I never realized how loud silence can be. Itscreamsin the air between us, grating across my nerves like broken glass. Ifeelhis eyes lift, the heat of his stare burning the side of my cheek… but I refuse to look up.
After what may very well be an eternity, the elevator dings, finally reaching the basement level. I’m through the doors before they’re fully open, walking out to find a sleek black SUV waiting by the curb, and who I assume is Rí’s driver standing outside of it.
I turn to look at Rí, one eyebrow raised, but his attention is on the driver.Seriously, who the fuck is this guy?
“Take Rose here home for me, Garrett?”
Garrett nods. “You got it, Rí.” The driver steps forward, opening the rear passenger door for me, and while I’m momentarily caught off guard, I only waste another second before I dive into the back of the vehicle.
Looking back, I catch Rí watching me, arms across his chest again, tense as he works his jaw. He says nothing when I meet his gaze, still watching me with that icy expression.
Just as Garrett goes to shut the door, I lean forward, holding my middle finger high, and flashing him my teeth until the door cuts off his view of me.
He doesn’t move. Holding my stare through the mirrored glass as if he can still see me, and it’s not until Garrett pulls the SUV away from the curb, that the connection is finally severed.
46
NOTHING HAPPENED
BRIAR
Now
My head is pounding. Like a hundred tiny ballerinas are simultaneously curb stomping my skull. Forcing my eyes open, I let out a groan when I’m assaulted by the bright sunlight streaming in. I shut them tight again, reaching for the blankets, pulling them up to cover my face.
The material is —soft? Plush even. My eyes fly open under the protection of the dark blanket, immediately hyperaware that I’m not at home. I’m not inmybed. My sheets are nowhere near this nice.
Panic surges and I brave the light, sitting up with a start. I regret it seconds later, when the sudden movement throws my head into the spins, my stomach rolling alongside it.
Shit. “Where am I?” The question is unnecessary because a half second later, I know exactly where I am. The room… familiar, his scent…everywhere.
“You’re in my bed,” a cool, dark, and overly familiar voice answers, and I close my eyes tight. The clipped tone triggering my memory.
Hisrejection.
“Right… okay.” I swallow, opening my eyes and doing a sweep of the room until I find Koen. He’s not in the bed. Instead, he’s leaning up against the window alcove, holding a cup of coffee. Fully dressed, his eyes are locked on me.
An awkward silence falls over us and I move to get out of bed, freezing when I realize I’m not wearing my dress—just my panties, since I went braless last night.
“Nothing happened.”
My eyes slowly rise to meet Koen’s.
Oh, I know.
I remember.
He brought me back to his apartment.
He brought me back to his apartment…Why?
Koen didn’t have much to say, tossing a pair of girls’ sweats at me before handing me over to be Mac’s problem for the day.
I don’t linger. I get dressed quickly, so I can get a ride back to my apartment to change before heading to the Conservatory for showcase rehearsals.
Mac attempts to start a conversation, but after a few times of me shutting him down, we ride together in silence. I’m not in the best mental headspace. It turns out my memories from last night are patchy and my mood sours as I try to remember anything after we arrived at that club Koen brought me to, but there’s only bits and pieces.
‘Not interested,’ however, plays on repeat in my head.
