Page 34 of Inseparable
“You’re the most important person in my world, Ange. For all time. Even when you think you aren’t, know that you are. Even when I can’t show you or say all I want to say, know that you are. Even if I leave, I’m still with you. I’m a part of you, just like you’re a part of me, and you’ll always be in my heart. Never forget. You promised.”
He’s signed off in his messy scrawl, adding the infinity symbol beside it.
I clutch it to my chest, sobbing profusely, as I lie down on the bed, my heart physically paining me. Turmoil and confusion are like my two new best friends, but they offer no words of wisdom. No solid advice. I want Devin. I want him so badly.Miss him like crazy, but how can I give in after what he’s done?
After hours of torment, I finally succumb to sleep, and the darkness is a welcome relief.
Lucille calls first thing the next morning to ask if I want to work an extra shift at the diner. Two of her full-time waitresses have come down with some bug, and she’s desperate. I readily agree, knowing it will be busy—all Saturdays are—and I need respite from my muddled head.
The day flies by, and before I know it, darkness has descended, casting eerie shadows on the sidewalk outside. I’m absolutely shattered as I head outside at the end of the night, yawning and fighting to put one foot in front of the other.
“You look exhausted, babe,” Ayden says, lounging against the side of his Jeep as he waits for me.
“Hey, Ange,” Joshua Higgins says, nudging his head in my direction.
“Hi, Josh. He roped you in as designated driver?” I guess, watching him flick the keys back and forth between his fingers.
Josh grins. “Yep. I’ve been driving his majesty around town all day.”
I bark out a laugh as Ayden removes my bag from my shoulder, tossing it in the back seat. I lean into Josh, pretending to whisper conspiratorially. “I think he’s secretly enjoying being so helpless and all his bitching and moaning is just an act.”
“I think you could be right,” Josh says with a wink, jumping into the driver seat and powering up the engine.
“You’re both hilarious,” Ayden deadpans. “Now get your cute butt in the back seat and let’s go home.”
“Yes, sir, bossman.” I salute him, laughing as I haul ass into the Jeep.
“Careful, Lina, or I’ll have to summon the tickle monster.” Ayden climbs awkwardly in beside me, and Josh floors it the instant he shuts the door.
I grip the headrest in front to keep myself upright, alarm registering as Josh speeds up the road. “You wouldn’t dare,” I tell him.
“Wanna bet?” Ayden’s clear blue eyes glisten with mirth.
“Are you challenging me?”
His grin turns wicked. “What if I am?”
“As much as I’m game, you’re injured, so it’s not happening.”
“Chicken shit.” He does a one-armed impression of a chicken while making repeated “bwok, bwok” sounds, and he looks ridiculous.
Josh is howling with laughter in the front seat, and my lips are fighting a smile. I plant my game face on, purely for show. “Oh, it’s on, mister. It’s on like Donkey Kong.” I lunge for him the same time his good arm darts out, reaching for me, and I duck down, shrieking. Clamping my arms in to my body, I try to straighten up which is actually hard to do with your arms glued to your side. Ayden’s fingers creep along my waist, aiming for my armpit, and I scream, losing control of my arms as he tickles the crap out of me. I’m wriggling and writhing on the seat, trying to slip out of his reach while attempting to tickle him back, but he’s too strong, even one-armed, and I know defeat when I see it. “Okay! You win!” I screech, my body contorting like I’m possessed. “You’re the master tickle monster.”
He laughs, pulling me into his side, and kissing my temple. “You’re such a glutton for punishment. How many times did we tickle the shit out of you as kids?”
My mind inevitably goes there, and my laughter shrivels up and dies. Once they discovered how ticklish I was, Ayden and Devin used to gang up on me on a regular basis. I was fighting a losing battle every time, and I never once got the upper hand. They used to tickle me to death, and I’d huff and puff and pretend to be mad, but secretly I loved it. One time, I even peed my pants they were tickling me that hard, and they almost pissed theirs in return when they saw what they’d done to me.
Devin called me pissy pants for a whole year after that. I try to laugh at the once funny memory, but it comes out as more of a strangled, anguished sound. Ayden has gone quiet too, and I know he’s reminiscing as well. I snuggle up beside him, leaning my head on his shoulder, hoping his closeness and his warmth can eradicate the omnipresent pain. “What was the gift?” he asks, his fingers toying idly with my hair.
I catch Josh watching us in the mirror, and I don’t want to say anything in front of him. It’s not that I can’t trust him—although he’s on the football team, he’s not an arrogant douche like most of the players—I’m just not comfortable discussing it in public. Devin’s gift was hugely personal and so very special, and I don’t want to share that with anyone. Not even Ayden. “I’ll tell you when we get home,” I say, deflecting.
Back at the house, Mom is still up, waiting for me to come in. “You look tired, honey.” She draws me into a bear hug.
“I am.” I yawn. “It’s been a long day.”
“Why don’t you two go into the living room, and I’ll fix us some hot chocolate?” she suggests, and I duly comply.
I sit on the couch, flexing my neck from side to side, trying to loosen the tense kink. The atmosphere is undeniably strained.
