Page 122 of Eastern Lights

I pinched the bridge of my nose and shrugged. “Nothing. I ended whatever it was that we were doing with one another. I figured it was best if I focus on work instead of putting my focus in other places.”

He snickered. No shit, Damian actually laughed. “You got scared, didn’t you?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I do. I’m not an idiot.” He paused and cleared his throat. “Is it because you found out she was sick?”

I looked at him, stunned by his words. “What? You knew?”

“Yup.”

“How?”

“I told you, I researched her. I did digging when I realized you liked her to make sure she had no skeletons in her closet.”

“And you found out she was sick?”

“Yup.”

He said it so calmly, which pissed me right the hell off. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?!”

“Because I knew you’d push her away, which clearly that’s exactly what you did.”

I raked my hands through my hair. My blood was boiling as Damian told me all of this as if it wasn’t dire information that I could’ve used. If I knew Aaliyah was sick, I would’ve never let my feelings grow in the way they had. I would’ve never opened up. I would’ve never allowed myself to fall.

I knew better than this.

I knew better than to get close with someone.

“You should’ve told me,” I said.

“I’m glad I didn’t.”

“What the hell do you mean by that? You wanted me to feel shitty like this?” I barked as the rage built more and more.

“No. I just wanted you to feel.” He shifted in his chair and leaned forward. “I get it, man. I’m heartless. I don’t feel deep for anyone. I wasn’t built that way. But you’re different. You were made to love, but you let your fear of losing people get in the way. I knew if you found out Aaliyah was sick, you’d push her to the side because of fear.”

I knitted my brows together and grimaced. “That’s not why I stopped things with her. I stopped because she lied about it.”

“But she didn’t.”

“Omitting telling me the truth is a lie.”

“I don’t tell you when I go to shit, but that doesn’t mean I lied about it. It just wasn’t something I told you.”

“I’m being serious, Damian.”

“So am I. Stop acting like she’s some kind of devil because she didn’t tell you how bad off she was. You’re acting like a dick.”

“Fuck off a bit, will you, Damian?”

“Nah. I’m good.” He made himself comfortable in his chair. “Let’s unpack this situation.”

“There’s nothing to unpack.”

“There you go lying. Your baggage is heavy, shit, maybe heavier than mine.”

“What do you want me to say?”

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