughed a nervous laugh. “I will, and yeah, he’s a great guy.”
“Very well, then!” Zara said, approaching me. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, birthday girl. Rest up that pretty head of yours. Will and I will be right next door if you need anything, sis.”
Will.
“Thanks—sis,” I replied. I still couldn’t make myself sound legit when I called her that. It was so ridiculous.
They both left, and I was finally alone, so I took an uncomfortably hot shower to avoid my mind from wandering and collapsed in my bed. But a nagging thirst invaded me during my sleep. My throat was dry, and I craved a glass of water.
