Page 87 of Devilry

An odd sense of discomfort and sadness washes over me as I take in the weight of her words. For the first time in a long time, I could see myself getting excited about a birthday, but having to split myself between Cole, and Aiden and Callie sounds exhausting. In a perfect world I’d be able to celebrate my birthday with all of them.

“I’m glad that’s all sorted,” Callie announces. “How about a shot?”

Just as she finishes pouring the gold liquid into the shooter, Aiden’s phone pings. Naturally, both Callie and I turn to look at him.

Before he’s even finished reading the text, he’s jumping out of the chair and heading to his room.

“Where are you going?” Callie shouts.

“It’s an emergency,” he supplies, stepping back into the common room and slipping into a black jacket.

“But.” She holds up the shot glass as explanation.

“I know, and I wouldn’t go if it wasn’t an emergency.”

In response, Callie tosses down the drink and sinks into the couch, undeniably disappointed. Once again, I feel totally out of the loop with these two.

“What’s his deal?” I ask.

She grabs the second shot and drains the glass. “I think he’s seeing someone.”

“And you’re not okay with that,” I state. She reaches over for the third glass and I stop her. “Don’t. It won’t make you feel any better.”

“I need to get over him,” she says, wiping at her eyes.

I wrap an arm around her and squeeze her close to my side. It breaks my heart to know she loves him and he’s too busy to notice. For all intents and purposes, they are the ideal couple. They know everything about each other. They’re sexually compatible, and if it wasn’t for this huge secret between them, they wouldn’t have to hide a single thing from one another.

“Have you considered telling him how you feel?”

“So he can reject me?”

Surprised that the possibility of ruining their friendship isn’t her initial deterrent, I encourage her to find the answers she so desperately needs.

“Don’t you think he deserves to know? Or at the very least thatyoudeserve to know?”

“Since when are you Mr. Take Life by the Balls, consequences be damned?”

A loud laugh erupts from my mouth. If only she knew. “Some things are worth the risk.”

She shifts in my arms and tilts her head up at me. “Elijah Williams, what are you hiding from me?”

God, I wish I could tell her.

“There’s nothing to tell. I’m just speaking from experience. It took a lot for me to get here, and get the outcome I wanted… the freedom of finally living the way I want to. I would endure all that, knowing it would lead me here, every time.”

She nestles her head in the crook of my neck. “I know you don’t talk about your life before King, but for what it’s worth, I admire your strength. You are so much more than you give yourself credit for.”

A little lump forms in my throat, the gratitude lodged inside my chest. I squeeze her a little tighter and hope she knows just how much those words mean to me.

“Do you care if I go home?” she asks. “I don’t want to be here when Aiden gets back.”

“I can understand that feeling.” I move my arm off her shoulders. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

“Unfortunately, I’ve done this before. I just need a hot shower and a good night’s sleep.”

“You know I’m here if you need anything, right?”

She rises off the couch and then bends down to kiss my forehead. “Bye, Eli.”

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