Page 14 of Never Enough
But again, Daphne saved me.
Her fingers dance across the strings with a grace that belies the melancholy in the notes she coaxes forth. The sunlight filters through the high windows, casting her in a halo of light that deepens the hazel of her eyes and illuminates the dark waves of her hair. It’s like watching something sacred, and for a moment, I forget to breathe.
In my mind, time rewinds to the darkest night of my life—the cold grip of despair, the crushing weight of loneliness, and thenher. Daphne pulls me back from the precipice, saving me with her quiet strength. She doesn’t know the depth of her own soul, how it resonates with a beauty that eclipses even this ethereal music she plays.
“Alex?” a syrupy voice murmurs, and suddenly Celeste is there, wrapping her arms around me from behind.
“Shh,” I hiss instinctively, stepping out of her embrace. The last thing I want is for Daphne to stop playing because of us. Celeste pouts, her oversized lips brushing against the skin of my neck, her hands wandering with entitled familiarity over my chest.
I tug on Celeste’s wrist so we’re out of earshot.
“Let’s sneak into that supply closet, baby,” Celeste whispers, her breath hot against my ear. “I can’t wait anymore.” Her fingers are insistent as they slip under the hem of my shirt, her neediness clawing at me like thorns.
“Later,” I murmur, a hollow promise that I don’t intend to keep. But Celeste isn’t deterred; she’s relentless, her body pressing close, blonde hair cascading over my arm as she leans in to kiss me. Images of Celeste swim before my eyes, different to the authenticity that exudes from Daphne’s every pore.
With Celeste, my life is a production, such as when she randomly brings up marriage.
Case in point… “Think about us, Alex,” she purrs, mistaking my distance for desire. “Marrying me. You want that, don’t you?”
Her words are like anchors, dragging me down, and I feel myself suffocating under the weight of her expectations. The golden boy entangled with the golden girl in everyone’s eyes. My gaze driftsback to the doorway, to Daphne, whose music has become a siren call. I’m drowning again, but not in dirt this time but in a sea of pretense.
“I’ve thought about it,” I say just to get her to shut the fuck up. It’s the truth. I mean, I have, but only long enough to reject it.
Celeste beams, satisfied and completely unaware of my decision. I can’t marry another woman when Daphne is in the world.
“Come on,” Celeste insists, tugging at my hand, trying to draw me away.
For now, I remain motionless, torn between the allure of what could be with Daphne and the suffocating clasp of what is with Celeste. All the while, the harp continues to sing its mournful song.
With a deft maneuver, I extricate myself from Celeste’s hold, feigning a sudden interest in an invisible speck on my sleeve.
“Alex, babe, what’s wrong?” she asks, her voice laced with a confusion that doesn’t reach her eyes. Sometimes, I wonder if she feels trapped as I do.
“Nothing,” I reply. “I just need a moment.”
Celeste pouts, her lips pursed in practiced disappointment. “But we were having such a perfect day.”
Perfect. The word reverberates through my mind, mocking me. Our entire relationship has been a meticulously crafted performance,but the audience doesn’t see the reality behind the curtain. The truth that I am suffocating.
As I watch her there, concern painted on her perfectly contoured face, I know I am about to shatter the illusion as realization grips me. I. Don’t. Want. This. I don’t want her.
“Listen, Celeste.” My voice falters as I search for words that won’t wound. “We need to talk. Seriously.”
“About what?” Her tone sharpens, and I can tell she senses the gravity shifting beneath us.
“About us. About everything.” My resolve hardens because it’s time to break free, even if the fallout threatens to tarnish my sterling reputation. Being the golden boy means nothing if it chains me to a lie.
“Can we do this later? You’re scaring me, babe.” She reaches out, her hand brushing mine, searching for reassurance.
I study her face and note sheer terror. Whether I love Celeste or not, we’ve been together for years. At times, she’s been my only friend. Not counting my sister, of course.
So, I’ll give her grace. It’s no secret that Celeste dislikes Daphne, and if I break up with her right here and now, it’ll be obvious that I’m trying to leave her for Daphne.
“Later,” I agree, withdrawing my hand gently. “We’ll talk later.”
As I say goodbye to her standing there, I have a sudden frisson of dread when I realize I have to discuss my pending breakup with Victoria. My sister is her best friend. How do you explain to someone you love that you’re about to hurt another person they care about?
Especially since there was a time when we fought over Daphne. Victoria thought Daphne was only using me, and since they were rivals, she didn’t want me anywhere near her. So, I can’t bring her up. Instead, I’ll keep it simple and truthful.