Page 91 of Resist
When we get to my car, Phoenix snaps the keys from my hand. “You’re shaking. You’re not driving. Tell me where to go, and I’ll drive.”
“The cemetery.”
The girls exchange a perplexed look, and Maddie shrugs. “I got nothin’.”
I swing open the door with so much force Phoenix winces.
“Get in, bitches. I need to go yell at my father.”
CHAPTER 36
Sterling
Archer,Thor, and Jagger sit in my living room. There’s two open extra-large pizza boxes on the coffee table and at least eight or ten empty beer bottles scattered around the table and our feet.
As much as they claimed “guy’s night,” it’s clear from how they’re all sending furtive glances my way that they’re worried about me.
I don’t blame them, I’m worried about me as well.
It’s Tuesday night, yesterday’s confrontation with Corabelle feels like it was weeks ago, and the pizza and beer in my gut aren’t sitting well at all.
Mom and Tessa are checking in every hour with text messages, and my friends won’t stop staring.
“Are you going to message her?” Archer slugs from his bottle, he’s picked the label off and scrunched it into a ball on the coffee table.
“No.” I shake my head, bottle poised at my mouth for another drink. “She was very clear she wanted me out of her space, and I need to respect that. She’s angry, hurt, I was theguy who told her that her father was a monster, she’s not going to want to talk to me for a while.”
If at all. Like, ever.
I don’t say that part out loud. I can’t give voice to that thought, because I’m not prepared to accept that I’ve had her in my life for a few short weeks, or that now it’s done, finished, over forever.
I can’t have been kissed by Corabelle for the last time. I can’t have seen the last of her impatient eye rolls, or clicking of her tongue in exasperation of something stupid I’ve said.
I refuse to accept that.
Understandably, she needs time and space. She needs to come to terms with the fact that the man she thought was her hero—for her whole life—was actually a fucking pig, but also come to terms with the fact that the man she fake-married, also lied to her. That I had an ulterior, sinister motive to destroy something she loves and holds dear.
Fuck.
She may never trust me again.
It’s a realization that makes white-hot pain lance through my chest. I liked the relationship we were forging together. The expectation wasn’t ever a real marriage, and there’s a piece of me that felt as though Corabelle might want to stay single forever. If that’s the case, I’m fine with it.
I already love her, I want to spend time with her, and if friendship’s all she’s ever willing to give me, I’d happily take that and protect it with everything I have.
Except I went and fucked it up.
I tug at the collar of my shirt, even though it’s not tight.
“You okay?” Thor’s piercing stare is on me, concern making his eyes crinkle at the corners.
“Just catastrophizing in my head.”
Jagger sweeps his hand, indicating for me to continue.
“We were building foundations. That trust is now broken.” I shrug. “I don’t like how that feels.”
“She broke the trust by running out on your wedding night,” Jagger counters. “Dangerous and irresponsible as a dominant.”