Page 10 of Lost in Life

Realizing I have one hell of a mess to clean up, I get to work erasing any evidence I was there. The last thing I need is for Owen to find out about this. If he does, I won’t just be a man living as a ghost, I’ll be full-blown Casper.

Chapter 5

Nova

Three years later

“That was fun.” Lucas smirks down at me, tucking his dick away into his pants.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes, plastering a fake smile on my face. “Yup, sure was.” I agree, yanking my own pants back up and adjusting my top.

It’s been over three years since the boy I thought would never leave my side abandoned me. I try not to think about West but it’s always harder when my birthday grows closer.

“Hey peanut!”

I look up to find West jogging toward me, a giant smile covering his face. Skidding to a stop, he yanks me into a one-armed hug, his other arm tucked behind his back. “You’re suffocating me.” I choke out with a laugh.

Chuckling, he releases me with a wink. “Sorry, guess I got a little carried away cause it’s, ya know…” He trails off, wiggling his eyebrows.

I try to peek around his body. “Wait, did you get me a birthday present?” I’ve always loved presents. Doesn’t matter if it’s a stick of gum or a stack of hundred dollar bills, if you wrap it and give it to me, I’ll be ecstatic.

“Mayyyyybe.” He chuckles, holding the word out as he counters each of my attempts to circle his body.

Growing impatient, I set my hands on my hips. “Are you gonna give it to me or not?” I huff.

West’s eyes twinkle. “Always so impatient, young grasshopper.” Before I’m able to sock him in the face for the lameass reference, he whips his arm around, revealing a small box.

The rectangular box is wrapped in a mess of ripped paper and tape, parts covered in nearly an inch thick of the paper and other parts clearly visible beneath the clear tape. A grin lifts the corners of my lips at his attempt to gift wrap.

“I hope you like it.” He murmurs, offering me the present.

I beam at him, snatching it from his hand. Tearing off the wrapping paper, I lift the lid and gasp. “West…” My voice trails off as I cautiously run my fingers over the emerald pendant necklace nestled inside the jewelry box. The color of the gem matches my eyes, contrasting beautifully with the gold chain.

“I know it’s kinda lame to get jewelry or whatever.” West shrugs, kicking the ground with his foot.

I place my hand on his arm, forcing his gaze on me. “It’s gorgeous, West. I love it.”

His eyes sparkle at my response. “Yeah? For real?” I nod enthusiastically. “Okay cool.” West returns my smile. “Want some help putting it on?” He offers, his earlier nerves replaced by excitement.

I hand him the box and turn around, lifting my hair away from my neck. Reaching around, West’s arms encircle my body as he slowly brings the chain back around my neck, his fingers brushing against my skin as he secures the clasp. A shiver runs through me at his gentle touch. He lingers briefly before dropping his arms and gesturing for me to turn around.

Turning slowly, I let my hair fall as I raise my other hand to run my finger down the gem. “Look good?” I ask sheepishly, the effects of his touch affecting my usual ability to hold back my feelings.

West keeps his eyes on mine as he murmurs, “Perfect.”

I run my finger down the emerald pendant hanging from my neck, my chest aching at the memory. Shaking myself, I push aside thoughts of West. It’s mytwenty-fourth birthday and I’m going to make it a great one and fuck everyone who left me.

Today is going to be fucking fantastic, even if it kills me.

The heavy bass pounds through the speakers, sending vibrations through my core. Club Vixen is all the rage, and rightfully so. Sporting a large stage for live bands, hot as fuck bartenders, and a spacious dance floor, it’s no wonder the place is packed every night.

I catch a glimpse of myself in the reflective mirror hanging above the bar, my magenta hair shining even brighter under the strobed lights flashing in the dark space. Long gone is the soft, innocent look of a young child who hadn’t come to accept who they were.

In the years since West left, I’ve fully embraced who I am. My hardened heart from losing two of the most important people to me at the same time allowed me to fully cut off the parts still needing others' approval.

“Hey sweet thing.” A deep voice rumbles behind me. I glance back up at the mirror, catching a glimpse of the ruggish man approaching me. Slipping his arms around my waist, the stranger brings his lips close to my ear, speaking just loud enough to hear over the band. “Looking for some company?”

The guy isn’t bad looking, and maybe if he had caught me on a better day I might have gone along with his little game, but today is not that day.

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