I’m steps away from the front door when she jumps to her feet.
“Ivan! Wait.”
I worry that I’ll spook her if I make too many sudden movements, so I’m careful and deliberate as I let go of my suitcase and walk back to the table. She’s wringing her hands together, not looking up from her feet.
A white sock with little pink bows on one foot. Chipped black polish on the other.
“I think you should stay.”
Her soft words have air rushing out of my lungs. “What?”
After too long a beat, she drags her eyes up to meet mine. “I think you should stay.”
“But-”
“Derrick should go.”
Chapter Twenty
“Derrick should go.”
The words are a knife to my heart. I bite my cheek to keep from crying out in pain.
She wants me to leave.
I don’t know why I’m surprised.
I guess that I thought that, because she knows my face and voice, she’d want me to stay. But knowing my face doesn’t make her feel comfortable with me, it would seem.
Maybe a better packmate would have fought Ivan, saying I should be the one to leave, not him, but I never claimed to be a selfless man. If anything, I’ve proven that I am selfish to my core when it comes to Ariana.
I didn’t think she’d tell me to go. The possibility of it never crossed my mind.
“What?” Ivan’s voice reveals his desperation to stay, and I don’t have it in me to be mad at him for it. Of course, he wants to stay. Who wouldn’t? Now that I’ve met her, any time away from Ariana will feel like I’ve lost a piece of myself.
“I think it’s better for Derrick to go.I…”
She won’t look at me. At least look at me in the eye when you break my heart, Onion.
“I think it’s better for all of us if I get to know you two away from him.”
That’s it, then. At least I didn’t ruin everything for my pack with my lies.
Just for myself.
My body is on autopilot as I push myself to my feet. I have to pack. I can’t stay in this house any longer, knowing she doesn’t want me here. Maybe, when I’m out, I’ll break down.
But not before then.
I have to hold it together for her. I won’t let her feel guilty for making this decision.
After all, I am the face of her deception.
I’m the villain in her story.
Grant follows me into the room, hovering over me as I pack my clothes.
“Derrick. Say something.”
