Page 32 of His Little Devil
Full of love, patience, and normality. I want that. I thought I'd have that with her and my brothers, but I know that time has passed
Silver made her choice and I need to let her go, but not yet.
Her mark is still on my soul. I don't think it'll ever burn off.
I hand Mylie the remote and walk to the kitchen to make us something healthy to eat. Myah said that a pizza was coming tonight for dinner, but this kid can’t live off of grease and bar food.
I would never tell her mother how she should raise her, so I just sneak in some fruit and veggies when we hang out.
My phone buzzes, and I pull it from my pocket, answering without looking at who is calling.
I blocked my dad, and the only one who texts is Myah.
“Hey, she’s still alive and breathing,” I say while chopping some cucumbers, adding them to the plate with strawberries.
“You picked up,”a gruff voice says in response, and I sigh. My chest aches at the reminder that I have been blowing him off.
“Arrow. Hey, yeah,” I mumble, then set the knife down and rub my face. He’s quiet, and I hate how strained our relationship is now. “How are you…? How is…” I trail off and try not to think about Wellson collapsing in my arms, a breath from life.
“Same. Still in his self-induced magical coma. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come home. He may not need you right now, but I do… Did you get the invitation?”
“No, I don’t know what you’re talking about, and I know that I hurt you by leaving, Arrow, but if you knew what was good for you, you would leave too and join me.”
“If only,”he mutters before taking a breath. “I’m exhausted and just going to get this out. I'm not trying to be insensitive, but I have a lot on my plate here... Silver is marrying Luke, and attendance is mandatory. The consequences of not going are dire, and I know it's going to be like rubbing black salt in a wound, but I think you should come.”
My hand shakes, and my heart starts to pound faster. She's marrying him? How could she do that? Is what we had some kind of joke to her? Wasn't it bad enough to ditch us for the fucking Devil? Now she's going to marry him.
Call me stupid, but I think deep down I was still thinking—hoping, whatever—that she would return one day.
“I don't think I can do that, Arrow. I'd rather have Luke rip me apart with his bare hands. It couldn't be more painful than having my heart stomped on with a stiletto,” I grumble, my voice getting deeper and thicker with every word.
“Please, Don, don't do anything stupid. I can't risk losing you too. Just take some time. Think it over and then come home. We need you.”
I don't say anything more and he ends the call.
My mind is racing, and I must have zoned out. Someone knocks on the door, and Mylie comes into the kitchen with a box of pizza.
“You shouldn't have opened the door to strangers,” I mutter, and she shrugs, placing the food on the kitchen table.
I finish up our salad and bring it over, with the strawberries, then return with plates, forks, and drinks.
“Are you leaving?” Mylie asks as she sits at the table for dinner. I shake my head and grab my can of soda.
“No, I'm not going anywhere, squirt. Eat your salad,” I grunt, and she sighs before picking up her fork and stabbing one of the cherry tomatoes.
She looks at it like it's poison, then sticks her little tongue out and licks it, scrunching her nose.
Taking a deep breath, she closes her eyes and puts it into her mouth.
So dramatic. Now I can see why her mom needed a night off.
I don't mind hanging out with Mylie, she's like the kid-sister I never had. Liza was more like a mother to me and my brother… Though, I wonder what the step-monster is having.
“That man sounded mad,” she mumbles with her mouth full, and I nod.
Yeah, Arrow was pissed, but I'm still not ready to go back to the cottage.
But maybe soon. I still have all of my things there and unfinished business.