Page 43 of Mastered By Desire

“Argh!” I cover my face with my hands. I want to replay every detail of the night, but each time I go through it, I wind up in the same frustrating place—Dmitri rejecting me and rushing off like the couch was on fire.

I pull up housing and roommate wanted ads. The sooner I can get out of Dmitri’s house, the better. Once I’m gone, we can be friends again.

My phone chimes with a text. I pick it up, see Danica’s name on the screen. My heart sinks when I see the message.

Bitch! How could you?

Oh, shit. I don’t know how she found out. I stall by playing dumb.

How could I what?

Dmitri told me.

I gulp. Hetoldher? Fucking hell, I don’t even know what to say. I’m sorry? But I’m not sorry. Not for what I did. I’m sorry he turned into an asshole afterward. I’m sorry my heart is breaking. Because like I always do, I went ahead and let my heart get invested before there was any proof of concept.

That’s the thing. I think I’m angry, but Ihave to beangry. Because if I’m not pissed off, I’d be so sad I couldn’t move.

I should know better. Did Mick teach me nothing?

I start typing. She’s writing something else, so I stop and wait.

Her words pop up.I can’t believe you’re watching AoG without me. Seriously, I’ve tried to get you to watch it for years, and you go and watch it with my brother????

I slump back against the couch. I thought she found out I slept with Dmitri, not that I was watching that dumb show with him.

Sorry, I write back.I needed something easy and he convinced me.

Will you at least stop before Season 3? That’s when it gets really good and I want to watch it with you.

I promise her that I’ll watch Season Three with her.

The bulk of the day passes in a haze of AoG episodes and apartment searching. I prep some materials for today’s and tomorrow’s tutoring. Then it’s time to head downtown for work.

It’s another cool February day. I get out of my car and put on my coat to walk toward the San Esteban Public Library. The parking lot is less full than usual, but there are still quite a few cars around.

When I get close to the brick building, a familiar figure steps out from behind one of the bulky rectangular columns. Dark gray hoodie with a stain on the left sleeve, oily dark brown hair. His blue eyes look desperate and bloodshot.

“Mick,” I whisper, stopping short. Should I turn around? Run?

“Hey.”

“Are you waiting here for me?” I ask.

He holds up his hands. “Leah, stop freaking out.”

“I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t want to see you. We’re over.”

“I know, but I have to tell you, I didn’t do shit to your car.”

“Sure, whatever.” I move forward. If I can get inside the library, I can ask for help if I need it.

“No, listen.” He reaches out like he’s going to grab me, but I dodge his grasp. He doesn’t even get a grip of my coat sleeve. “Leah, fuck, come on. You sent the fucking cops after me?—”

“You threatened me!”

“I didn’t, would you just?—”

A tall security officer with her blond hair pulled back in a tight bun strides out of the library and marches toward us. “Is there a problem here?”

---