Page 24 of Ink & Stardust

“I was there. And it’s totally fine. It seemed like you had a lot of fun.”

“Fuck. I messed up bad, huh?”

My expression must give me away.

“Well...” I hesitate, not sure if I should even say anything. “You did kind of hook up with a girl on the futon in front of everyone.”

His face pales.

“I didn’t?”

I nod.

“Shit, Lyric. I’m so sorry. I can’t even make an excuse that would justify that kind of behavior because there is none.”

“It’s fine, really. We’re friends. Not a big deal.”

“Friends...” he repeats the word like it tastes bad on his tongue.

“I really should get to class,” I tell him, ready to escape this conversation like three minutes ago when it started.

“Yeah, okay.” He takes a step back, failing to mask his disappointment, which does make me feel mildly guilty.

I mean, I really did like Owen at first, but I’m really not interested in dating someone who gets so drunk they don’t even know who they’re hooking up with. I’m not about that life. And honestly, after his behavior at the party and then the stuff with Kai, I think I’m better off just focusing on school right now.

“I’ll see you around.” I throw up a little wave before walking away.

“Yeah, see you around,” he calls after me.

I make it to class a few minutes early, so after dropping off my stuff, I decide to head down to the vending machines to grab a drink and a quick snack. I was so busy trying to finish my English paper earlier that I never got the chance to eat lunch. But I got it done and turned it in on time, so the sacrifice was worth it. But that still doesn’t change the fact that now I’m starving.

“I don’t give a fuck what she told you.”

I freeze at the sound of theveryangry voice coming out of the classroom on my right.

“It’s your job to make sure she takes the fucking medication. Or do I need to find someone else who can actually do what they’re being paid for?”

Kai?

My heart rate instantly kicks up in speed, like it always does whenever he’s near. Or when I think about him. Or when I dream about him. It’s like I’m a junkie and he’s a drug. I know I shouldn’t touch it, but damn if every bone in my body isn’t telling me to do just that.

“No, you listen to me. I pay you to take care of her. If you can’t do that, I’ll find someone else who can. Now give her the fucking medication and you better make damn sure she takes it.”

Deciding this is not something I should be eavesdropping on as it seems incredibly personal, I move to sneak past the classroom, but as soon as I start walking again, something whizzes in front of my face, damn near taking my nose off as it slams into the wall beside me, little pieces skidding across the floor.

My heart slams against my ribs as I look down at the phone now lying at my feet, the screen completely shattered. Another inch and it would have hit me right on the side of the head.

“Lyric?”

My wide eyes go to Kai, who looks about a hundred shades of green.

“Fuck. Are you okay?”

It’s been five days since I’ve seen him and God, if he doesn’t look even more beautiful today than the last time. Angry but beautiful.

Get. It. Together. Lyric. We don’t like this guy, remember? Bad news...

“It didn’t hit me,” I say, just in case it wasn’t obvious.

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