“Did you fuck her?” I ask. Jasmine said that Trenton had went up to the office to speak to Trey and that was when he saw Lucy and Grave all over each other sitting at the table, but no one mentioned sex.
His jaw sharpens. “I don’t know.”
My chest tightens at his answer, and those tears return to my eyes.
He sighs and steps toward me. “April …”
“Don’t.” I throw my hands up. I’m disgusted with him and with myself. I think I’m going to get sick at the thought of him with her. When he was supposed to have been with me.
“I was fucked up,” he growls.
I gasp. “That doesn’t make it okay, Grave.”
“I’m sorry …”
“Don’t fucking lie to me!” I shout. Jasmine was right. I wanted him to want me. I wanted him to love me like I do him, but I can’t compete with someone like Lucy. She gives him something I never will. Acceptance. “I can’t be with someone who chooses to do drugs and fuck around on me. I refuse to lower myself to that level. I respect myself too much for that.”
With that, I turn, yank the door open, and then slam it shut. I look over my shoulder to see he didn’t follow me.
I didn’t expect him to.
I walk down the hallway and enter the spare laundry room that Emilee showed me last night. I open the dryer to see if my dress is clean. Emilee was kind enough to bring us back here last night and help me out of my soiled clothes. I shut it when I see it’s empty. “Shit.” I hope it’s still not in the washer. I open it up, and that too is empty. I go to leave but see my dress folded on top of the dryer.
Thank you, Emilee.
I quickly get dressed and drop the T-shirt in the small dirty clothes hamper. I hear voices downstairs in the kitchen, and I make my way down to them, carrying my heels in my hand from last night. Titan stands at the kitchen island with his back leaning against it and his arms crossed over his chest. Memories of last night come back to me.
The door busts open, and Titan enters with Emilee.
“I don’t know what happened,” I cry. My hands covered in vomit. “He just started getting sick.”
“Grave?” Titan slaps his face. He doesn’t move. “Grave, wake the fuck up, man!” he shouts, snapping his fingers in front of his face.
Still nothing.
“Get the door,” he orders to Emilee before he picks Grave up.
Emilee stands at the oven, pulling muffins out of it.
“Thank you for everything,” I say, getting their attention.
They both look up at me. She gives me a sad smile. “Of course. I’m glad we could help.”
Titan says nothing.
“I’m going to get going,” I say awkwardly, pulling my dress down. It’s not short by any means, but I just feel vulnerable.
“Titan can give you a ride home,” Emilee offers.
“No.” I shake my head. “I’m gonna call an Uber.”
“Nonsense.” She waves me off.
Without another word, he pushes off the kitchen island, gives her a long kiss, and then walks toward me. I follow him silently into the garage. We get into a candy apple red Maserati and then he pulls out of the garage. I give him my address and then go silent again.
Twenty minutes later, he pulls up to my house, and I thank him. As I go to get out of the car, he finally speaks. “Grave isn’t like the rest of us.”
It makes me pause. I turn to look at him, waiting for him to elaborate.
He runs a hand down his face before releasing a sigh. “I told him to back away from you.” His eyes burn into mine at his words. “That whatever is going on between you two, to call it off. And I stand by that decision.” My heart pounds at his confession. “He’s not someone you can change, April. And you’re not the type of woman to accept what he has to offer.” Then he turns to look straight ahead, dismissing me.
Numbly, I open the door and get out. I’m still standing there in complete shock at his words when he drives out of sight. He just said what I already told Grave, but that doesn’t make the pain in my chest hurt any less.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
GRAVE
I RIDE THE elevator up to the fifteenth floor in the South Mason Towers. I still feel like fucking shit. My mouth dry and my head pounds. Chest so tight it’s hard to breathe. I feel like someone is sitting on it. I should be in bed, passed the fuck out, but this couldn’t wait. I have something to say.
She’s not expecting me. I didn’t want to give away the surprise. I come to a stop, and the door slides open. I storm down the hallway and knock on the only door to the right. And wait.