Page 52 of Inseparable
“I’m calling bullshit on that.”
“It’s the truth. Well, part of the truth,” I admit, averting my eyes. I draw a long breath before I prepare to spill my guts.
“Did you fuck him?”
My eyes pop wide. “What? No! Of course not!” Against my better judgment, I step into him, placing my hands cautiously on his chest as I peer into his face. “I would never do that to you.”
He stares back at me, and I wonder what he sees. “You’re still into him, aren’t you?” He shakes his head, refusing to make eye contact. “Even after everything we’ve shared.”
“Ayd.” He removes my hands, and there’s no disguising the hurt on his face. “Nothing happened between Devin and me. I woke up in the middle of the night to discover him injured and bleeding in his backyard. He was wasted, and he’d crashed his truck. Lucas was there, and he asked me if they could stay here ‘cause his dad was furious. We fixed Dev up and put him to bed. Mom said to wake him every few hours to ensure he didn’t have a concussion, and I tried to stay awake, but I fell asleep beside him, but it was all innocent. I swear.”
He shoots me a disbelieving look, and I hate that he thinks I’m lying. “Ask Mom if you doubt me. She was there when we woke up, and she’ll tell you I was fully clothed.”
His eyes drill into me, and I hold my gaze steady. I’ve nothing to hide, and my conscience is clear. All I’m guilty of is helping an old friend out in his time of need and being stupid enough not to come clean with the boyfriend the minute he showed up. It’s not like I’ve murdered someone.
His face relaxes, and air expels from his lungs. “It’s okay. I believe you.”
A layer of stress lifts off my shoulders. “Are we okay?”
“Do you want us to be okay?”
I frown. “What does that mean?”
“Am I still who you want, Lina?”
“Of course, you are.” I snake my arms around him. “I’m sorry I’ve made you doubt yourself, doubt us, but I couldn’t leave him out there, Ayd. He was in really bad shape. Go over and see for yourself.”
Slowly, his arms encircle my lower back, and I offer up silent thanks. “It’s okay. I know we’re not friends anymore, but helping him was the right thing to do. I just wish I hadn’t found out the way I had. Now everyone is talking about the three of us again, and I’m sick of all this shit.”
“I’m sorry.” I look up at him. “I promise it won’t happen again.”
As he lowers his mouth to mine, I ignore the conflict brewing to epic proportions inside me and open my mouth to welcome him.
Becky and I are suspended for a week, and when we return to school, we are both cautioned to stay away from one another, but I know it’s only a matter of time before open hostilities resume. Becky’s a smart bully, and she won’t do anything while there’s a spotlight on our heads, but I know I only have a small window of reprieve.
Devin is also back at school, and most of his injuries appear healed, but he’s also back to blatantly ignoring me, and it’s like I’ve regressed in time. I don’t know why I thought it’d be any different, but those few hours in his company has reignited old feelings and scars, and I’m sinking back into a bad place.
February turns to March, and it’s a couple weeks before spring break. I can’t believe I’m close to entering my last semester of high school. It still seems surreal to think I’ll be in college in six months’ time. Remarkably, Becky hasn’t come near me, and things have settled down again.
While Ayd said he forgave me, things aren’t quite the same between us, and there’s a wall in place that wasn’t there before. Not only that, but he’s acting strange. Usually, he collects me from the diner after my shift ends most Friday nights, but the last couple of Fridays he has gone out partying, staggering home in the early hours, smashed and rambling incoherently. He falls into bed beside me, smelling like beer and cigarette smoke, snoring loud enough to wake every household in the area. I’ve also been present for the many rip-roaring arguments with his dad and the disappointed looks from Coach when he saunters into practice late.
I’ve asked him continuously what’s wrong, but he keeps telling me nothing, and I hate that he won’t open up to me, but I don’t push him, because I’m fearful it’s me, and I’m terrified that I’m on the verge of losing my other best friend, so I seal my lips and try to pretend like my boyfriend isn’t transforming before my eyes.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
It’s the first Friday of the month, and I’m walking to my locker with Mariah after the last class of the day when a commotion up ahead claims our attention. People are huddled around their lockers, pretending they’re not listening to the massive argument between Becky and Devin.
“I said we’re done, and I meant it,” Devin says, glaring at her. “So get the fuck out of my face.”
Mariah and I trade surprised expressions.
“Baby, come on,” Becky pleads, pouting her lips and fawning at him. “I said I’m sorry and there’s no need for anything to change. We’re so good together.”
Devin slams his locker shut, and she jumps a little. His mouth is curled into a sneer as he puts his face in hers. “We were never good together, and I hated every second of it. Every fucking second was torture for me.”
Becky stiffens her spine, glancing subtly at the devout crowd. She tosses her hair over one shoulder, fixing Devin with a fierce look. “There’s no need to lie.”
He harrumphs. “Are you for fucking real?” He glares at her, and I swear every person close by rears back from the look of pure hatred in his eyes. I’m captivated by the scene unfolding. Although, it’s nothing to do with me, and I can’t see how anything will change in our situation, I’m thrilled Devin has finally woken up. Thrilled that the bitch is finally getting her comeuppance.
