Page 65 of Born Reckless
I can’t find even a single word to say to this man. So, I turn and I walk away.
I wander through the crowd aimlessly. I look around and I take note of all the looks that come my way. And if they give me any kind of second thought at all, it’s with disapproval all over their faces.
I’m the dirty nobody with a tragic past. I’m the daughter of a pirate and a dead gifted woman. I grew up in single-wide trailers, and as a teen, I was sent to detention more times than I can count.
Maybe that man was right. Maybe it started out as simple attraction. But Mason did pluck me out of all of that. He paid off my massive debt. He put me up in that penthouse. And he kissed me silly and made me feel better than any other person on this planet has.
Mason is a good man. One of the very best.
But do we haveanythingin common? Do I really evenknowhim? Or is there some kind of hero-worship going on?
I feel like I’m spiraling. I feel sick. I don’t want to be at this fancy party with people who despise me because I’m with their golden prince. I want to go home.
But home is still a place I’ve never had.
I turn, looking for the exit when someone reaches out for my hand and my eyes meet my best friend’s.
“Juliet, what’s wrong?” she asks, her brows furrowing. “You look like you’re two seconds away from a panic attack.”
“That’s ‘cause I am,” I say. I’m breathing too hard. My brain is spinning, and it just goes faster and faster as I see other dark glances cast my way. “I… I can’t stay here. I need to get out of here.”
The look in her eyes deepens, concern wrinkling her brow. She takes my hand and leads me past everyone, out into the hall. From there, she guides me upstairs and to a private room.
It’s an office, though it doesn’t look like it’s used. Detailed, dark wood covers everything. A dusty desk sits across from the window with an ancient-looking chair pushed under it. Empty bookshelves line one wall, showcasing nothing but more dust.
“What’s wrong?” Elena asks as she guides me to the chair. She’s all anxious anticipation, unsure if she needs to buy me ice cream or rip more throats out.
I lean back in the chair, my eyes wandering to the side, and I shake my head. “I’m a selfish person, aren’t I?”
She meets me with silence for a long moment. She didn’t expectthatto come out of my mouth. “There isn’t a single person in this world who isn’t selfish.”
My eyes slide to hers, and my chest feels tight. She’s been amazing to me. She’s had my back for the past year and a half. And because I had the hots for her brother, I just ignored what she had to say about the two of us.
“I’m sorry,” I say, my words coming out slightly hoarse. “I’ve been being a bad friend since I came here.”
Elena’s brows furrow and she crouches in front of me. She places a hand on my arm. “What’s going on?” she asks quietly.
I swallow once and shake my head, looking away from her. “I’m just finally realizing that I can’t just do things because they feel good. It isn’t how the world works. I’ve been immature. I know what I need to do.”
She places a hand on my cheek and turns my face to hers. “Juliet, you’re scaring me.” She does look scared. She looks kind of terrified.
“You don’t need to be,” I say flatly. “But I think it’s time I start my apprenticeship with Dr. Vincent. I need a day or two to get myself mentally prepared. He said he’s arranged an apartment for me. I’ll be moving out.”
I think she realizes what this means. Slowly, something dawns in her expression. Her eyebrows raise just a bit.
“I’m going to be a better friend from now on,” I say quietly. I hold her hand tight, hoping she can feel how much I mean this promise. “I swear.”
Elena seems at a loss for words, something that rarely happens. But she simply presses her lips together, and she nods.
“Come on,” I say, forcing a smile onto my face. “We should get back to your party. Quite the turn out.”
“Yeah,” she says absentmindedly as she rises to her feet at the same time I do. She follows me out the door, and we make our way down the stairs.
Just before we walk through the main doors to the ballroom, Warren steps out. His eyes are a little too wide, maybe a little panicked.
“Everything okay?” Elena asks, reaching for his hand.
“Yeah, fine,” he says, dismissive and distracted. “Juliet, I need to talk to you.”