“You know where the fridge is. Excuse me,” I mutter, pushing my chair out behind me and running for the stairs.
I manage to keep my sob in until I’m safely inside my bedroom. It rips from me the second I rest back against the door.
I’m not sure I can do this. Maybe coming here and believing I could live under the same roof as him was the stupidest thing I ever could have done.
My cell vibrates on the nightstand and distracts me from my meltdown.
Thinking it’s probably Harley already asking if I’m okay, I rush over. But when I get there and take in the preview, my body turns to ice.
Unknown: Welcome home. Let the games begin…
My hands tremble as I stare down at his words. I haven’t heard or even really seen him in over a week. I might have my suspicions about him being involved but other than that, he’s been far from my mind. A part of me I think might have hoped that this was over. But it seems that his threat is still very, very real.
I look over my shoulder as someone runs up the stairs. I don’t need to open the door to know it’s Zayn. I can feel it.
I reach out to take my cell. I should show him. He’ll know what to do about it. But I can’t. I remember the way he looked at me downstairs. It was almost like I didn’t even exist to him. I can’t send him away one minute and then need him the next.
If I’m going to stand by my word, then I need to deal with my own issues. Even if they terrify me.
Squaring my shoulders, I delete his message and set about getting ready for my day, not that I have a clue what I’m doing, but I refuse to hide in here because of him.
I’m better than that. Stronger than that.
I’m putting my mascara on when a knock sounds out on my door. For a second my heart jumps into my throat thinking that it could be Zayn, but then I hear the girly chatter on the other side and I blow out a long breath, although I’m not sure if it’s relief or disappointment.
“Come in,” I call, shocked that they even waited long enough for me to respond. They don’t usually have those kinds of boundaries.
They both pile in and dive on the bed.
“So what’s the plan for the weekend then?” Harley asks, ignoring the elephant in the room that was me running from downstairs. I’m not sure why she lets me off, but I appreciate it.
“No idea.”
“Ooh, we should go and get mani-pedis,” Ruby pipes up.
“I’m easy. I do need to go back home though to get a few things.”
“Okay well, why don’t we swing by your place, grab what you need then we’ll head for the nail place?”
“What about a spa? We could go all out,” Ruby says, excitedly jumping up and down on the bed.
“Um… I can’t really afford that,” I say quietly.
“Oh, don’t be silly. We’ve got you.”
I shake my head, an uncomfortable feeling twisting my stomach. It’s already too much that I’m living here and relying on the Hunters as much as I am. I don’t need them paying for luxuries for me too. “No, I can’t.”
“Pops,” Harley sighs.
“No,” I say, holding my hand to stop her argument. “I need to focus. I need to get back to school, get a job, and start thinking about my future. You two go to the spa, but I can’t waste a day or the money doing that.”
They look between themselves, I can almost hear the words that are right on the tips of their tongues.
Thankfully both their cells beep, cutting off anything they were going to say.
They both pull them out and stare down.
“Ugh, Chelsea is calling us for a meeting at her place.”
“On a Saturday?”
“Yup. Championships are approaching and she is like a dog with a bone.”
“I guess you’d better go then.”
They both complain as they climb from the bed, probably more to do with their lingering hangovers than the fact they need to go practice. I smile to myself wondering if Chelsea’s demands might have something to do with the state of some of her squad last night, if her actions are really no more than a punishment for their actions.
“What are you smiling about?”
“Nothing. Can I… um… borrow your car?” I hate to ask, but I really don’t want to walk or pay for an Uber to get to my house, and I really don’t want to ask Zayn.
“Of course. Rubes can drive us. Let me go grab my key.”
She disappears leaving me with Ruby.
“You know,” she starts. “He really didn’t do anything at the party last weekend.” She pins me with a look I don’t need.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“It’s done, Rubes. It’s over. It doesn’t need talking about again.”
She studies me for a few seconds as Harley’s footsteps get closer once more.
“Sure, whatever you say.” She rolls her eyes at me but ensures I can’t comment because Harley throws her key over.
“Ready?” she asks Ruby.
“No, but let’s go.”
“We’ll see you later, Pops. Be good.”
I laugh at them. When aren’t I good?
When you were fucking her brother behind her back.
Pushing the thought aside, I grab my purse, stuff my cell into it and pull on my sneakers.
The house is quiet as I make my way through, I have no idea where Zayn went, and I’m sure Jada is in her office as usual.
I unlock Harley’s car and slide into the driver’s seat. It’s been a while since I’ve driven, I can only hope it’s like riding a bike.
Just as I’m about to back out, movement in the second floor window catches my eye. I shouldn’t look, I know that, but my eyes have a mind of their own and in a beat, I find them locked on a pair of dark angry ones.
He’s standing at the window topless with all his olive skin and taut muscles on display. My body reacts like it always does but I force myself to ignore it. I’ve got to stand by my words, it’s the right thing to do.
Ripping my gaze from his, I go back to what I should be doing, and drive away. Although I soon realize that despite the fact I’ve put some space between us, he’s still in my head, driving me fucking crazy.
Pulling up to outside the house I’ve called home for all my life is weird. I’ve never really felt a huge connection to the place, but it’s even less now. It’s just a building.
I’m not sure what I was expecting coming back here. Maybe to feel like I was coming home, maybe some kind of nostalgia. But there’s nothing.
It’s weird the feeling of not belonging anywhere. I didn’t belong at Auntie Trish and Uncle Evan’s, I’m not sure I really belong at the Hunter’s, but I don’t belong here either. I don’t even want to be here. There are too many memories. Too much that haunts me.
Pushing the door wide, I climb from the car, my eyes darting around the front yard.
My skin tingles with awareness as if I’m being watched. But as I look around, I don’t find anyone or see any movement.
Setting my apprehension aside, I walk up to the front door and slide my key into the lock just like I’ve done a million times before.
The house is cold as I walk inside and I can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen with it when my parents are unable to come back. Others keep saying if to me, but I’m more realistic than that. I stand by my words the day I was told about all this. They’re both guilty.