Page 40 of Sprite Wedding
“I trust you. Of course, I do,” she insisted. “But you can’t blame me for being wary after my past.”
“I’m not your ex.”
“I know that.”
Jealously about him wormed its way into my brain. Before I could prevent them from spilling from my mouth, they burst out. “Maybe things between you and him are unresolved. And you still have feelings for him.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You’re not serious.”
“I am.” Why was I doing this? Although I screamed at myself to shut the hell up, I couldn’t keep it buried any longer. “You had an intense history with him. Youlovedhim. You’re giving me a hard time about Linda, who meant nothing to me, but he meant awholelot to you. He was your first love. Now it looks like he wants you back. I’m sure there’s a part of you that wants the same.”
She stared at me, mouth agape. A guy ran up the stairs two at a time. Why were we having an argument in a busy stairwell?
We returned down the stairs and into a dark corner with slightly more privacy. Zoe crossed her arms and shook her head with adamance. “That is entirely wrong. It’s completely unfair of you to accuse me of that.”
“It’s not an accusation; it’s pointing out a possibility. Now, with you suspecting me of cheating on you,that’san accusation.”
She blinked several times. “I never accused you. And I’ve never seen you like this before.”
“Right, because I’m not the fun-loving guy you met. Is that all I am to you, Zoe—a clown? A temporary diversion?” That’s how everyone thought of me.Sure, Lucas is great for a good time.Nothing more. Nothing serious. Merely entertainment.
Her mouth opened and closed before she asked, “Why are you reacting like this?”
I wasn’t sure, but her suspicion scorched me deep within. The more I dwelled on it, the deeper it probed. Every insecurity clawed its way to my big fat mouth before I could reel it in. “Why wouldn’t I? After all this time, you expect me to cheat on you. Like your ex. Like my father cheated on my mother. It’s in my blood, right?”
“What?” Her eyes bulged wide. “No, of course not.”
Everything inside me hurt. Standing here revealing these things made me feel vulnerable. Too vulnerable.
“I have to go.” I rushed to the exit.
“Where are you going?” She followed me.
“Out for a flight. I need to clear my head.”
“Lucas, don’t go like this.”
She took my arm, but I squirmed out of her hold.
I paused to glance over my shoulder. “Are you going to let your past ruin your future?”
She stared at me with confusion. “I could ask you the same thing.” She tipped her head to the door. “Let’s go outside and talk about this in private.”
“No, I want to be alone.” I avoided looking at her. Before I walked out of the club, I called back, “I’ll find my own way home.”
Scowling, I left the club. Why did she have to go and say that? I shoved my hands in my pockets and stormed down the busy street, oblivious to all the people going about their business around me.
What the hell did she mean about my past ruining my future? She was the one suspicious of me.
Once I reached an alley, I stepped behind a dumpster and removed my clothes, stashing them. Cloaked with magic, I shifted to dragon form and flapped my wings as I ascended into the night sky. The breeze ruffled along my scales, but not enough to cool the heat burning inside.
I soared over Salem and south over the ocean along the nearby coastal towns. As I flew, I thought, everything playing through my head in recent days. Being high in the air allowed me to think without distraction.
I’d never cheated on her. And yet, she suspected me anyway.
Were we doomed because of our pasts? Would she always expect me to cheat on her because of her past? Because of mine?
If so, we didn’t stand a chance. We were doomed.
