Page 29 of Dark Romeo

He shook his head, his lip curling. “I can’t stay here.”

“Why not?”

“I just can’t.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “And I can’t leave.”

He let go of me and stepped back, the cold air rushing in between us like a jolt of reality.

“It was a stupid idea anyway.”

“Roman, please…” I pleaded. I hated that he was angry at me. I hated that we were saying goodbye like this.

His phone beeped. “My ride is here.” Roman slipped it into his pocket and grabbed his duffel bag. He turned to walk out.

“Please don’t leave angry with me,” I said, quietly.

He froze. He glanced over his shoulder and his gaze caught mine. I could see it, the sadness and regret underneath the anger. The same things that were burning inside of me.

For a second I thought he might turn around and walk across the room towards me, closing the distance like I desperately wanted him to do.

“The room has been paid for until tomorrow,” he said.

Then he was gone.

No goodbyes.

No last kiss.

Just gone.

ROMAN

____________

I threw myself into the passenger side and slammed Mercutio’s car door, my duffel dropped at my feet. Weird emotions swirled around inside me. I hated myself for walking out on Julianna the way I did, as if she had meant nothing. But I knew, if I had crossed that room to kiss her one last time the way I’d wanted to, I’d never fucking leave. And I had to leave.

I could feel Mercutio staring at me. He still hadn’t pulled away from the curb. I glared at him. “What?” I snapped.

He snorted. “Hello to you, too, motherfucker. Thanks for making your excuses to everyone last night. You’re the fucking best for picking me up and taking me to the airport.”

I slumped into my seat. “Sorry, Merc,” I said, my voice soft and genuine.

He made a grunting sound and I knew it was his way of accepting my apology. “You look like shit.”

That was him telling me we were okay. “Thanks.”

He pulled away from the curb and into traffic. I sat in silence. I could feel his eyes glancing over to me every few seconds. “Who was she anyway?”

I shook my head. “The girl of my dreams, Merc. The girl of my fucking dreams.”

“Seriously?”

“She makes me laugh, she’s so fucking easy to talk to. And the sex…”

“TMI, bro. I don’t need to know.”

“Jesus fucking Christ, Merc.” I let out a growl. “Every woman before her and after her is going to pale in comparison.”

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