Page 57 of King of Liars

Two

Ihadn’t realized how awful devastation could feel until I was lying on the floor of my room, curled into a ball.

It was hard enough that King felt so wounded by me, but to know that it was over with Aiden…no, I couldn’t bear that.

However, I knew why I had lost King’s trust, and I deserved it.

I was wrong.

I had broken the rule, and there was no redemption for my sins.

I wanted to text Aiden, but I wouldn’t cross that line and put him at risk within the knights. No, I wouldn’t hurt him like that. Didn’t change that there was this part of me that wanted Aiden to choose me.

I couldn’t think that way. No one left King.

Ever.

But why?

My chest constricted, and I struggled to breathe as I dwelled on the consequences of my actions.

It was going to be a long night, and an even longer week.

I grabbed my phone and pulled up a photo Aiden and I had taken one night at the local club.

Fuck me.

A knock at the door surprised me—

No, I imagined it.

I warred against my wish that it were Aiden, hoping he had come to talk to me after what had gone down at King’s. That was a fucking fantasy. It was one of the reasons I’d left the basement so quickly.

I wouldn’t have been able to bear being rejected again—not by King and Aiden on the same night, not to see him choosing King over me. I’d known we were having too much fun, but it wasn’t until I was confronted with losing him that I realized just how much fun.

I’d miss rolling around in bed with him.

Laughing at movies together.

Chatting with him about school or work.

When I’d catch that sexy glance or even an annoyed glare.

And that smile…that beautiful fucking smile.

Which only made me think of every fucking kiss I’d have to learn to live without…on my lips…on my body…

I never considered I could go through withdrawal over anyone except King, but there I was, crying onto the polished concrete floor.

I pulled up my messages—wishful thinking.

No attempt by Aiden to reach out. He couldn’t. He would be exiled, same as me.

He had made his decision. And for that, I fucking hated him.

I balled my hands into fists and bashed them into the concrete.

“Damn you, King. Damn you, damn you, damn you, Aiden.”