Page 24 of His Scarlette Obsession
“Just that.” Because I’m suddenly tired of pretending. Just tired of ignoring the elephant in the room, which has everything to do with my feelings, not his.
“Why are you treating me like I’m the enemy?”
The confrontational edge of his voice makes me flinch, and I start to tell him to just forget it...but catch myself in time.
“I’m sorry if that’s how I’m coming across, but it’s not that, I promise.”
It’s my first time to stand up to him. Of sorts. And I wonder if it’s because of the Lykan Qahiri Syndrome at work again.
“I just want to know what’s there to talk about...since it’s my engagement, not yours.”
A part of me is already expecting him to say something nasty or hang up. But instead, all I hear is silence, and I find myself holding my breath...while hoping and praying that maybe, just maybe, this is finally it.
Please, oh please.
I’m not sure what I’m begging God for.
I just know I need Him right now.
“Because I’m your friend!”
And there it was.
Friend.
He’s always used that word, and I used to tell myself it’s because he’s just the type to be cautious. To really think things through before making a move. But now?
“A friend, huh?”
My voice cracks at the end, and I hear Vaughn swear.
“I’m sorry,” I hear myself say. “I have to go.”
“Wait, Scar—”
I don’t let him finish. I can’t. For the first time in my life, I hang up on Vaughn...because if I let this call continue just one second longer, I have this terrifying feeling I’ll start crying and never stop.
This is Your answer, God.
Isn’t it?
Vaughn is not for me, and while I know I can always trust that God has something better in store...why has no one ever warned me that His plans could sometimes break your heart?
I want to cry and laugh at the same time. I’ve spent years—literally years—hoping Vaughn would see me as more than a friend. Building my entire future around the possibility of us together. And now...
You’re just a friend to him, Scar.
Always was, always would be, and what’s even worse is how he’s always known this, too.
I can’t believe I was so blind, God.
I’ve always known Vaughn isn’t perfect. But it’s only now that I realized how he perfectly selfish he had been all these years, with how he’s enjoyed letting me pine after him...in full view of the entire town.
Was that all I was to him, God?
An ego trip?
A future with Vaughn was all I’ve ever dreamt of. It was like the sun my whole life revolved around. But now that I no longer have that...
