There was a playful gleam in her eyes, but she gave me a knowing look—like she knew I was running.
“Come on, Swan Lake.” Neon turned with difficulty, trying to steady her crutches. “Wraith has someplace to be, and you have goddamn pancakes to make—which are terrible, by the way.”
Alyx smiled, and she reeked of happiness.
I took a step back, about to turn when Alyx asked, “I guess we’ll be seeing you around?
Suspicion tingled the back of my neck, her tone of voice suddenly dropping with the slightest hint of dislike. “Um,” I turned to face her again, “maybe.”
“Okay. I know this is none of my business—”
“Alyx,” Neon interrupted, but Alyx ignored her.
“Onyx really seems to like you. I’ve been here for months, and I’ve never seen him bring another woman to his room before. I’m guessing you’re, I dunno,” she shrugged, “special to him somehow.”
“Okay,” I muttered with caution.
“It’s just, Onyx is like a brother to me. I don’t want to see him get hurt.”
“Jesus,” Neon muttered under her breath.
My eyes narrowed. “And you think I’ll hurt him.”
“No. Not at all. I just care for him a lot. That’s all.”
I scrutinized her, not entirely sure whether this was a polite or a confrontational kind of conversation we were having here. Maybe it was simply another sign for me to get the fuck out of there. “So,” I started walking backward, “I’m gonna go.”
I turned, hauling ass in the other direction and down the stairs. The faster I walked, the more it felt like I needed to rush. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t focus on one single coherent thought, and it felt like there was no longer any gravity keeping me grounded.
Stepping outside the bar, I took a deep breath, but it felt like the air got lodged in my throat, unable to fill my lungs. My pulse was racing, my stomach twisted inside out. Glancing from the door of the bar to my motorcycle, I stood there, unsure of what I needed to do. But for as long as I could remember, I knew where my home was, or rather—who. No matter what happened between me and Onyx, how it made me feel to be with him, there was a driving force that flowed through me like the blood in my veins, urging me to go back to the place where I belonged.
* * *
I closedthe door to my bedroom, and the click of the lock might as well have been the sound of my heart hitting the floor. I had always felt like I had this immense weight on my shoulders, and over the years, that weight had become a part of my existence. But today it felt different, heavier, like it threatened to crush me at any second.
Letting out a breath, I leaned with my head against the closed door.
“Long day?”
“Jesus Christ!” I jolted, placing my hand on my forehead. I looked over to the window, the familiar frame of a man hidden in the shadow. My window was set on the west side of the building, the morning sun not reaching my room yet. “What are you doing in my room?”
“You didn’t come home last night. I was worried.”
“I’m fine.” I took off my jacket, tossing it on my bed. “If you don’t mind, I’m tired. I just want to get some sleep.”
“Where were you?”
“I was out.” I tied my hair behind my head, placing my hands on my hips. He was still standing in the shadows, unmoving. Even though I couldn’t see him, I could feel his eyes on me. It was burning right through my flesh.
“You could have called.”
“I didn’t think I had to.”
“It’s called common courtesy.”
I rubbed my forehead. “Please, stop. I’m tired. Can we do this after I’ve had some sleep?”
“I have another job for you.”