Page 187 of The Surprise Play
He might not want you after last night.
Hide. Just hide away. It’s safer.
“But it’s lonely,” I argue. “And I deserve to be happy.” My voice breaks when I repeat my mother’s words.
Everybody deserves a little happiness, don’t they?
Why should I be the exception?
Holding my breath, I fling the door open and march into the corridor, heading for the elevators at a fast clip and willing myself to keep moving forward, no matter what awaits me on the outside.
CHAPTER 57
ELIZABETH
I decide not to Uber and end up walking to Wily’s place. It’s dangerous—I could bump into anyone. But it gives me the chance to down a coffee, clear my head, and figure out what I want to say to him.
My mother told me what I needed to hear, and maybe there’s a lot of truth to it, but she is my mother. And I guess I need to hear what Wilyreallythinks with no sweet sentiments or bullshit attached.
I need him to look me in the eye and tell it to me straight, even if it hurts.
Because I want to be able to trust him, and I can’t do that if I think he’s lying to me. Just being sweet to make me feel better but not actually meaning it.
Throwing the empty coffee cup away at the park closest to Wily’s house, I turn down his street and feel my steps slow.
My body gets stiff and awkward as I keep forcing myself forward.
Somehow, I make it, climbing up those front steps and trying not to relive the torment of last night.
Sucking in a breath, I curl my fingers and lightly knock on the door. Thankfully, it doesn’t take too long for someone to answer it, and I’m soon staring up at Carson’s standard scowl and messy mop of hair.
The second he spots me, his expression lightens, but he doesn’t get a chance to say anything, because Nylah ducks under his arm and pulls me into a hug.
“Oh, thank God!” She squeezes me tight. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
I pat her back, my cheeks heating to boiling as I try to step out of the embrace. She finally lets me go, her eyes shining with excitement. “He’s upstairs.”
Jumping out of my way, I walk between the couple, kicking off my boots in the entrance while they gaze at me. Nylah’s still smiling while Carson’s eyebrows wrinkle with worry.
“You okay?” His voice is gruff and has a morning croak to it.
Those two words are asking so much. After what happened here last night, they’re askingtoomuch.
So I quickly nod—my standard reply—before stashing my boots as a neat pair and darting for the staircase. I will myself not to turn back when I hear them whispering.
They’re talking about me. I know they are.
That familiar itch starts to spread across my stomach until I make myself acknowledge that Nylah just bounded out of the house to hug me. She’s excited that I’m here.
Happy.
To see me.
Reaching the landing, I stop for a second and really soak that in.
Nylah’s happy that I’m here.
It’s like I’m only just noticing it for the first time. The people in this house don’t mind having me around. I’m not a plague or a menace. I’m not as annoying as a mosquito bite. They put on a party. For me. Went to all that effort. And they wouldn’t have done that for someone who they wished didn’t exist.
