Page 60 of Spiteful Lies
A cold chill races down my back as he speaks those dreaded words. And only Justin is left.
“It’s not what they were expecting,” he says, “but I’m sure they’ll come around.”
“What if they don’t?” I ask. “Maybe I really fucked this up.”
He smirks. “No, you didn’t. They need time. Merry Christmas, sweetheart. Give me a call if you need me.”
I nod but say nothing else, and then I’m staring down at a blank screen. What have I done? By making no choice, have I lost them all? I throw my phone off the bed, and it bounces, hitting the floor and gliding out of sight under Charlotte’s old bed.
I’m disgusted with myself for being naïve, and with Stonehaven for reminding me of what world I now live in. Besides, my heart might change when I leave Stonehaven. I’ve only ever been here and not out in the world. Maybe I’ll meet the one, the only one, in college if I go. But that’s a lie. I’m doomed to love four men equally and at the same time.
The room is completely dark as I lie down, placing my face into the mattress as I start to cry. I want to tear at myself so I don’t feel the pain in my heart. I ruined it by trying to have everything I want. But that’s the problem. I was greedy, just like the rich girls I used to despise.
My phone chimes, and I have to get up and find it in the dark. A text message appears, and then another. It’s a group text, each boy making plans to be back at Stonehaven for Christmas. Each boy is apologizing and is desperate to see me. I smile as they text each other, making plans to arrive in the evening. They can work together when they really want a result. I guess I’m worth working for? But our odd relationship will be hard work.
Chapter 38
Astrid
The apartment floor is vibrating under dancing feet, and the neighbors would complain, except they’re right here partying beside us. Earlier, Nova, Derick, and I shoved all the furniture into Mom’s bedroom to turn the living room into a dance floor. The lights are low, and the apartment is standing room only. The cost of admission is potluck—soda and chips from the corner market line the kitchen counter along with bottles of Quick-Mart liquor, a couple of potato salads, and someone brought buckets of chicken.
“This is lit,” Derick squeezes past me back onto the dance floor, “Santa is going to skip his deliveries and hang out here.”
“I guess that means you’re having a good time!” I shout over the music.
“It’s like Christmas up in here.” Derick moves away and starts dancing with a girl from the building. She smiles at him and then moves her hips seductively to the beat. Derick tries not to smile too hard and plays it cool, but soon a smile breaks out onto his face as he takes the girl’s hand and spins her in a circle.
“How much has he had to drink?” Nova watches her cousin closely, folding her arms. “I’d hate to stop the party for an intervention.” She laughs at my shocked expression. “He’s good, Astrid. You know Derick doesn’t abuse. He’s just getting out of hand.”
“He must be happy,” I tell her, “I hear the gym is growing.”
“We hooked up with a local fighter,” Nova beams, “He’s training there now, and we got an interview in the local paper. But it’s hard running the business and trying to finish school.”
“You can handle it, Nova,” I reply, “Only one more semester.”
She shrugs with an apparent disinterest expressed in her eyes. “School hasn’t done a whole lot for me. We’ll see what happens.” Nova scans the crowded room. “Where’s Wyatt? Is he coming?”
“He might show up later.” Our conversation stalls as I watch the dancers on the floor. The song has changed, and Derick is slow dancing with another girl. Nova floats away, mixing into the crowd, and starts to dance solo. She doesn’t stay that way for long as a tall, dark, and buff guy from Monarch joins her. She smiles at him then places her hands on his shoulders while he slips his hands around her waist. I guess Teeny is gone. A lot has changed since I’ve been gone.
Charlotte takes Nova’s place beside me. “What are you smirking at?”
“My friend Nova is keeping her private life very private.” I nod in her direction. “She’d never dance that close unless she was interested.”
“Well, I know someone else who keeps her love life private,” replies Charlotte, “Are the boys slumming tonight? And have you explained that situation to your mom?”
“They’re on their way back to Stonehaven,” I reply, “But they’ll probably miss the party. Justin’s flying in, and they want to see me together.” I turn toward Charlotte and grasp her wrist. “Come with me for a minute.”
We squeeze into my tiny bedroom and stand next to my old bed, concealed by a tottering pile of winter coats.
“I want to give you your Christmas gift, Charlotte.” Frowning with effort, I reach under my twin bed. “It’s from all of us. I’ll explain when you see it.” I yank out a large brown cardboard box with a silly ribbon wrapped around it. The used box still has its old mailing labels on it. “I couldn’t find a bigger box, and you’re moving, so I used this.”
Charlotte smiles graciously and nudges me softly in the shoulder. “Astrid, you really didn’t have to. But I’m curious and excited. But first.” Charlotte awkwardly pulls open a drawer in my nightstand. “I wanted to hide it, so I snuck it in here.” She holds out a slim box wrapped perfectly in purple foil paper with a glitter bow.
“Merry Christmas.” We speak in unison as we hug.
“Wow, you can be sneaky, Charlotte, but I love it.” I whip the gift out of her hands, and she kneels on the floor before hers. I open the box and laugh with delight. It’s a charm bracelet from Stonehaven bookstore with three charms—a capital A with my birthstone, the Stonehaven crest in enamel, and a gold sneaker with wings. Quickly, I put it on my wrist and admire each charm. “Charlotte, this must’ve cost you real money, but thank you. I love it.”
But Charlotte is quiet as she leans hunched over the open cardboard box. Her breathing becomes ragged, and immediately, I kneel beside her. Gradually, she turns her gaze on me. “How did you find this? It’s my mother’s stuff.”