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Darren had tried to break me, removing everything in my life that mattered, so I’d only depend on him. And sadly, it had almost worked. I knew why Lark and Seb weren’t searching for me and why they weren’t as worried about my absence.
Because at the end, I’d made them think I didn’t care.
“If this is how you’re going to be when you’re here, why don’t you just leave? You’re not the same anymore, Cami. You’re moody, and it’s like walking on eggshells around you. It’s exhausting never knowing which version we’re gonna get. I know I urged you to go out with Darren, but…. “
“If you’re jealous, just say so.” I narrowed my eyes at her. I didn’t really mean it, but I couldn’t stop myself from acting out either. They didn’t know. They didn’t get it. Mostly because I’d never told them, but that wasn’t the life for them.
Lark sighed, and Seb just looked at me like he didn’t even know me anymore. His hazel eyes were sad, and he looked like he might melt into the floor. He sat open-legged on the stool, his hands pressed between his legs, making his forearms bunch. The muscles there were some of my favorites, and I licked my lips at the sight. I stared at him, urging him to understand. He shook his head, getting up, and something in me broke a little. Was I the problem? Or were they being unreasonable?
“Listen, Cami, we both love you. And this relationship it’s unconventional. So, if you need to stay with your older boyfriend for a month to get it out of your system, then fine. Just… I don’t know,” Lark sighed.
“Larky,” I walked forward, grabbing her arm. “I love you. I just want you to hang out with him again. Just see if we could all be more.”
“No. After the last disaster, we both told you that we don’t like who you are around him. He orders you around like you’re some brainless bimbo. I don’t like it, so no, I don’t want to hang out with him again, nor do I see us all being together.” She pulled her arm free, crossing it. I knew she was right, and I hated how I’d become as well, but I couldn’t seem to find my way out.
Sighing, I kissed her cheek and picked up the bag. “Okay, I guess I’ll see you guys in a week or so.” I turned and found Seb standing in the doorway; his face almost had me dropping the bag and staying. My phone buzzed, letting me know Darren was here, and it jolted me back to what I had to do. “I love you both.”
Seb didn’t say anything, just walked into the bedroom, shutting the door quietly. Lark gave me a watery smile and nodded. I didn’t miss how neither of them said it back or how my heart felt like it was breaking as I walked out.
I’d ask myself how I got into this mess, but I knew perfectly well. I was broken, and something in me felt I didn’t deserve their goodness, so I sought to destroy it.
Self-sabotage was my middle name.
Two days later, I had brunch with the girls and realized how deep I actually was. It hadn’t surprised me when I got caught. Part of me felt it was owed for what I’d thrown away.
Lark and Seb were my soulmates, and I’d made them feel like worthless pieces of trash. Saving my family from Darren was about more than just making sure he couldn’t hurt us. It was about proving I was worth it.
Peeking over, I felt myself drawn to the green-eyed guard. He was watching me again. Letting myself have one second, I stayed in his gaze, the comfort like a cozy blanket, warming me from the inside. I nodded in thanks, turning back to my task. Darren raised his voice, and I caught some of his conversations before he stood. “Don’t cross me. I’m in charge here.”
The man backed away, not saying anything. Before I could see who he was, he turned and stalked off in the other direction. Darren threw his napkin down, grabbed my hand, and pulled me down the other corridor. The guards followed, and I took one last look at my family as a plan began to emerge. I guess Darren’s plan was off for the night as we hurried to leave.
As I stepped through the doors, I made a vow to myself. This wouldn’t be how I said goodbye. Darren had taken a lot from me, but he wouldn’t have that.
Six
CAMILA
It had beentwo days since Darren had pulled me from the fancy party, a scowl on his face. He ranted under his breath the whole drive home, but didn’t touch me once. While I was grateful for the reprieve, my plans to seduce him for information were halted. Kind of hard to use your body for something when no one was looking at it.
Tossing the pillow up in the air, I blew out a breath as I caught it. I was beginning to miss the dank cell—at least it had something to entertain me. “Identifying that mold spore” had been a favorite of mine. But in this bland room, there was nothing but tan everywhere. Tan carpet. Tan bedding. Tan curtains. Tan walls.
I really hated the color tan.
Rolling over onto my stomach, I braced myself on my elbows, my hair falling down into my face. Combing it upside down, I braided it, almost making myself go crossed-eyed as I did it in front of my face. My door opened, and I sat up, the braid sticking up in the middle of my head like a unicorn horn.
It was rare that I got visitors. Only when I was meant to go somewhere, or the two times a day I got a meager meal. This time, it was a food delivery, but not by the kitchen staff that avoided my eyes, but my kind guard.
“Hi.”
He shut the door, walking over to bring the tray to the bed. He looked up when he placed it and stopped. I held his gaze, the green eyes my anchor these days. Smiling softly, I hoped to gain some more words from him. He was quiet, and my talkative nature didn’t know what to do.
“Thank you.”
He kept staring, and I wondered if I had something on my face, or perhaps the tan-ness of the room had started to rub off on me. I looked down but didn’t see anything on me. Maybe I was nose-blind to my own condition.
He cleared his throat, bringing my eyes back to him. The corners of his mouth tilted slightly, and he shuffled his feet. “You, um.” He motioned to my forehead, and I slapped it, remembering my impromptu upside-down braid.
“Oh, right. It’s the trend in Tantopia. Didn’t you get yourTanner’s Digest?”
