Page 32 of Truth
“Stop being wry. Why are we here?” My mind is numb.
“Because I’m taking you away. Away from the world. Just you and me. I want you as mine, Drew,” he mumbles against my neck before he moves to the car door.
Pulling back, I look down to my purse and out to the window. I can hear him talking, but I can’t focus on the words.
“Hold tight, gorgeous. I’m going to check us in.”
I feel like I’m on a delay. What the hell is happening? I can’t even process this. I can’t just pick up and go with him. I am being wooed and romanced by this man, who has undoubtedly swept me off my goddamn feet from the minute we met. He’s like a life preserver while I was drowning, but I’ll pull him under. I can’t give him all of me, only a version I hope to become.
I’m still lost, from Nick…from me. That’s what happens when you forget to value yourself: you become overlooked, and the longer that lasts, the less likely you are to ever find your shine. But now King wants to put a spotlight on me, which will only highlight all the cracks. I don’t want him to see the weak spots.
I have to go.
Getting out of the car, I walk around the back as King bounds toward me with that gleaming smile. He looks like a man in love, but he can’t be in love with me. It’s just lust.
Holding up one hand to stop him and looking down at the ground, I can’t believe I’m about to throw away something I want so badly. “I can’t go away with you.” The quiver in my voice gives away my emotion.
“What are you talking about?” He steps back as if space and comprehension are intimately tied together. “Nervous flyer?” He doesn’t laugh.
I force myself to look him in the eyes, but as I do, I already see recognition. He understands I’m about to run. Like recognizes like. We are two in one, he and I.
“I mean exactly what I said. I can’t go—I have a job and a life.”
“Call in.” He crosses his arms, and I can see his jaw set. His posture is as immovable as his suggestion.
“No.”
“Choose us, Drew, trust us…” Something about what he says triggers my anger. I’ve spent far too long choosing to make myself second to another. I won’t ever do that again.
Throwing my hands up in the air, I begin to pace. “That’s right. Because my job is unimportant, right? Only your time matters. I’m just the armpiece—I can call in and just be at your beck and call all week…” Even I know that’s not him, but my brain is on overload and I hate myself, so I hate King too.
“I never said that. I’m not him. I thought I made my intentions clear. You know this,” he says, motioning between us. “This is something else. You can say whatever you want because I see that I scare the hell out of you. But baby, you know what? You scare the hell out of me too, but I believe enough for the both of us.Youknow I am nothing like that jackass Nick.”
God, please make him stop. I won’t be able to walk away.
“Oh, but you could be a cleverer version? What do you even know about me? I could be a horrible person…all you know is that you like to fuck me. How can that be anything more than what this is.” I don’t mean it, but words are coming out and I can’t stop, and judging by the look on his face, I’ve successfully pushed him far enough away.
“Is that what you think? You think I just like to fuck you? I told you things tonight I’ve never said aloud. I let myself want you, knowing I may not get you. I want for nothing.” King closes the distance I put between us with my pacing, looking down at me.
“Do you know what you’re doing Drew? Do you really know? Because I’ve never been more sure. It doesn’t matter that I just met you; it feels like I’ve spent lifetimes with you. I want to take everything, every damn piece of yourself you gave up and help you put them back together.” Cupping his hands around my face, he tilts it up to look directly into my eyes. “Because you may not see her, but I do…and I want to dedicate all my time to worshipping that woman.”
My cheek feels wet from my tears, and I can’t bear to stand and cry in front of him, so I push his hands away and turn to walk down the street the car drove down.
His voice cuts through the air. “I won’t make this easy for you, not when I know better…”
“I’m not the girl you think I am. I’m not that girl at all. I need time and you deserve someone who is sure.” I can’t turn around. I can’t see his reaction to my words because I’m a coward and I don’t think I could hold that image on my heart without it breaking in two.
I hear his steps coming toward me. I expect him to speak, but it’s not King’s voice that calls my attention. I turn toward the voice, and it’s attached to a man who is coming from the building with a clipboard in hand. My gaze follows him, guiding my body all the way to King.
“Mr. King, I’m sorry to interrupt, I have some paperwork for you to—”
“No.” King’s eyes are locked to mine, hard and impassive, never wavering.
“I apologize, but without a signature I’m unable to—”
“Show yourself inside, and don’t fucking make me repeat myself.” I look at the poor man, horrified at King’s behavior but also relieved to have him be told to leave.
The man nods in acknowledgment of his dismissal, turns, and leaves the way he came.
