And I absolutely hate it.
It’s a gift you give a high-maintenance girlfriend at your five-year anniversary or some shit. It’s not the dollar-store knick-knack Kai kept for years, with the letter he never sent. The one where he was still the same boy I fell in love with in the woods.
“This must have cost a fortune,” I rasp.
“That’s what credit cards are for.”
“You shouldn’t have,” I try again.
But he’s not fucking getting it. He just keeps staring at me, a silly, hopeful smile on his lips that makes my chest ache.
“You deserve the best, Heavenly. Not some fake piece of crap. Did you see the sapphires?” He rubs a thumb over the glittering blue stones set in the wings of the butterfly. “They’re like your eyes.”
They’re so fucking not.
One day I’ll tell him that.
One day, when I’m braver and he’s readier to hear it, I’ll explain that the cheap one was priceless.
But not today.
Today he’s too happy, and I’m too much of a coward.
“Here.” He gestures for me to turn around. “Let me.”
I gather my hair, holding it up while he fastens the clasp at the nape of my neck. His fingers brush my skin, feather-light, and I shiver.
“There.” His lips press against my shoulder. “Perfect. Just like you.”
I can’t face him, so I keep my back turned while I drag the pendant along the chain. It doesn’t even feel like the other one did. It’s heavier, smoother.
God, I fucking hate it so much…but I don’t dare say a word, because that would mean shattering the joy on his face. So I reach behind me, grabbing his hand and dragging it between my legs. Forcing his fingers inside me and rubbing my clit so hard it hurts.
It doesn’t take long for him to pull me onto his lap and thrust inside me. I don’t stop him—I welcome the distraction. Because the last thing I want to do is replay our childhood games right now.
I might just start crying.
I’m almost about to come when my phone buzzes on the nightstand.
I jolt at the sound, and then again when Kai’s notification sound chimes.
“Leave it,” Kai mumbles into my hair.
“We both got a message,” I say, already reaching for my phone.
Kai makes an unhappy sound when I fall back against him, phone in my hand.
My heart stutters when I see the notification from VibeFeed.
@inherentvicesent a voice message.
“What?” Kai peers over my shoulder, and I don’t try to hide my screen.
“It’s…Bastian.”
“I can see that. Just fucking delete it.”
“It’s a voice note.”
