Page 108 of Shattered Skull

There was movement headed in my direction. They were coming inside, and I was going to have to be faced to face with Will again.

I couldn’t do it.

I never wanted to see him again.

Standing, I backed away before turning and dashing for the front door. Before they could come inside, I was already on the front porch and sprinting down to Zada’s house.

I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I couldn’t tell Aiken about his brother. He would never believe me. My own mother hadn’t believed me. I could never make Aiken choose between his brother and me. And if I did, I knew he would never pick me.

No one ever did.

I wouldn’t survive it if Aiken didn’t choose me. It would kill me slowly, stripping me of all that I was and leaving nothing but dust and bones behind. I couldn’t do it, which meant I had to leave him before he found out the truth and tossed me away like I was nothing.

38 Everly

MY CELL STARTED GOING NUTStwenty minutes after I got to Zada’s house, but every time Aiken called, I sent it directly to voicemail. Once he realized I wasn’t going to answer, he began texting me.

Aiken: Where are you?

Aiken: Babe, is everything ok?

Aiken: You’re worrying me, Everly. Answer your phone.

Aiken: What the fuck is happening? Where are you?

He came down to Zada’s and beat on the door, but I was there alone, and I didn’t answer. He had to know I was close, though, since I hadn’t taken Erik’s car. At one point, I worried he was going to rip the door down, but he left and started calling me again.

I had to respond at some point, but I didn’t know what to say yet.

Aiken: Please, baby, tell me you’re ok.

Aiken: Everly, whatever it is, I can fix it.

I squeezed my eyes closed and let the tears spill down my cheeks. Hurting him was going to kill me, but I had to do it. I could never tell him about his brother, and yet, I refused to be around Will. I had no other choice but to end it. I didn’t want to come between him and the only family he had.

He stopped texting and calling for an hour before he texted once more.

Aiken: Please, Everly.

I held my cell close to my chest, knowing I had to respond.

Me: I’m ok.

Aiken: Where are you?

I didn’t respond.

Aiken: Why did you leave? What did I do?

He hadn’t done anything. He was perfect, and I loved him beyond measure, which was why I had to walk away.

Aiken: Please come home to me.

I couldn’t go home—especially not while Will was there. Once he was gone, I would go get my things and bring them back to Zada’s. It was only right.

I waited two hours for Will to leave, and once he did, I left Zada’s and walked back to the house. When I stepped through the front door, I found Aiken sitting on the couch with his elbows resting on his knees and a look of absolute devastation on his face.

He looked up when I entered, and he stood, the fear and worry on his face clearing.