What an understatement.
This is dangerous, getting close to Victor. Do I have the right to insert myself into his life? What if Victor doesn’t win the fight and I can’t repay Charlie? My only option will be to run away and abandon everyone I love.
I love Victor.
My stomach twists.
No. No. Victor will win and I’ll be free of Charlie once and forever. But what’s the point then? He’s leaving for Las Vegas and I can’t follow. I can’t be part of his world.
Either way, I lose.
My brain keeps running different scenarios, going over different what-ifs, but in none of them do I get to keep the love of my life.
I stare at the white ceiling.
Life’s funny like this. Exactly when I find the person who brings me peace, who makes me happy, I have to let go of him.
I close my eyelids to stop the tears from pouring. And I must have fallen asleep, because when I open them again, it’s morning.
Abi walks with me to class and keeps asking if I’m okay. I plaster on my best smile and let her know I’ll tell her later. Maybe. I don’t feel like talking or doing anything. I want to stay in my bed forever, listening to music with my earbuds on. Drowning out the world.
“Hey, Tia.”
I yelp and drop my pen, realizing class is about to start. I didn’t notice when Abi left nor how I got to my seat.
I look up to meet Carter’s handsome face.
“Are you okay? I’ve been standing here for a while.”
I totally forgot he’s in my class. What excuse did I tell him about not going to the party?
“Oh, sorry. I’m still recovering from the food poisoning.”
I frown because my words don’t make any sense since my fake upset stomach happened a week ago.
Carter opens his mouth, but the professor’s voice interrupts him. He sits next to me, and the lecture starts. I have a hard time focusing on the material, images of Victor’s naked body fogging my mind. A few times Carter shifts his legs and I sense his eyes on me, but I ignore him.
It’s the longest hour of my life. I place my pen and notebook in my backpack with lightning speed.
“Tia, what are you doing this weekend?”
Oh, shoot. I stare at him, unable to come up with a coherent answer.
“I really want to get to know you better.”
I take a sharp breath.
“Me?” I gulp.
He laughs. “Yes, you. I like you.”
I straighten my back. “Now I’m confused.”
Carter is the handsome guy from my dream board, but I’m not the pretty lady glued next to him.
He materialized from my board to reality out of nowhere. But life is funny like that. Sometimes just a simple meeting with a stranger can make you realize a truth you’ve been denying.
“You’re so beautiful, but you don’t act like it—you don’t tease, don’t manipulate—because you don’t even realize it.”
