Page 44 of Truth Forever
“Slut?” She arched an eyebrow. “No. Crazy? Most definitely.” She flopped herself back down next to me, bringing her socked feet up under her. “I can’t believe you went to meet some random from the Internet and didn’t even tell me. You could have been murdered.” She scolded
I frowned. That’s what she took from my story? “He wasn’t even real.”
“That’s not the point, is it? You could have been killed, Cali. You almost were.” She glanced around. “Did he really aim a gun at your head?”
I nodded. “And I pissed myself, let’s not forget that part.”
She waved away my words. “Any normal person would Cal. What are you going to do?”
Her question took me by surprise. It confused me. What did she mean what was I going to do? “I’m leaving. As soon as I’ve showered and finished packing.”
“You are still going?” Layla seems genuinely surprised. “Even though he is in town and obviously wants to speak to you.”
“He doesn’t want to talk to me, Layla. He didn’t then, and he doesn’t now. He pulled a gun on me, remember. It was his BROTHER that called me.”
“Maybe you should fuck his brother then.” She said it so seriously that for a second, I just stared at her. Then her lips curved upwards.
“Eww Layla, just ew.” I giggled.
“So you are still going?”
“I have to Layla. It’s the only way I am going to get over him.”
***
The airport was busy. People were milling about. Groups of friends, families, the odd businessman. All of them had smiles on their faces. They were happy.
And I couldn’t get out of the car.
All I could do was stare at them.
I could feel Layla’s eyes on me. The weight of them heavy against my back but I couldn’t move.
Why couldn’t I get out the damn car?
My flight was waiting. A flight that would take me to a brand new life. One where I wasn’t in love with a man who thought so little of me that he aimed a gun into my face.
Why didn’t I want to go?
Truth had made his feelings perfectly clear. More than crystal clear in fact. But somehow it felt unfinished.
I didn’t want a new life, I realised with a start. Not until I had had my say at least. Maybe then I would be able to move on properly.
Maybe.
“You ready to head home now?” Even with my back to her, Layla read me better than anyone else in the world.
“No.” Finally, I turned to her. “No, not yet. But you can drop me off at the bus stop.” I met her eyes. Knowing what she would say next. “You are going to him, aren’t you?”
Mutely I nodded. “Yes.”
“I’ll drive you.”
I hugged her quickly. “I love you, Lay, but no.” Shaking my head, I released her. “I am not sure what my welcome will be like. I won’t put you at risk. Not ever.”
“But you are going anyway.”
It wasn’t a question, but I answered it anyway. “I have to.”
