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Stepping up to her door, I knocked sharply and waited, shifting on my feet in impatience. I heard movement inside, so someone was there. Knocking harder this time, I called out, “Natalie, open the door!”
Still nothing. I ran my hand through my hair. Fuck. She was going to make this difficult.
Again, I pounded on the door like a maniac. “The least you could do is talk to me! I’m not leaving until you do!”
The door swung open, but it was Lizzie who stood behind the door, firing icicles at me with her eyes. How had things changed so quickly? I thought Lizzie and I were on solid ground. “What do you want?” she hissed between her teeth.
“Where is she?”
“None of your damn business.” She tried to shut the door.
“Oh, yeah?” I flattened my hand on the door and used enough force to push it open as she stumbled back in surprise. I gripped her arm, making sure she didn’t fall because I wasn’t a complete asshole, regardless of what Natalie thought of me.
Lizzie yanked her arm away. “You are a piece of work, aren’t you?”
I didn’t come here to trade barbs. I glanced around the room. “Natalie!”
“She’s not here.” Lizzie flounced, slapping a hand on her hip. “I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but you’ve done enough.”
“I’m trying to win her back.”
“Oh, that’s just rich.” She laughed. Pointing at me, she added, “You had me, you know. I thought you truly had an interest in her. I thought you really cared. However, I realized you were just a spoiled boy who’d never been told ‘no’ in his life and manipulated people until he got his way. Seriously? Blackmailing her into going out with you and then ending it the way you did?”
I stared at her in silence.
“You hurt her,” she emphasized.
“I know.”
“Oh, really?” She laughed bitterly. “Do you know she moped in this room for weeks, not going anywhere at all except to take her exams? She was devastated.”
“I was, too.”
She sighed, rubbing her eyes, clearly not believing me. “Just leave her alone, Axel. You don’t care who you hurt, do you?” She lowered her voice in disgust. “She saw the pictures of you in Vegas at the club, living it up. You weren’t that devastated. Newsflash: You’re not good for her.”
My jaw ticked. “Do you always believe what you hear or see? Nothing fucking happened.” I should’ve gone straight to my room that night and skipped the goddamn club, but I wasn’t going to stand here and listen to this. “Where is she?”
“She went home to stay with her mom, okay? And don’t expect me to give you her address.”
“I don’t need it.” I turned and started out the door, but Lizzie rushed in front of me, pressing her small hands against my chest as if she could stop me. I slowed because I could’ve easily bowled her over if I wanted, but again, I was a gentleman.
“Don’t go after her.”
Ignoring her warning, I easily lifted her and set her aside before continuing to walk out the door.
“Don’t you dare hurt her—again.” Her words hit hard.
I stopped and turned around. “I won’t. Never again.”
Natalie
I dressed in a sari at my mother’s request because it was Rajina’s birthday, and Mom loved to entertain. All the women wore saris to most celebrations. Sometimes we didn’t, but more often than not, we did. It was a small party, Mom assured me. However, there were at least fifty Nepalese people that would be at our house in a few hours. Not unusual when there was a celebration. Everyone knew everyone, and we stuck together like glue, just needing a reason to throw a party.
All morning, I helped my mother decorate the house, trying to keep my mind occupied. Because any downtime I had, I would dwell on Axel, and it was like I was going through a mourning period.
I blamed him.
I blamed myself.
