Page 8 of Patiently Yours
I panic seeing that grin. It’s been constant since we started talking, and I feel bad that I can’t return them as easily as I may have used to.
“Could you maybe get me some water?” I ask, cringing at myself for the strange request. But he only nods, happy to oblige.
“Of course. I’ll be right back.” He turns to head inside of whatever house is having this party. I see the Greek letters and realize this must be a frat house, but I can’t distinguish them.
My stomach turns to knots. Shit, he’s going to hate me after this.
I swallow heavily before I turn to walk out of the backyard and to the street. My car is there and I open my app to ask the driver’s name. When I’ve confirmed it’s the right car, I crawl in.
I see a figure appear around the corner of the house, water bottle in hand. My car takes off down the street before I can see his betrayed expression. There’s a slight ache sitting where my heart is, but I tell myself it’s better this way. He has a pack and I’m not destined for one. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t break my heart. And my omega’s.
I makeit home with only a few minutes to spare. I’m starting to feel the tingling sensation that’ll spread throughout my body for the next twelve hours. I lock the front door and make my way through the house quietly. I give a sigh of relief when I see Rory’s bedroom door is pulled shut.
I lie on my bed and focus on my breathing. The chirping in my pocket zaps me back into my body. I fish it out and look at the screen with half-focus.
Shit, when did I get so many text messages?
I realize they’re all from Derek. When I open the text chain and the texts come into focus, my stomach drops.
(10:03 pm) Derek: Where are you?
(10:34 pm) Derek: Are we seriously doing this today? I lost a game and I want to see you.
(11:13 pm) Derek: Oh, I see. You can ignore me but you’re sitting around doing god knows what at the party at MY frat house?
(11:15 pm) Derek: That’s not very lady-like, Stacia. Do you even know those people you’re sitting with?
(11:21 pm) Derek: Ignoring me for that low-life beta? Fine. I see how it is. I’ll find another pretty omega to warm my bed tonight.
(11:35 pm) Derek: [Image Attached]
I feel hot tears threatening to overflow. I stare at the picture of my—now ex again—boyfriend explicitly fucking another girl.She’s on her back, her head thrown back. I feel bile come up my throat at the image, not only because of the blatant disrespect but because there’s no telling if this girl even consented to being photographed like this.
The image starts to distort as the drug in my system settles in. The movement makes me panic. I almost forgot about the trip, and now my phone is becoming a sea of insecurity. I hear it thud to the ground as I involuntarily throw it to the side. The image is painted in my brain and before I know it, I’m dry heaving. I thought I had something in my stomach to throw up, but I must have eaten dinner earlier than normal. By the time my body calms down, my throat and stomach are hurting and I am starting to fully feel the body high.
Without any other choice, I cuddle up in my makeshift nest, close my eyes, and prepare to ride off the terrible wave. Tears are streaming down my face, but they feel like a slimy stream with an odor almost as bad as Derek’s dirty lake smell.
He’s ruined my trip. He’s ruined my night. But more importantly, I’m starting to realize, it feels like he’s ruinedme.
SIX
Playing: Losin Control by Russ
Even in myslightly drunken state, I recognize my heart is beating to a different drum. And that drum is a pretty omega with doe-like eyes and beautiful brown hair.
After stumbling around the party for a while, trying desperately not to drink myself into a coma so I can forget that the most stunning girl I’ve ever seen left me in the dust, I end up in the corner with two of my pack mates.
Uriah is on his phone, not in the mood to celebrate since their team lost tonight. Atlas is just content with being nearby, nursing the same rum and coke that I saw him drinking an hour ago. He observes me as I sit between them and burrows his eyebrows together.
“What’s up, Ci?” he asks casually, but I know he can sense the turn my mood has taken. It’s both a blessing and a curse how observant he is.
“This party is busted.” A tiny hiccup escapes me. “The prettiest girl here already left. Can we go?”
My statement catches Uriah’s attention enough that he’s lifting his head to stare at me. He looks at Atlas, who is equally intrigued.
“I’ll text Kenny,” Atlas concludes, picking up his phone. I’m thankful they’re not pushing it, because I’m not ready to talk about it yet.
I could smell her. She was covered in vanilla, with something else that was beautifully floral. I shouldn’t be able toknowthat.What does it mean?
