Page 37 of Ache
I glance at the clock. It’s nearly six-thirty. I can’t stay here, but I dread going to work. I can’t look Alec in the eyes. Not yet.
Maybe I should just run away?
A ridiculous solution, but appealing, nonetheless.
I try to slide out of bed as stealthy as possible, but Tage’s arm shoots out and snatches my wrist before I make it six centimeters.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He smiles with his eyes closed.
“It’s Friday. Work.”
His eyebrows crease, but his lids remain shut. “Blow it off. Spend the day in bed with me. We have a lot to catch up on.”
For some reason, that request infuriates me. He expects me to just drop everything just because he’s graced my sheets with his presence.
“I can’t. That’s not how adulting works.” I yank my wrist from his grasp.
“I’m sensing some hostility.” Tage pops his eyes open, and the brown ringing his pupils illuminates in the sun.
“What the fuck gave it away?”
“You’re mad? Why?”
Why?Why?We just createda monumental mess of my life. Am I supposed to be happy?
“Ugh.” I toss the covers off and escape into the bathroom, locking the door behind me to gain some space. My apartment isn't all that big, but I’m grateful for the multiple rooms.
I wash my face, do my business, and skip the shower. I just need to go.
“Everly.” Tage voices my name while sitting up in my bed. How many times have I dreamed of this exact moment? This exact situation. Countless, for years and years, and when I finally give up the fantasy, it becomes a nightmarish reality.
The worst-possible timed encounter in my entire life.
I grab some work clothes from the closet and throw them on. Tie my hair back in a ponytail in record time, and don’t even bother with makeup. If anyone asks, I had a restless night’s sleep. It’s not so far from the truth. “We need to talk.”
“No, we don’t,” I shut him down. “I just need to go.”
“Don’t go,” he pushes.
“I have to. I can’t do this. Not right now.” I start to make my escape, but Tage is up and blocking the door faster than I can blink. I try not to notice that he is still gloriously naked, tattooed, and toned. I look away. Temptation is the last thing I need.
“Why can’t you do this now?”
My heart wilts. “It's too hard.”
“Why?” He steps closer and touches my face. My eyes become watery.Please don’t.
“How can we go through this again? You broke my heart.” All the years of suppressed pain shoot to the surface. “I trusted you. I loved you. I needed you.” Tears fall.
“I was here.”
“No, you weren’t.” I look up into his hazel eyes. “Not the way you promised you’d be.”
“I thought I was doing the right thing—”
“Well, you didn’t.” I push past him.
“Ever,” Tage calls after me, but he doesn’t follow me into the living room.
