Page 26 of Ride

“I met someone.”

“What?” He hiked up his pants that kept falling down from not wearing a belt.

I avoided eye contact. “I’m sorry, but we can’t do this anymore.”

“What are you saying?” Laikin closed the space between us, picked up my hand.

“I met…I think it’s best we see other people. My parents never wanted me to date until I was older and keeping this a secret from them and my brother is too much.”

He shook his head. “Amena, please don't do this to us.”

“The party gave me clarity. I think we’re both young and being too serious.”

His nose wrinkled in confusion. “All this time, you’ve been seeing someone else? Is that what you’re saying?”

“You need to leave.”

“Amena, talk to me baby.”

I grabbed my suitcase and phone. I felt the vibration of Virgil’s text thread. He was outside, waiting. My parents weren’t home for the weekend, and Brett was staying at his girlfriend's house. I marched downstairs and paused at the front door, turned the knob, released a long-held breath.

Laikin grasped my hand tight. I glanced over my shoulder, back to opened front door to see Virgil’s blacked-out Mercedes. He was in the process of following in his father’s political footsteps. He was older than me at twenty-eight, and I admired how he was going after what he wanted.

“Laikin, I promise to call when I get settled.” I strolled out of the house, as Laikin trailed behind me outside.

“Who the fuck is that in the car?” Laikin released my hand and marched down the steps. I ran to jump in front of him.

“Amena, we have to go.” Virgil stepped out of his car, smirking at Laikin.

“Who are you?” Laikin balled up his fists.

“Nobody. We need to go, Virgil.” I tossed my bags into the backseat and climbed into the car.

He started the engine. “She’s my fiancée.” Virgil pulled away from my house, and I looked back through the mirror, seeing Laikin’s heart sink, triggering a bitter knot of pain in my chest.

Ever since that day I’d left the memories of us in the past and avoided asking Brett about Laikin. Until the last year or two after I learned about his new career and loved how much he’d become what he set out to be.

The weekend I left home, my parents blew up my phone, but I was over eighteen and could do as I pleased. In the beginning, being with Virgil felt like a dream. He introduced me to his parents, we traveled, and he proposed right after. I started looking at schools to get my degree in fashion.

Over time, I learned his true intentions, then I grew distant and planned my escape.

* * *

As soon as we finished dinner and cleaned up, I took Kayne home to rest on the air mattress, tucking him in. I wandered into the empty living room filled with boxes and scattered clothes. Laikin’s tall figure leaned against the front door, both hands in his pockets. His heated dark brown eyes clashed with mine, and I released a sigh, ready to hear his thoughts on Virgil.

Too many emotions swirled within my head. “Say it.” I battled with wanting to fight or take flight.

His nostrils flared, his deep scowl disappeared, and he stepped away from the door. Laikin knew his presence sent a tingle up my spine. “Place your anger at the right person, Amena.”

“My anger? Laikin, I am not doing this with you.” I headed back to my room to shower, and he captured my arm, pulling me back.

“Do like you always do and walk away from me.” The harsh growl in his voice, I knew deep down, came from hurt.

In response to his grip, I pulled away. “Virgil was a mistake, but my son is not.”

“Tell me why you walked away from me.”

“Because—” My breath hitched, my stomach dropping in panic.

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