“I don’t think I can handle her rejection a second time.” I finally admit the truth.
“You can, and you would.” A stern expression crosses his face. “Find your fucking balls, Dil, and go see her. At least you’ll have closure, one way or another, instead of existing in this limbo state. We are on the verge of achieving our wildest dreams, and you can’t fully enjoy it because you’re too preoccupied with her.” He holds up his hands when I open my mouth to protest. “Not that I’m complaining. The new stuff you’re writing is exceptional, but I hate seeing you like this. We all do.”
“Guess I’m not fooling anyone, huh?”
“You don’t make it obvious, but we know you, and we fucking care. I’m saying this now because I fucking love you.” He slaps a hand over his heart. “When you hurt, we hurt. Don’t ruin this experience because you’re pining for her. It’s time to stop licking your wounds and go do something about it. You wouldn’t be my best mate if you didn’t.”
48
AGE 20 TO 21
This was a mistake. I should go before she shows up and sees me. But my feet remain rooted to the ground within the small cluster of trees I’m hiding behind. Vivien’s apartment building is across the road, and I have a perfect vantage point from here. Luckily, Ash already had her address, and a bit of sleuthing on my part coughed up Viv’s schedule, so I know her last class of the day finished twenty minutes ago, and I’m hoping she’ll show up soon. It’s not that far of a walk from UCLA to here.
The entrance to the apartment building is protected by a keypad, and the front desk area is manned by round-the-clock security personnel, according to their website, so I didn’t even bother trying to get inside. I don’t like the idea of approaching her outside as Westwood Village is a busy spot with tons of people coming and going all the time, but I don’t have any other choice.
Though I’m not recognizable yet, I still took precautions, wearing a cap to hide my distinctive hair and sunglasses, which cover a good portion of my face. Back home, wearing shades when it’s almost dark would be cringey as fuck. Over here, I fit right in with all the other pretentious dicks.
Rubbing my clammy hands down the front of my ripped jeans, I narrowly avoid the temptation to look at my watch again. Now that I’ve decided to grow a pair, I’m desperate to talk to Vivien. To find out if there’s any hope left or if she’s written me off completely.
Nerves fire at me from all angles as the clock ticks, elevating with each passing minute. By the time it’s pitch-black outside, my shades are off, and I’m seriously considering going home. If I stay here much longer, I’ll probably get arrested for loitering. I’ve only walked two feet toward my bike when she finally appears, rounding the corner with her Americanbestie.
If I wasn’t so fucking anxious, I’d laugh at my own thought. Plenty of Viv’s Americanisms rubbed off on me in the same way I think plenty of my Irishisms rubbed off on her. My breath falters in my throat as I scoot behind a tree and follow her movement with my eyes. My heart is ping-ponging around my chest, and butterflies are rioting in my stomach. My fingers twitch as electricity zips through my body like lightning. She still affects me like crazy.
As she walks under the lights at the side of her building, it’s as if Viv just stepped under a spotlight, and I now have an up close and personal view. Pain is visceral as I drink her features in for the first time in months. Although she looks pale and there are bruising circles under her eyes, she still sucks all the air from my lungs. Fuck, she’s so goddamn gorgeous. Her beautiful curves are hidden under an open coat and a shapeless baggy jumper. Paired with black leggings and black boots, it’s an unassuming look that’s totally her, but she still looks stunning.
Vivien clamps a hand over her mouth, and Audrey snakes her arm around her shoulders, hurrying them towards the front door.
Every nerve ending in my body cries out for her, and my feet move of their own volition, only slamming to a halt when I spotthe large bulky male trailing the girls a few feet back. Astute eyes scan the area around the two women as they walk towards the entryway, and his body language confirms he’s primed to swing into action at the first sign of danger. Shite! I’m going to lose her if I don’t go now, but the obvious bodyguard has me second-guessing myself.
Who is he, and who hired him? Viv? Her parents? Reeve?Acid churns in my gut like sour milk, and I can only stare helplessly as Vivien and Audrey enter the building, closely followed by The Rock wannabe.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. Air expels from my mouth as I kick the bark of a tree in frustration, wondering what to do now. The chickenshit part of my persona wants to flee, but I’m not a coward. Jay is right. I’ve got to man up and talk to her. I’m striding across the road a few minutes later, having decided to announce myself to security and request they let her know I’m here and I’d like to talk to her, when a chauffeur-driven car pulls up to the curb. My instincts are on high alert, so I do a quick U-turn and dash back under the protective cover of the trees.
A guy in a black suit climbs out from behind the wheel and opens the back door.
Bile swims up my throat as a tall, toned figure gets out of the car, carrying a big box of what appears to be chocolates. Another man gets out the other side of the car, rounding the rear and waiting on the sidewalk. His broad frame and sharp gaze confirm his bodyguard status as he checks out the area while his charge ducks down, reaching for something inside the car.
When the guy pops back up, he’s cradling a massive bouquet of flowers in his free hand. While his head is tipped down, he’s wearing a cap and shades, and his features aren’t easily identifiable, I know who he is.
Shock renders me frozen as I stare at my twin in the flesh for the first time.
Reeve straightens, looking around for a few beats, before his bodyguard says something to him. Anger locks my muscles up even tighter when I spot a few lilies perched between the purple roses in the bouquet.
Fuck him.
And fuck her.
I should have trusted my instincts from the start. Instead, I listened to my sister and Jamie and allowed hope to tentatively bloom in my heart.
But I was right all along.
Sheisback with him.
They’re just playing it much smarter this time. Keeping it hidden to avoid the paparazzi attention.
Fuck this.
Those two manipulative assholes deserve one another.
