Page 19 of Bullet
I look back at the hall. “It’s left its scars. I fear that it might be too late to truly save her, but I’m going to try my best.”
“And what Honk said about not dating her?” he asks.
“I’m not dating her. I’m making sure she lives,” I tell him.
“You’re in love with her, though.” He calls me out on my bullshit.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I have to disrespect him because of it. I am willing to sacrifice myself for her. I can love her from afar.”
He lets out a snort. “I’ll believe it when I see it. The prospect is on the way. See you soon.”
As he hangs up, I can’t help but go check on her one last time. She is lying on the bed, her hair splayed out around her. She looks so fucking beautiful like this. I wish I could crawl into bed, hugging her to my side.
I can’t, though, so instead I go to her, kissing her forehead once more.
“I’ll be back. Be a good girl, Angel,” I whisper against her skin.
Then I slip out of her room and wait for whatever is to come next.
The shrill of my ringing phone wakes me from the deep sleep.
Motherfucker.
I buried my head under my pillow to try to block it out. When it finally stops, I let out a sigh of relief, only for it to start ringing once again.
Jesus Christ, who’s trying to get a hold of me right now, and who in the hell turned on my ringer?
Grunting, I reach over and blindly find my phone on my nightstand. “Hello?” I grumble.
“Dude, why did it take you so long to answer your phone? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you all morning,” Skyla asks.
Skyla is the closest thing I have to a friend, but we aren’t close. She doesn’t know anything about me besides the fact that I like to drink, smoke, and have a good time. We met at a party before my mom died and have partied together ever since.
“Because some of us are trying to get our fucking beauty sleep,” I snap.
Skyla laughs. “Girl, let’s be real you don’t need beauty sleep, now get your ass up. We’re having a pool party today.”
I can’t help but perk up at the word “party.” Where there’s a party, there’s alcohol and weed, two of my favorite ways to let go.
You promised Bullet you wouldn’t do this anymore,a little voice in the back of my mind reminds me.
I don’t want to disappoint him again. It seems to be all I ever do anymore. I want to be better.
“As fun as that sounds, I think I’m gonna have to pass.”
Skyla’s quiet for a moment. “What do you mean you’re gonna have to pass? Are you sick or something?”
“No, I just have something to do today. I’m sorry.”
“Is it not something you can put off? I mean, we both know how much you love parties…” She attempts to entice me.
“Unfortunately, no. Next time, though,” I tell her.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asks, almost sounding concerned.
Goddamn, why won’t she take no for an answer?
“I’m fine, I promise,” I lie.
