Page 87 of Through You
Daniel: I just dropped off my drunk sister at home, and I’m heading to meet some friends at a bar. Why?
Me: I want to see you.
Daniel: Really? I admit, this is a surprise.
Me: I enjoy surprising you.
Daniel: Oh yeah? Do you want me to pick you up?
Me: If you want.
Daniel: Want? With you? Always.
Me: Great. It’s a plan.
Daniel: I’ll pick you up in 20 minutes, babe.
Me: Perfect.
I take a quick shower then put my purple dress back on but make sure to wear sexy lingerie underneath. Every time Artemis pops into my head, I push him out. Instead, I picture him fucking his fiancé, so that he won’t spoil my one night of great sex. I head out of my room dressed and made up, looking for a drink of water before I leave. I nearly have a heart attack when I’m startled by Artemis sitting in the dark, like a ghost, at the kitchen table.
“Shit!” I blurt, putting a hand to my chest.
I don’t want to deal with him, so I turn around and go to the living room. I hear his footsteps right behind me.
“Claudia, wait.” He grabs me by the arm but I slap his hand off me.
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
“I’m really sorry, I’m a jerk. I don’t know what came over me.
I—”
“Stop.” I raise my hand. “Save your apologies. I don’t want to talk to you, Artemis.”
“Please forgive me. I lost control. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“What do I have to do to get you to leave me alone?” I ask, not hiding the anger in my voice. “Let me be in peace.”
“I’m sorry,” he mutters, hanging his head.
If it wasn’t for my raging anger, I would accept his apology.
“Whatever. Just go to sleep.”
“Where are you going at this hour?”
I ignore him and walk to the main door. He moves to stand in my way, forcing me to take a step back.
“Let me through, Artemis.”
“Where are you going?”
My phone rings in my hand, and he watches me intently when I answer.
“I’m outside,” Daniel says.
“I’ll be right out, just give me a minute.”
