“What brought on the change of heart?” I’m beyond curious. I have a feeling this all came from East. He did such a great job of looking after me over the weekend; and if he, like me, thinks these assholes were behind it, I wouldn’t put it past him to call them out on their shit.
Finley looks back toward me, while Lincoln scowls, and Maverick fidgets. I’m not surprised Maverick leaves the talking to the others. He’s always been the kind to fix things with his fists and leave diplomacy to everyone else. Even when we were kids, things were the same.
It’s Lincoln who steps forward to answer my question, and hiscold princedemeanor he wears so well is back. “We have more important things to worry about. If you want to be back here, so be it; but don’t come running to us when your world’s crumbling.”
“She doesn’t need to run to you assholes,” Indi chirps up, and I can’t help but laugh.
“What she said. But whatever,” I say with a shrug, lying back on the lounger. “I’ll accept the truce. I didn’t start this mess anyway. Make sure to call off your bloodhound. If you think Blair is going to take your new declaration lying down, you’ve got another thing coming.”
“We can handle Blair,” Lincoln grinds out.
His jaw is clenched, and his shoulders are stiff, showing me just how pissed off my words have him. I’m glad. I don’t want to let them see that I’m a mess inside. That I’m afraid to go back into my house after this weekend. If he’s angry, he won’t see it. They don’t need to see or know any of that. “Then we have a deal.”
* * *
Indi didn’t go home until after we ate dinner. When she left, I locked all the doors and set the alarms; and I’ve hid out in the theatre room ever since. This house is too goddamn big to be in alone. Especially when I jump at every little noise. Indi did offer to stay the night, but honestly, I hate putting that on her.
I don’t want to be afraid.
So it’s time to sit up and get on with it.
I take a deep breath before I leave the room, making sure all the lights are off.
Do I run through the dark house to the next lit room? You bet your fucking ass I do. I repeat my ridiculous routine until I’m in the kitchen and all that’s left to do is reset the alarm and go upstairs.
I take another deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. My hands shake as I set the alarm for overnight and prepare myself to race to my room. I left the light on up there earlier. I know it’s bad for the environment, but dammit, so is my car. It makes me feel safer knowing the light’s on, and right now, I need that feeling.
I flip the switch for the light in the kitchen and haul ass through the entrance hall and up the stairs. I’m practically panting by the time I reach my room and slam the door behind me. Leaning against my door, I suck in air until my heartbeat slows.
This is ridiculous. But fuck it. No one’s here to watch it.
At least, I hope.
I check the room, the closet, the ensuite, and even under the fucking bed to make sure I’m alone before making sure the balcony door’s locked; and then I lock my bedroom door, completing my barrier from the rest of the house. The only thing getting me out of here is a fucking fire.
Please, fucking Jesus, do not jinx me.
Once I’m positive the room’s secure, I finally get ready for bed. I can’t help but wonder what exactly brought on the white flag that was waved earlier today, but I’m not going to question it. Well, not too hard anyway.
I slide between the sheets and turn off the light before trying to lie down and close my eyes, but every time I do, I see the inside of the cupboard.
I put a podcast on, murder and makeup probably isn’t the best thing to fall asleep to, but it’s what I have, so it’s what’s happening; and I can’t help but wish someone else was here with me. But at least now, maybe with their truce, I’ll finally have a good week.
A girl can dream.
Chapter Twenty
Islept like absolute fucking shit. Nightmares plagued me all night, so to say there are bags beneath my eyes might be the understatement of the century. If I managed even an hour of sleep, I’d be amazed.
I pull up at school with Indi in the Wrangler almost holding my breath. Despite the white flag that was waved yesterday, there’s a part of me that doesn’t trust it, even though East was there. It’s not like he was in on the bullshit that came before, so why would they listen to him now?
The whole Finley stepping out on Lincoln to agree with East thing has me off kilter too.
None of it quite makes sense to me, but if the truce means the rest of this year is going to be easier, I’ll grab onto it with both hands.
Now, if I can just get past my own trauma to actually sleep properly again, life will be great.
“I still can’t believe you passed on sugary goodness for espresso.” Indi shakes her head at me as she pulls into a parking spot. “There’s nothing good about pure espresso.”