Chapter 10
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Tessa
It’s been three days.
Three days since Andrew told me I should have never come back.
Three days since I found out how deep his hatred truly runs.
With a grunt, I fling my pencil across the hotel room and give up on any attempts at journaling.
From the bed, Chase looks over his laptop and raises an eyebrow. “Wanna talk about it?”
“Nope.”
“Fine, wanna talk about the stink rolling off you in little cartoon squiggles then?” I throw up a middle finger in response. He grins. “Why don’t you visit Ma with me again? Delilah seemed to like you, and it’s getting kinda pathetic, you hiding out like this. Of course, that would require you to shower. . .”
“You were supposed to have my back at that dinner,” I snarl.
His face falls. “How many times do I have to apologize? C’mon, I didn’t think he was gonna flip out with his whole family there. Besides, I figured it would be good for you to spend some quality time with them. I wouldn’t have left you had I known he’d lost his goddamn mind.”
I slink down in the desk chair and groan. “You should have seen the look on his face when he spoke to me, like I was a slimy worm who crawled into his cereal. No, like I was a fleck of shit, on a slimy worm, that crawled into his cereal. He fucking hates me.”
With a sigh he shuts his laptop. “C’mon, you knew he was still gonna be pissed.”
“I know. I know. I just wish. . . Fuck. I don’t know what I wish, but you’re right, I expected this. I have to buck up and get through it. So he hates me, lots of people do. I’ll get over it, and everything will be fine.”
“Who you trying to convince over there?”
“Shut up,” I snap.
My phone vibrates on the desk and I snatch it up.
Blossom: U still alive?
Me: Yeah, sorry just been at the hospital a lot. How are you?
Blossom: How is Mrs. Masters doing? I’m good, class was a drag today, besides that, not bad, especially now that I have a date with this cute TA tonight. Picture incoming.
Me: She’s doing a lot better, they are going to release her soon.
“What’s a TA?” I ask out loud.
Chase shrugs. “Fuck if I know, why?”
“Beth has a date with one, apparently.”
He looks away, but not before I see his expression darken. On my phone, a picture pops up of an attractive man in glasses. I turn the screen to show him, and his nose wrinkles in disgust.
“Looks like a nerd. I mean, if she’s into scrawny losers that’s her problem.” I shake my head at the flagrant jealousy he harbors without even realizing.
Blossom: Cute, huh? Anyway, I only have one morning class tomorrow. I thought you could come hang out. Eat some grub, paint our nails, have a movie night, all that girly shit I’m sure you missed.
I drop my phone in my lap, considering the best way to decline.
“What? What did she say now?” I roll my eyes at his high-pitched voice, he couldn’t be more obvious.
“She wants me to hang out tomorrow.”
Chase covers his mouth in shock. “But what about your hiding?”
My upper lip raises in a snarl. “I am not hiding.”
Sliding off the bed, he saunters forward and throws out his hands in a challenge. “Prove it, pussy.” I raise my arm to ball check him, but he catches my wrist with a chuckle. Yanking my hand free, I return to my phone.
Me: Sure, sounds fun. What’s your address?
Her excited response comes back in the form of a dozen emojis, half of which I struggle to decipher. Is one of those symbols a pile of shit?
My lips crack into a smile. Maybe this is exactly what I need. No dagger eyes shooting at me, no proclamations of hatred, just me and the first person to drag me out of the shadows.
My Blossom, how I’ve missed her.
The rest of the night goes by in a flash, and before I know it, I’m being dropped off in front of Beth’s place. With my boots planted firmly on the sidewalk, I take in the narrow, two story townhouse in front of me. Beth didn’t mention a roommate, but this place seems far too big for just one person.
Probably needs a whole room just for her clothes.
I snigger at the thought which gives me the push I need to walk up to the door and knock. I’m greeted with a pearly white smile and an excited squeal.
I grin as her mouth shoots off at its familiar high speeds. “You made it. Not to say I didn’t think you were going to come, but you know. . . after everything that happened at dinner the other night, I wouldn’t have blamed you. Oh, watch your foot, don’t step on Chuck, that’s my sweet kitty cat. Isn’t he so cute? Oh, super excited you are coming out with us to celebrate. I found the perfect dress for you too, it might be a little tight around the ass but that’s half the fun.” I allow her to drag me around her home for a small tour as she chatters.
It’s funny how I used to harass her for talking so much, now her happy babble is music to my ears. I’m grateful she hasn’t let anything dull her shine. Just being around her causes some of my bottled-up anxiety to wash away.
We get Chinese food delivered for lunch and I moan with each bite. “This is orgasmic.” I rub my stomach and sink back into her plush couch. She agrees with a slow nod as she licks sweet and sour sauce off her fingers.
“Where’s your bathroom at again? I gotta pee.” After quick directions, I walk up the narrow stairs and stop at the first door on the right.
I glance at the small hamper by the door, a pair of boxers hang over the side.
Well that’s fucking weird. Maybe.
The door swings open and I jump. Beth never mentioned having someone else over. What the hell? A wall of steam escapes the bathroom, and a dripping wet Andrew steps out. With a small towel wrapped around his waist, every inch of his glistening upper body is on full display.
My jaw drops.
His eyes widen in surprise.
My breath catches when he loses his grip on the towel and it drops low on his hips. I snap my eyes up to his, refusing to be caught staring at his rippling muscles and deep cuts that form a seductive V. Never have I been more thankful that I don’t have a dick, ‘cause that little guy would be at full attention.
The surprise on his face is replaced with a scowl. “What the hell are you doing here?” he asks between clenched teeth.
“I—well, no I, wait. . . you live here?” I stumble through my words, heat shooting up my neck in embarrassment.
God, are you listening? Just kill me now, please and thank you.
His eyes flash with anger. “Of course I live here.” He takes a threatening step forward. “And I don’t give a shit why you’re here, or what my sister is up to. This is unacceptable. You need to pack your shit and return to whatever cave you crawled out of.” Knocking past my shoulder, he storms down the hall and out of sight.
Rushing into the bathroom, I shut the door behind me and lean back against the cool wood. My heart rattles against my ribs, so I take several deep breaths to steady it. I squeeze my eyes shut and bang my head back against the door in frustration.
I tried. I really tried, but I just can’t fucking do this. It hurts too much to see the rage in his eyes, to know I did that to him. He’s right, I need to get the fuck out of Alder Grove as soon as possible. I’m gonna call Chase to come and get me. I hope Beth will find it in her heart to understand.
Enough is enough.
After relieving myself, I wash up and examine my pale reflection in the mirror. I look like someone just told me I have only days to live; hollow eyes and thin drawn lips.
Is this the pathetic creature I’ve been resorted to? Am I just giving up?
No.
Fuck that.
Maybe I don’t deserve his forgiveness, or his kindness, but I can’t keep going like this. He doesn’t have to like me, but he can’t treat me like gum on the bottom of his shoe. I won’t tolerate it any longer. I’m back, and he’s going to have to get used to it.
Straightening, I fling open the bathroom door and saunter down the stairs with purpose. I seem to be interrupting a rather heated conversation between the twins when I walk back into the living room.
Beth grabs onto Andrew’s arm when he steps forward with a sneer. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
Ignoring him, I plop down on the couch and start sifting through the box of nail polish. “Blossom, what do you think about this color?” She shoots her brother a nervous look, but nods her approval.
Muttering a symphony of swear words, he stomps out of the room.
Once I hear a door slam, I round on her. “He lives with you?” I screech.
Guilt scrawls across her features. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. I thought if I could get you guys together again, he would realize he’s being an idiot and want to apologize. . .”
I put up my hand for her to stop. “It’s fine, I know your heart was in the right place, just. . . please stop trying to help.”
She crosses an X over her heart. “Promise, no more meddling.”
For the next few hours we take turns painting each other’s nails while chatting and listening to music. Taking a stand, even a small one, does wonders for my attitude. I smile and laugh with Blossom as my insecurities dissipate.
I made a mistake four years ago, a colossal mistake, but that doesn’t mean he gets a pass to treat me like shit. I’ll be damned if he’s going to scare me away from Beth with a few nasty words and dirty glances.
Beth gets up to nuke some popcorn, and I flip through movies on Netflix. I flick my head up when the stairs creak and Andrew enters the kitchen. His mouth twitches when he sees I’m still here. He says nothing as he pulls out some leftovers from the fridge and sets them on the counter.
“We’re about to watch a movie, why don’t you join us?” Beth chirps over her shoulder.
I watch from the corner of my eye as he shakes his head no. Her voice drops to a whisper, but I can still make out her soft words, “You owe me, bro, I’m calling it in.”
“This is seriously how you want to waste your favor?” he asks.
She smiles and grabs the popcorn, leaving him to use the microwave.
Laying out a blanket and a bunch of pillows, we stretch out on our stomachs with the bowl of popcorn between us. The movie starts, and five minutes later, through the reflection of the TV screen, I watch Andrew drop onto the couch with a plate of food. Every time the movie gets dark, I observe him in the reflection. At first, his eyes remain trained on the movie, but soon they drop to where I’m lying.
Without taking a second to consider my motives, I wiggle as if trying to get comfortable. My top slides up so a little skin shows, and he gets a front row view to the skin-tight leggings that hug my ass. Sure enough, his eyes become glued to my lower half. Unable to control myself, I whip my head around to catch him staring. His guilty eyes snap to mine and with a hard swallow, he realizes he’s been caught checking out the enemy.
I smirk and flip my hair before returning to the movie. It’s juvenile, but having the upper hand for even a second, feels damn good. I stop checking for his reflection and return my attention to the action-packed movie. Halfway through the movie, there’s quiet snoring from my left. Beth is drooling. Her arms wrapped around her fat tabby, Chuck. I grin, and without thinking, turn to Andrew to laugh with him, but he’s gone. Probably for the best, considering he would have ignored me anyway.
You don’t laugh with the girl who broke your heart.
Throwing a blanket over Beth, I switch off the movie and gather my things. After texting Chase to pick me up, I slip out the door and lean against a column in the front yard. Without the porch light on, I’m doused in darkness. It feels good. . . freeing, like I’m invisible to the world.
The sound of a twig snapping to my left causes me to whirl around. Andrew staggers from around the corner of the house, a beer bottle in hand.
Setting my shoulders back, I go on the defense. “Look, I’m leaving okay? I had no clue you lived here, and I’ll make sure when I want to see your sister, it will be somewhere else. I will stay away and do my best to make sure you never have to see me, okay?”
Instead of responding, he continues walking toward me, coming to a stop when he’s in front of me. His green eyes search mine, and for the first time since I’ve been back, there’s no anger in them, no hatred, just an ocean of sadness.
I suck air between my teeth when he reaches for my face, caressing along the edge of my jaw with the back of his hand. My mouth opens to say something, anything, but his thumb moves to my lips and presses against them.
“No, it’s not okay,” he says roughly.
Then he’s gone, leaving me alone with my reeling thoughts.
A faint glimmer of hope flickers deep within my soul that maybe, just maybe, there’s a part of Andrew Blackwell that still loves me after all.