Page 98 of Firestorm
Obviously, part of me was still crying out into the void, hoping he’d change his mind and come back to me, but if he hadn’t rejected me that day inside his office, my relationship with Aiden wouldn’t have changed the way it did.
Aiden followed me all over campus. He was always waiting for me before meals, or outside the dormitory when I got back late. Willow had stayed in Mia’s room overnight a few times to give Aiden and I time alone, though nothing sexual had happened between us like that first night. But I didn’t mind.
When Aiden slept in bed with me, he was wrapped around me like he was scared I’d disappear. Although he seemed to be speaking less than before, he was also more relaxed and confident. He was no longer hiding behind flirty smiles and cocky stances, and that seemed huge. And…he was sober. Aiden hadn’t taken any drugs or drank anything since that awful party.
The more time I spent with him, the more I realized something that unsettledme.
I liked Aiden. A lot. More thanlikedhim, maybe.
So much so, that I found myself in the lobby of the Health clinic, waiting to have my blood redrawn for my Link-testing.
I was sure of my feelings for Aiden, but Willow’s story about Wyatt had set me on edge. What if Aiden wasn’t one of my Links, and I left him as soon as the others appeared? I told myself that would never happen, but…how could I know?
Part of my heart was broken for young Wyatt. It must have been hard growing up with the love of only one parent while you watched the other spoil your sibling. But the other part of me wanted to strangle him. I didn’t know exactly what he was afraid of, but it was clear to see his fear had only driven him to act exactly like his father.
I couldn’t talk to Willow about it, either. She’d answered all my questions without complaint, but I could see the pain in her eyes. I’d imagine knowing her dad was so good to her while being so shitty to his other kid would be a lot to accept.
Not that I had any idea what that was like. My parents loved Zephyr and I equally, even if Levi was clearly Zephyr’s dad and Ben was clearly mine. Zephyr never questioned how Ben felt about him, and I never questioned how Levi felt about me, except for–
“Ms. Aria?” A younger Black woman clad in scrubs appeared in the doorway leading back to the exam rooms.
I gulped as I stood, offering her a shaky smile in return. I followed her down the hall to the phlebotomy room.
“I’m Dani,” she said, “I’ll be doing your blood draw today.”
“I really hate needles, Dani.” I said quietly, feeling the spike of my blood pressure when the sharp, musty smell of rubbing alcohol hit my nose. I’d been panicking the last several days in preparation for this blood draw, but now that it was about to happen…
“That’s alright, Skye.” Dani replied gently. “Just look away and take deep breaths. You ever pass out?”
“No,” I mumbled. “I just get really freaked out.”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about with me, suge.”
Dani continued talking to me, asking about my day, telling me about hers, telling me she had a hair appointment to have some braids put in for her upcoming vacation.
I eyed the honey-toned coiled curls in the poof at the top of her head and smiled to myself. Her coils were similar to Zephyr’s.
Only in the last few years had he started a haircare routine. It was far more extensive than mine, but my hair only hung straight with a slight bend. I didn’t even need to blow dry it to make it look nice, the salty ocean air styled it for me.
Thinking it over made me realize how much I missed his countless hair products taking up the vanity space around the bathroom sink. Willow’s hot pink skincare products just didn’t feel the same.
“I used to do cornrows on my brother’s hair,” I said softly.
“Is that right?” Dani sounded surprised.
“Yeah. I wasn’t very good, but he can’t braid at all, so he was always happy.” I devolved into a whisper to avoid my voice cracking. Dani either didn’t notice, or politely ignored the tears welling in my eyes.
I really missed my brother.
“Alright, girlie, you’re all done.”
I blinked, whipping my head back to her and looking down at my bandaged arm.
“Holy shit. That was so fast.”
Dani chuckled. “I know. It was all my chatting that kept you busy. These results will be ready in about an hour. Do you want to wait for them or have me forward it to you and your counselor?”
I paused.
