27
ALEX
“Teya! Teya! Open the damn door!”
I pace like a lunatic on the front steps of my sister’s house, heart pounding, fists slamming against the solid oak door.
“Teya, comeon!”I shout again, voice cracking. “Please!”
Damn it.
This was a reckless decision. So fucking reckless.
I look up at the cloudy sky and shiver. It’s late. Cold.
I had the car service drop me off here, in Connecticut, leaving Elijah sleeping soundly in my bed.
What the hell was I thinking?
I wasn’t.
If I’d taken even one breath to think, I wouldn’t be standing here like this—heart racing, hands numb, guilt swallowing me whole.
I let my anger get the best of me. I could’ve walked away. I could’ve yelled, or thrown something, or said the million things that were burning in my throat.
But instead… I fucked him. Hard. Desperate. Confused.
Again, I rap my knuckles on the door, cursing myself for forgetting my spare key. I hadn’t wanted to wake Elijah. That’s why I slipped out quietly, grabbing whatever I could and shoving it into an overnight bag before the guilt caught up with me.
To be clear, it wasn’t my plan to leave him alone. Hell, it wasn’t my plan to leave himat all.
If anything, I wanted to stay. Wrapped up in the warmth of his arms, tangled in the scent of his skin.
But I couldn’t stop crying… or being mad… or loving him...orfucking wanting to kill him. I was a waterboard of emotions.
I shove my hand through my hair, obviously not having thought this last-minute decision through.
I should have called Teya on my way over, like any normal person would have. It’s too late now. It’s dark outside, and there’s a sharp bite to the air; the wind is picking up and moaning like a child as it moves through the trees.
Shivering, having now been standing outside for a full five minutes, pounding on the door, my annoyance is at an all-time high. Along with the blustery wind. Not to mention, my knuckles are sore as fuck. Her cell must be off because I’ve tried calling that too.
I raise my fist to the door one final time and breathe a sigh of relief when I see a light flip on in the kitchen.
Fucking finally.
The hallway light follows and then the porch, where I’m standing with a sour expression on my face.
“Alex, what the hell? Is everything alright?” Teya appears, sleep heavy in her eyes, along with surprise when she sees me slumped over in defeat, overnight bag in hand.
“Can I come in?”
She reaches out, grabs my duffel bag, and steps aside. “Of course. Come in, come in.”
As I walk down the hallway, I’m swallowed up by the familiar surroundings of home. Floral wallpaper still decorates the walls. It’s aged in color, and I’m not a fan of the pattern, but it brings me comfort nonetheless. I drag my fingers along the seam of the paper as I make my way to the kitchen, where I know my sister stores her wine. She’s already reaching for two glasses, as I head straight for the wine fridge and grab the first bottle that makes contact with my impatient hand.
“Red it is!” I declare as she hands over a corkscrew.
I fumble with opening the bottle as I’m in such a rush to get alcohol into my bloodstream. My nerves are so fried that I actually entertain the idea of ditching the glass and drinking straight from the bottle—if I can only get the damn thing open!
