Page 69 of Heat & Deceit
“Yeah. Like I said, Lycus wasn’t that bad.”
Javier’s eyebrows pinch together, almost like he wants to say more, but I grab my things and hop out. As I rush inside, I want to look back to see if he’s waiting for me to get in the elevator, but I don’t. I keep my attention solely focused on getting to my apartment. It isn’t until I’m unlocking my door that I realize I never answered him.
What did you think it would be?
Truthfully? I thought my life would be anything but what it has turned into. I thought I’d be safe. I thought I’d be loved.
I’m mostly safe now.
The rest...well. Not everyone gets a storybook ending.
I march into the bathroom and open the medicine cabinet. I’m halfway through the supply. Opening the bottle, I tip it over, and the pills rattle out and onto my palm.
My stomach drops.
It’ll be fine.
I can buy more from Rome. It’ll be humiliating, but better that than going into my heat.
* * *
ROME
Javi is gone by the time I get home and I find Ly with his forehead pressed to the top of the piano, moaning and muttering something nonsensical. He smells like vomit and liquor. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from scolding him.
He rolls his head to the side when I stop beside him. “Are you here to see the show?” He gives me a drunken smile and stands, slapping his hands to the top of the piano and grunting. “Give it a minute.”
“Let’s get you to bed,” I say, offering him the glass of water I filled for him.
“Don’t tell me what to do.” He scowls at the water but takes it, sipping. “The show’s about to start.”
I have no idea what he’s talking about. “Ly.”
“Rome,” he says sternly, mocking me. “Sit.”
“Don’t tell me what to do,” I mock him back.
He giggles. “Oh, fuck,” he slurs. Slamming back a bit more water, he shoves the glass into my hand and stumbles past me, plopping onto the piano bench. “I call this one,The World’s Biggest Disappointment.” He sets his fingers on the keys, somehow managing to treat the piano with the same care as when he’s sober.
“Ly—” I cut off when he plays the first notes loudly, ignoring me completely as he loses himself in a song that’s depressing. I clench my fingers around the glass and grind my teeth together. This isn’t the first time he’s said he’s a disappointment, and I hate that he feels that way. There’s so much good in Ly. He’s so talented. He’s funny as fuck. And he’s one of the best friends I’ve ever had.
I want to shake him. I want to yell at him and remind him that we’re pack and everything that means. But while that might be what I need, Ly needs a softer touch.
Setting the water on the table near the couch, I walk over and join him on the bench, placing my fingers on the lower keys as he scoots over. He shoots me a dopey grin and changes the song he’s playing to the upbeat duet he taught me.
I miss a note and mutter a curse.
“S’okay. You’re doing great.” Ly nods at me to keep going.
We play it over and over until I play it perfectly, then he starts another duet he taught me. When it hits the chorus, he slurs through the lyrics of the children’s song with a smile on his face. I chuckle and join him, absolutely butchering it but not giving a damn.
Eventually, he stops playing, curling over and moaning as he clutches his stomach. “She hates me.”
“Carmine?”
He nods.
“Did she say that?”
