Page 39 of Shattered Queens: Veronica
I saw Veronica a handful of times after that night. In each encounter, we treated one another with disdain, acting as if the garden had never happened. Then she pretended as though I never existed.
Veronica
Chapter 20
I feellike shitremembering last night and falling back into bad habits. As soon as I left Cam’s—no, Miles’s—apartment and went to mine, I headed straight to my bedroom. I dug through my top dresser until I found what I was looking for, a small contact case, only I don’t wear contacts. I opened it and found two pills. I usually take ecstasy, but those are more for relaxing. I haven’t taken any recently. It’s a secret stash I’d forgotten about.
I set a pill underneath my tongue, as always, and walked to my kitchen, where I poured myself a glass of vodka. I thought it would help me feel better. I know this isn’t the best way to deal with my problems. It’s just another way of me trying to escape. A few minutes later, his friend arrived to examine me—Tomas was his name. But the pills had kicked in, and my senses beganto numb.
He asked me questions, and I half answered them. I can’t remember when he left, but the moment I heard the door close, the dam broke. I don’t remember when or how, but I managed to make it to my bed.
I don’t believe in miracles, but I do today because it took one to get here. I’m still in shock that Miles and Cam are one. I was manipulated and made a fool of, once again. We were never friends. Everything up to this point was disingenuous. Me moving into this apartment was a way for my brothers to keep me under control. When has that worked for them? Or me?
If my brothers think they’re going to get away with this, they are mistaken. There are people counting on me today, and as shitty as I feel, I can’t let them down. I don’t even know how I make it to the park to coordinate the event. Every fiber of my being wants to crawl back into bed, but this isn’t about me. This event is for the families. The team hasbeen working so hard, and I don’t want to disappoint them.
Yuri’s studio is here to provide free wellness information, Nina’s gym will be providing free self-defense classes, Theo and his company are catering the event, and my father is assisting, since he bulldozed his way into helping. I see Serena and my brother Ian. They’re playing games with the children. My brother is smiling, so unlike him. Only she can bring out this side of him. God help anyone who dates his kids. I put my brothers in charge of providing the children’s entertainment. Ian was very excited about that. Now that he’s “tied down” to Serena—his words, not mine—he’s excited about the possibility of becoming a dad. So he hired a couple of bouncy houses, a face painting artist, and a fucking magician for the kids. A magician? That man hates party tricks. My mother is mingling with people, providing encouragement about the services and resources.
“Here you go. It seems like you need it.” Andrew hands me a water.
“Is it that obvious?” I try to smile, but my spirit is shattered.
“It looks like you're still recovering from last night's party.” He laughs.
“If that were only the case.” He looks at me to elaborate, but I don’t.
We hear a volunteer shout his name. “Well, I’m being summoned.” Before he turns to leave, he looks at me. “Veronica, if you ever want to join us on a night out or just talk, let me know. I'm a great listener.” I’ve never been into older men, but Andrew is very handsome. Maybe that’s what I need—an older, mature man.
The day goes by in a blur, which I’m grateful for since it keeps me from thinking about last night. My parents leave; my father and Theo did a great job. Although I could tell Dad tried to insert himself too much. Theo was about to lose it. So Mom decided it was time they headed home.
“Thanks for staying to help with the cleanup,” I tell Serena but ignore my brother. I’ve been giving him the cold shoulder all day. I need to confront the overbearing asshole, but I’ll have to wait until everyone is gone. I’m ready to explode.
“Vee.” Serena grabs my attention. “I should be thanking you for everything that you’re doing. This was amazing. I know the families, especially the kids, enjoyed it.”
I hug the woman who’s become like a sister to me. I know there are things going on, but I don't push her to share. She’ll let me know when she’s ready. What I do know is that it has to do with Yuri. Also, Gabe has been super busy recently. I hope one thing isn’t related to the other.
“So, are you going to tell me why you’re mad at me?” My brother interrupts the moment.
I turn to look at him. “Are you sure you want me to do this here?” I challenge.
“I’m not afraid of you, little sister.” He smiles. If the devil were walking, it would be in the form of my brother Ian. So I'll hit him where it hurts. I turn to Serena, and I can see through my peripheral vision that the smile my brother was flaunting has now been replaced by worry. Good.
“Serena, did you know Cam and Miles are the same person? And he, along with my brothers, tricked me into living at my current apartment, across from him. So they can keep tabs on me?”
It doesn’t take long for her to turn on him. “Ian, you did what?!” she shouts in her stern boss-bitch voice.
I turn to face my brother with a grin. Payback is a bitch. Because we’ve all learned that Serena being mad at him is his personal hell.
“Serena, baby, let me explain.”
“Don’t Serena baby me, Ian. We talked about you backing off and letting her live her life. And Cam is Miles? Miles as in hacking into my phone? As in the cameras? That Miles?”
“Yes, baby, that Miles,” my pussy-whipped brother admits.
She then turns to me. “Do you want to come and stay with us?”
“Mi Reina.” My brother tries to interrupt.
“Don’t Mi Reina me!” She scolds him like a child. God, this woman is impressive as hell.
