Page 110 of Stuck Behind Her

I get a glimpse of Lorenzo crossing his arms. “If you don’t know fashion, what do you know?”

Aurora rolls his eyes at his words. They talk, but I stay silent. I have nothing to say. Nothing feels worth saying anymore. We continue walking until we got to a spot completely covered in a thick white layer of snow. Elaina is the first to react, squealing before running into the snow. Ellie follows her, and they both fall onto the soft white carpet blanketing the ground. They start swinging their hands and legs, creating snow angels.

Aurora joins them, sitting in the snow as she picks it up in her hands.

They throw it in the air and make snow figures, as if the snow is a miracle to them. Something they’re seeing for the first time and will never see again. At least they’re having fun. Unlike me. Instead, I sit on a bench. My arm is still in a cast, so playing with the snow in general would be hard. If anything hit it, I’d go through a hell of pain. I’d rather sit out anyway.

My heart is still empty. Yet now it feels even more so. I didn’t think that was possible. I have no one to blame but myself. Forhaving hope. For thinking there was a chance. For not trying harder for her.

Lorenzo walks around the area alone, eyeing me every moment he can. With hatred. I take a deep breath, throwing my head back. He still despises every bit of my being. He still thinks I tried to hurt her. I’d never do that, he knows me. He knows I would never do such a thing, and it sucks that he can think so badly of me like it’s nothing. With no regret or suspicion. If only he could see inside me, he’d know I am just as hurt.

After a while, we agree to walk a bit farther before heading back to the hotel to eat. Two security guards walk around us, even though we’re the only one’s here. I guess it’s extra precaution. Aurora and Val walk in front of us, chatting and keeping an eye on their sisters. I’m glad Aurora’s having fun. I think it’s the one good thing I’m getting out of this. She’s wanted to come to New York for so long, and I know that being here with her favorite singer is like a dream to her. I don’t want to have to shatter that for her.

Suddenly, I feel something tackle my foot, interrupting my motion. I’m thrown off balance, tripping and crashing into the cold snow. I’m able to save my face from the ground, but my clothes are dipped into the slush.

I raise my head to see Lorenzo standing in front of me, and something inside me tenses. “Oh, do you need a helping hand? Yours seemed to have failed you,” he mocks, a grin on his face. My jaw clenches, and a sense of irritation takes over me. That little . . .

I use my right arm and my legs to push myself up, partly covered in snow. “What the fuck is your problem?” I shout, shoving him backward. However, one arm isn’t strong enough to knock him off balance, and he’s able to hold his stance, taking only a couple of steps back.

“Oh, is Roland’s heir upset? We wouldn’t want that, would we?” he jeers, tilting his head to the side. His eyes pretend to look innocent, as if he’s teasing me. I clench my jaw, my body tense as my heartbeat pounds in my chest.

I push him again, harder, and this time he stumbles into the snow. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I shout at him, my voice harsh. Anger possesses my body, making it the only thing I can feel.

“Hey, hey, calm down!” Aurora runs over to hold me back, away from Lorenzo. Like he didn’t do anything. Like he isn’t the one who started this.

Lorenzo’s expression shifts, the hatred returning to his eyes as he gets up, dusting off the snow stuck to his clothes. “Yeah, Miller, why don’t you calm down?” he continues to taunt. I try pushing against Aurora, but she pulls me back, twisting slightly to look toward Lorenzo.

“Both of you, stop,” she says in a serious tone. “What’s going on with you two?” she asks, first to him, then to me. Her eyes are wide, surprised. I don’t answer her. Neither of us do. He has nothing to say, because there is no valid reason why any of this is happening.

Val runs through the snow toward us, Ellie and Elaina still playing in the distance under the eye of some of the bodyguards, oblivious to what’s happening. “What happened?” she asks.

“I don’t know, they’re just attacking each other,” Aurora now looks at her, shrugging her shoulders. I take a step back, shaking my head as I do so. Of course. That’s all that’s happening. Just a fight, with no reason. No fault, unless it’s mine.

I look at Lorenzo, the anger slowly dissolving into pain. Disappointment. “Yeah, just attacking each other. Isn’t that right, Lorenzo?” I say, turning away and walking back toward the car. I’ve had enough of this, of Lorenzo’s mockery and targeting. He’s just going to keep accusing me of something hehas no proof of. Attacking and taunting me, like it’s nothing. Like we weren’t trusted friends a week ago.

Well, two can play at that game.

Chapter 70 – Quindici

Lorenzo

Time passes fast, and soon it’s Saturday; three more days until the new year. I leave in two weeks. Two weeks, and I’m back in Portland, with nothing to do but drown in my thoughts again. Not that I haven’t been doing it here. At least my mom will be with me. My head spirals as I sit on the couch in Vi’s hotel room, rather than in mine. I can get peace here, without having to see that asshole. I move my hair back and away from my face, and look at the ceiling.

Val comes in, her heels tapping onto the floor tiles. She sinks into the couch next to me, and I straighten up.

“Hey. You doing okay?” she asks. She’s dressed up so I suspect we are going somewhere.

“Yes, of course I am. Do you need anything?” I ask her.

Her hair is loose, like always, with a couple of clips on each side. She’s wearing a solid red long-sleeve shirt and a tight plaid print skirt that hits right above her knee. She looks great, like always.

“Oliver and Mrs. Brooks said they’d take care of Ellie and Elaina for a bit, so Elias, Aurora, and I are planning to go somewhere. I didn’t know if you wanted to come with us or not because of your fight with Elias, but I’m asking you anyway,” she explains, fiddling with her ring. The ring I gave her. I knew she’d use it. I know her well enough to know how easily she gets stressed, and how she deals with it.

Go out. We haven’t been able to do much these last few days, other than the planned events with Ellie and Elaina, so I would love to go. But Elias is going and looking at Elias makes my blood boil. Yet time is ticking, and I still want to spend as much time with Vi as possible. Even if it means having to handle him.

“Yes, I’ll come. I came here to spend time with you, it wouldn't be right if I let a fight prevent that,” I reply.

A smile appears on her face, and I realize that going with Elias will be worth it, if it means she’s happy. “We’re leaving at six p.m., which is in less than half an hour, so you should get ready. Also, please try not to make any problems with him. Just for a bit,” she requests.

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