Page 65 of Addicted

I gave him Aurora’s address and he nodded, pulling out of the estate gates.

As we drove, I stared out the window watching the scenery change from the secluded, tree-lined roadsnear Stone’s estate to the more familiar streets of the city. It felt surreal to be out in the world again after being confined for so long.

I pulled out the thick bands of cash Stone had left for me. It was easily several thousand dollars rubber-banded together. He’d left them on the dresser with another note:Get whatever you need.

I didn’t need shit. But Aurora did. And I was about to spoil my best friend the way she deserved.

The drive took about an hour. When we finally pulled up outside Aurora’s apartment building, my heart started racing.

I was nervous and I didn’t know why.

This was Aurora, my best friend since high school, the one person who always had my back no matter what.

“I’ll wait here. Troy gon’ follow you up,” Javion said, putting the SUV in park. “Take your time.”

I nodded and grabbed the Chanel bag, clutching it in my hands as I stepped out of the vehicle.

My heels clicked against the pavement as I walked up to Aurora’s building with Troy trailing behind me. I climbed the stairs to the second floor, my heart pounding harder with each step.

When I reached her door, I took a deep breath. Then I knocked as Troy stood off to the side.

For a moment, there was nothing, until I heard footsteps approaching, and the door swung open.

Aurora stood there in a tank top and shorts, her hair wrapped in a silk scarf, her face bare of makeup.

She looked at me. Blinked. Then her eyes went wide as saucers.

“BITCH!” she screamed, her voice so loud I wassure the whole building heard her. “WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN?!”

Before I could answer, she grabbed my arm and yanked me inside, slamming the door shut behind us.

She looked me up and down, taking in the designer clothes, the jewelry, the expensive bag in my hands.

“Indie, what the hell is going on?” she demanded, her hands on her hips. “You just went missing! No calls, no texts, nothing! And now you popping up in head-to-toe designer and dripped in diamonds? Girl, I thought you were dead!”

“I know, I know,” I said quickly, holding up my hands. “I’m sorry, Rora. I’m so sorry. Can we sit down? I need to explain everything.”

Aurora stared at me for another long moment, her eyes searching my face like she was trying to figure out if I was real. Then she nodded and led me to the couch.

We sat down, and I turned to face her, the Chanel bag still in my lap.

“First,” I said, “I brought you a gift. As a peace offering for disappearing on you.”

I held out the bag.

Aurora’s eyes went wide again as she took it from me, running her hands over the quilted leather.

“Indie... is this real?” she whispered.

“Yeah,” I said. “It’s yours.”

“Oh my God,” she breathed, clutching the bag to her chest like it was a newborn baby. “Thank you, bestie! I love it! This is beautiful!”

She set the bag carefully on the coffee table, then turned back to me with a serious expression.

“But you still ain’t off the hook,” she said. “What the fuck is going on? Where have you been?”

I took a deep breath, then I told her everything.