Page 86 of Ricochet
Pull.
Electricity.
That undercurrent of familiarity I felt toward him coursed through my veins, even though I knew I never saw him before. Then why was I feeling this way? Cars were passing between us, but the way he was looking at me, I had a feeling he could see my soul.
And for the first time, I didn’t want to run in the opposite direction, because I wanted to see him as well.
“Where are you going?” I halted mid-step at the sound of Ava’s voice behind me. I turned around and saw the confused look on her face, quickly realizing that I’ve been just a couple of steps away from crossing the street. “Are you okay?”
I started shaking my head, trying to get rid of the weird sensations coursing through my body. A quick glance to the spot where he stood told me he wasn’t there anymore, and my heart squeezed at the mere notion that I missed my chance.
Oh, for fucks sake, Ophelia. Snap out of it, I chastised myself.
“Phee?”
“I’m fine.” I smiled at her. “Did you get everything you needed?”
“Yeah,” she answered skeptically. “Are you sure you’re okay, though?”
“Yep, all fine. All good.”
“Riiight.”
I took a bag from her hand, opening it and seeing a pregnancy test inside. For the second time in just a couple of minutes, my heart squeezed painfully, understanding what this meant.
“Are you sure about this?” She laughed bitterly.
“Well, even if I wasn't, the baby is still there. I mean, if I really was pregnant.”
“I know. Fuck.” I rubbed my temple. “You know what this would mean for you and Nathan, right?”
“I do, but...” she stuttered.
“This is what you wanted. I know, trust me, I really do. And I will do everything I can to take you guys out of Croyford Bay and far away from our families. Even if you aren’t pregnant, I think it’s time for you to go.”
“What do you mean? Why?” She took a bag from me, a frown forming between her eyebrows.
“I mean, we are both almost twenty-one now. Don’t you remember the deal I made with my father?”
“Of course I do, but,” she lowered the tone of her voice, “you think they would really make us go ahead with these weddings? You and Kieran aren’t even together anymore.”
Slice.
Slice.
Slice.
Just cut my heart in two, why don’t you?
But I couldn’t tell her that. Ava didn’t know the full span of our breakup, and I would rather leave those details for myself. After all, it wasn’t her fault her brother couldn’t keep his fucking dick in his pants. If I ever heard another “but it was an accident” story, I was going to puke. Did he somehow stumble and his dick accidentally landed inside of Cynthia’s pussy? Unbelievable son of a bitch.
“Ophelia?” My mind jumped back to the present time, and I registered concern shining from her eyes. “You’re clenching your hands again.”
“Fuck.” I tried relaxing again, but the mere thought of Kieran was sending me into murderous rages these days. On top of that, my father was quite literally singing about the wedding I didn’t want to happen.
How could I marry a person who stomped on my heart when he fully knew how I felt about that whole thing? How could I pretend to be content with this constant control they had over my life?
“I’m sorry, Phee.” She squeezed my arm, and the small gesture almost sent me into another fit of anger. I was familiar with anger, comfortable in its embrace. I just didn’t deal well with other emotions. Especially the pity I could see written all over her face.
