Page 54 of Through You
“Because I know you, and you would never get involved with a girl who is anything like your mother. Also, I’ve observed Raquel, and her openness and honesty impress me. And I bet those were the qualities that attracted you to her.”
Ares looks mad, which is what often happens when he doesn’t have a counterargument.
“You’re encouraging this. You . . .” I can already see he’s looking for a way to hurt me. It’s his go-to defense mechanism when he feels cornered. “You, who’s stuck taking care of her mother—someone who put you through hell when you were a kid. You’re telling me that love isn’t a weakness?”
“What my mother did, all the mistakes and bad decisions she made, all the terrible things she put me through—that is her burden, not mine.” I pause. “If I were to let that define the person I am, then I make the choice to carry that myself, and that’s my guilt to endure.”
Ares is speechless.
“Go see her, Ares,” I repeat. “Needing her doesn’t make you weak. On the contrary, admitting that you need someone is the greatest proof of courage. So, go on—find her.”
I watch him hesitate for a moment. Eventually he stands up and leaves his room.
He’s a good guy.
Sixteen
To hell with the bro code?
ARTEMIS
I can’t stop thinking about Claudia’s face, and the way she looked.
Her face was flushed and she was panting. It reminds me of the night when I kissed and touched her.
I watch her run up the stairs as if she’s running away from someone other than me. I’m intrigued when I see a blushing Apolo appear from the same hallway she came from.
“What’s going on?”
Apolo walks past me and avoids making eye contact. His shirt is wrinkled around the chest area, as if someone had a tight grip on it. I give him an eye roll.
What are those two up to?
And how is that any of your business, Artemis? You pushedher away.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that I’m okay with her being with someone else. Especially not one of my brothers. Even though I need to let her go, why am I still so possessive? Why do I think of her as mine?
Because you are a selfish idiot.
I had another tough day at work. After spending a few days at the hospital, I returned to the office to catch up on a pile of work.
I barely made it home tonight to get some rest. I walk up to my bedroom and have a shower. The hot water falls on my skin and the steam fills up the stall. My wet hair covers my face and I press my fist against the wall. Every time I close my eyes, I’m tormented by the memory of that afternoon in my office and the wounded look on Claudia’s face.
She didn’t deserve that. She’s been so good to Ares and Apolo.
I recall the night we were on our way to the hospital and how supportive she was to both of them in the car. She’s a kind woman, and I needlessly caused her pain by not explaining what she witnessed with Cristina. And what did I accomplish by that? By confusing her? I’m not even sure how to best explain my situation.
Regardless, the facts remain the same. We can’t be together.
Well, not for the time being. I rub my face and turn off the water.
After I put on more comfortable clothes, I stare at the door.
Don’t go looking for her, Artemis.
I clench my jaw and throw the towel to one side before I leave my room. I find her in the kitchen, wiping down the table, leaving it shiny and spotless. Her expression hardens the moment she looks up and sees me. She throws the rag into the sink and turns to leave.
“Claudia.” She doesn’t stop. When she tries to walk past me, I grab her by the arm and spin her to face me. “I’m speaking to you.”
