Page 41 of Torn Between Two Worlds

“That makes sense. But that's not why I needed you. Do I tell Derrick?” She sounded meek.

“My vote is no, Ci. You're broken up. I know he visited the other day, but he's probably just lonely. If you really feel like you need to tell him, then just text him. You two need to cut the cord sooner or later, anyway.”

Her stomach churned. She didn't want that. She was afraid she would miss him too much. Be too lonely. He'd been a part of her life for so long that she had just hoped she could hold onto him despite the changes. “Ugh, I know that, but can't I be selfish for just a little while longer. He was, and I know who I'm picking, not like I want to keep him around as a safety net anymore.” She hadn't realized she'd said it aloud until G responded.

“Ci, I know you think that, but just humor me. I want you with the right guy, not just a guy, but I don't think you owe Derrick more than a text.”

She nodded even though it wasn't visible. “I guess I'll do it now, G. Thanks.”

“Anytime, Ci. Obviously, let me know how it goes when you text him.”

Disconnecting from her friend, she put her hands over her face and screamed. Two weeks and her world had turned upside down. She'd gone from stable and in love to conflicted and, well, still in love, but with someone else.

If she were anyone else, she would listen to G, and just not do it at all. But she'd been with him for over ten years. And maybe she wanted his opinion. Wanted to know what he thought. Stryder was her mate, she could tell it was real, but would it be so wrong to want someone else to tell her to go for it too?

Yea, you big dummy. When that someone is your ex.

She picked up the phone and called Derrick anyway, completely forgetting about the time. She waited as the phone rang for what seemed like forever before he picked up.

“Hey, darling. How are you?”

She didn't want small talk, she didn't mean to sound curt, but it happened anyway. “Derrick, I wanted to tell you this. Maybe so you heard it from me first. Or maybe so you could assure me it was okay. I don't really know. But I'm seeing someone.”

He was so quiet on the other end, she was afraid that he was mad, and regretted telling him. Not to mention, Gina had said to text him, and she'd called. She was more of an idiot than she realized.

“I kind of thought as much based on your reaction when I was there. I mean, of course, we broke up, but I just kinda thought that it would be cool. I should've known. That really was my mistake. I'm sorry for putting you in that position. I really am.”

He sounded sincere, and she blew out a breath.

“Hey, this sounds crazy, but bear with me. I'd still love to show you around Italy. Why don't you come up before things get serious with this guy? I can sleep on the couch. This way it’s chill, and it happens at a time when he shouldn't be telling you what to do, anyway.”

She blinked. She'd wanted his approval, but why did it feel weird getting it. “Umm… I'm glad you're cool with this, Derrick. I really am. I hate to say this, but I'm glad we broke up and stayed friends. I value your opinion. But are you sure? That seems a little, no, a lot foolish to me.”

“Naw, not at all. Just come for like a weekend. Trips on me because I promised you one. Two to three days and it's nothing. Come on, this relationship with the guy is brand new, Ci.”

She really did want to go to Italy. She knew Stryder was jealous of Derrick, though. Would it be smart? It felt like a few minutes before she decided to do it. Stryder was away, why not have some fun, and then just explain it all to him, so he knew it was nothing? How he could think it meant more, she'd never know. He had to feel what she felt when they kissed.

“Sure. Count me in, Derrick. I'm stressed from the possibility of needing to find a second job to pay rent on this place, anyway. Not that a breakaway wouldn’t be welcome.” She only hoped Stryder would come back from his summons first so he could go with her. She stopped, listening for a moment as she pictured her and Stryder in Italy.

“Woohoo. A buddy that doesn't wear a three-piece suit and isn't sports obsessed. Okay, Ci. Book it for two weeks out, please. I'm finally out scouting next week, I sent you a text, but you never responded. I really am sorry about how it all ended. You know, I can help pay the rent through the lease. We leased it together.”

She wanted to tell him it needed to wait for a little, but she knew where her heart was. If Stryder was still gone, he wouldn't know about the trip until she told him anyway, and she would tell him.

Pulling the phone from her ear, she checked her texts. Sure enough, one had come through while she'd been with Stryder. “That's so awesome! Congrats, Derrick. I've been having a train wreck of an emotional coaster for the last few weeks. I appreciate the offer, but no to paying anything. It was one of the things we decided when we broke up. It's cool. I'll figure it out. But you can pay for everything while we're visiting.” She grinned into the phone even though he couldn't see it.

“Great. I need to go, though. Sorry, it's late here.”

He hung up, and she couldn't help but smile. She'd missed Stryder, and the trip would be the perfect opportunity to take her mind off of it. She'd always wanted to go to Italy. She was a little worried about spending time with Derrick, but it seemed they were so good at being friends that she pushed the worry away.

Sending a quick text to Gina to let her know what was happening as well, and other thanks, she went over to her computer. She'd neglected her writing the past two weeks, and she had a story idea bouncing around in her head. With no one around to distract, she had no excuse not to write.

An impulse took hold in her mind, and she quickly opened a doorway to Stryder's world. She saw his house and was tempted to go through. He said they only took a few days, and he would love seeing her when he came home. Shaking her head, she pushed the idea aside. It was only a few days, and that would have to be fine. She had plenty to keep herself busy. Turning her attention to the computer, she mentally closed the doorway and opened her long abandoned story.

“Please be safe. I only just found you, and chose you.”

Stryder bit back a curse as he landed squarely in the middle of world war fucking three. He wasn't sure yet what part of the world they were in, but it was a city. Small plumes of smoke rose and twisted in the sky like hands grabbing an apple off a tree. The grey-black clouds took over the afternoon sky, and he felt uneasy. The buildings in front of them were burning. Flames licked up to greet the clouds and rubble littered the streets, as did bodies, lifeless and bloody to bruised and dirty.

“Mother fucker.” His hands clenched into fists, and the transition into summoning War was immediate. Turning to his brothers, he saw their transitions as well.

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