Page 40 of The Pact

“Then why do you still want me? Go find someone better,” I challenge.

Gavin scoffs. “I spent twelve years getting you right where I wanted you. I’m not starting over. We’ll do this the easy way or the hard way. The choice is up to you.” Determination sets in those gray-green eyes. I’m about to throw an insult at him when I hear footsteps.

“Thea?” Sutton calls out.

It takes all of my strength to not let the shakiness I feel to touch my voice. “Up here, second floor. Towards the back.” Gavin’s hand quickly releases me as he steps away, although it does little to free me.

Glancing down at my wrist, I notice red is blooming over my skin. I tuck my injury behind my back as Sutton’s face appears.

“Everything good here?” Gavin turns to answer until he realizes who it is.

To say that Sutton was never a source of conflict in our relationship would be a lie. I remember many nights refuting Gavin’s claims that there was anything more between us than friendship. Hours spent assuring him that Sutton’s intentions were pure until finally promising that I would distance myself from my closest friend.

Now, here they are—face to face. The last thing I want is to cause Sutton trouble in his store.

“Jesus. This guy again,” Gavin spats at me, peering over his shoulder and giving me a look of disgust.

Sutton stares at me, confused, over Gavin’s shoulder. He doesn’t know about the issues early in our relationship or that my ex is the reason I never made more of an effort to keep in touch.

“Good to see you too, Gavin.” It’s so slight that I may have missed it if I wasn’t hyperaware of everything right now. Sutton’s stance straightens, his fists tightening at his side, and a tick of the muscle in his jaw. He’s bracing himself for whatever Gavin might throw at him. I’ve never seen Sutton as intimidating, but right now I’m seeing how he can go from easy going to fuck around and find out. “Thea?”

“Gavin was just leaving. Weren’t you?” Gavin half turns, assessing me and the situation. Realizing that he isn’t getting anywhere today, he pushes past Sutton.

“This isn’t over,” he calls out as he walks away.

Sutton closes the distance between us, his hand resting against my cheek. “Are you alright? You’re flushed.” His lavender and sandalwood scent comforts me more than he knows.

“I’m okay, a little flustered. I wasn’t expecting him here.” His amber eyes search mine. I know he’s looking to see if my words match the truth in my eyes. He doesn’t push it, although I have a feeling he knows I’m lying.

“He must have slipped past me when I was grabbing something in the back. How long has he been in town? Does Cole know?” I’m shocked by the questions. I was sure Damian would have told him and the others. Maybe he told Cole, but not Sutton. Or maybe Damian kept it to himself. Perhaps they didn’t share as much with each other as they thought they did.

My eyes dart away. “I-um…No, I haven’t told Cole. I don’t want him to worry.” It’s kind of the truth. I feel horrible about the lies I’m weaving around Gavin. We aren’t even together and he’s still screwing up my life.

Sutton doesn’t push the issue. Instead, he helps me choose a book for my father and offers to get Wesley to escort me home. I decline. That seems worse than dealing with Gavin somehow. I probably should have taken him up on the offer, but I need to contain this—at least until I can tell Cole.

I’m glancing in every direction as I head towards my apartment, searching for Gavin. It’s apparent that he’s been watching me, waiting to get me alone. It sends a shiver of fear through me.

It’s been a shit day, so when I see Cassie standing outside my apartment door, I immediately feel a rush of panic. Did something happen at the studio? A fight with Anthony?

“What wrong?” She hears the anxiousness in my voice and shakes her head.

“Relax. Nothing happened. I can’t find my phone and wanted to know if you’ve seen it. Did I leave it at Cole’s? Also, we need to decide on a property.” I breathe out in relief. “What’s got you on edge?”

I debate on whether I should tell her. Knowing Cass, she’ll have a list of ways to get him out of my hair. She’s a problem solver. But I don’t want to stress her out. He’s already made an appearance at the studio. So, I settle on a half truth.

“I was picking up a book from Sutton’s store and Gavin was there. He tried to convince me to give him another chance, again.” Her eyes narrow and mouth purses at the revelation. “Don’t worry, Sutton was there to kick his ass out.” I don’t tell her about him grabbing my wrist. Thankfully, the redness has faded, yet I can feel the ache, knowing in a day or two it’ll bruise. I’ll have to think of an excuse when that time comes.

“How did he know you were at the bookstore?” She answers her own question, mirroring my earlier thought. “Is he following you?” I shrug, not wanting to dwell on that thought for too long.

Diverting the conversation, I address her reason for coming to my apartment. “I haven’t seen your phone. I can ask Cole if any of them have seen it. Did you try Find My Phone?”

Cassie nods. “That and I called it. Goes straight to voicemail so it must be off or dead. Although it was almost fully charged last night. It shouldn’t be dead already.”

“I’ll ask Cole,” I offer, as my fingers type out the message to him. “Come in. We can wait for him to answer.”

Cass sits at my small dining room table and pulls the property paperwork from her purse. Spreading them out, we go over the pros and cons once more, per her request. Thankfully, we both agree that one property is a much better fit. “So that settles it. We can go see it one more time and then we’ll put an offer in!” Her freshly highlighted hair sways back and forth as she smiles widely.

A wave of nervousness washes over me. It’s the same one I felt the day I moved to Willow Hill. I was so unsure of what this new chapter would look like. Looking back now, I can’t imagine my future any other way. I tell myself this will be the same. We’re making our dreams come true. I just need to have a little faith.

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