Her voice stayed calm and collected. I would have preferred if she shouted at me then slammed the door in my face.
Her words settle in my chest, the tightness creeping in. I hate not having Athena here with me. Hate that she wasn’t on the pit wall listening in. Hate that when I climbed out of that car, she wasn’t there waiting for me.
“Fuck,” I whisper, swiping my phone and keys, I don’t worry about grabbing my bag.
Running out of the unit, I don’t stop to talk. I need to get to her, and fast. I slide into my car, starting it up and the engine roars. Tapping my fingers on the steering wheel as I wait for my phone to connect, and once it has, I call Nora.
“Lexington.”
“Get me Athena’s address,” I snap, pulling out the carpark and heading towards the motorway.
“Erm, where are your manners?”
“Please.”
“Of course, I’ll send it over in—” I cut her off. I don’t have time to play.
My phone pings and I set it up on my sat nav before doing a U-turn and heading in the other direction. At least the drive would give me time to think about what I could do to tell her how sorry I was. I don’t think the words alone will be enough, though.
Calling Nora again, she answers on the first ring. “What do you want now?” she groans.
“I need a favour…” I smirk. “Please.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Athena
Curledup in my small home, I stare at the collection of snow globes. They once brought me peace, whereas now, they’re tarnished with him.
My phone buzzes and I look at it, lips turned down. I’m not the kind of girl that sits and self wallows over a man. Then again, I have neverfeltlike this before. I’m mad at myself.
I should be upset about my book deal falling through and my agent putting a pin in whatever this was I was doing. I am sad, but not as sad as I am about Royce.
I let myself get consumed by a fantasy. Let myself fall in love with a fictional world I was putting into paper but somehow, writing it into real life.
Edel’s name is flashing on my screen. Letting it ring off; I make a note to call her back. She calls again. My brows furrow.
With a heavy sigh, I answer. “What?”
“Oh, hello to you too.” I can tell she’s smiling.
“I’m in no mood.”
“Well, that’s about to change.” Her voice trails off as I hear a knock at the door.
Dropping the phone onto the sofa, I pull myself out of my armchair and look down at my attire. I’m dressed in pyjamabottoms with croissants dotted over and an oversized jumper. My hair is scraped on top of my head. I look a mess.
Looking through the peep hole, I see Edel, Nora, and Anaïs. My brows furrow as I unlock the door and let them in.
Nora looks around the cramped space. It’s not much I know, but it’s home. They follow me through to the living room and I slump back down in the armchair.
“Get up.” Anaïs claps her hands together.
“No, thank you,” I mutter, turning my face away. I was so immature.
“Get up,” Edel says this time a little sterner.
“Why?” I pout.
