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I can’t help but laugh. The man is crazy. I wouldn’t go there with him. I’m comfortable around Storm and feel at ease with him, but I don’t see a sexual connection. The only thing I do see is friendship.
His cell buzzes. He pulls it from his pocket, and his gaze darkens. “Gotta go. Be good, yeah?”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah,” I say softly. “You too.”
His chuckle is heavy as he walks toward the exit, putting his cell to his ear as he does.
Not even ten minutes later, the doors open as Serenity and Shadow walk in. She’s banged up. She’ll have even more bruises to go with the ones she’s just managed to get rid of.
“You’re okay?” I ask as she sits down next to me. I want to hug her but I’m unsure if I’ll hurt her.
“I’m fine,” she assures me, pulling me into her embrace. “Trust me, I’m good.”
“This shit needs to stop,” I hiss. “How many times are you going to get hurt because your ex is an asshole?”
“Don’t worry, Esme,” Shadow says, grinning. “It’s goin’ to stop. Every cunt who’s touched her is goin’ to die.”
I nod. “Make it hurt,” I tell him.
I used to be all about love and acceptance, but there’s certain people who deserve to die in the seventh circle of Hell. Anyone who hurts my friend deserves to feel the pain that Shadow will bring to them.
Shadow chuckles. “Trust me, Esme, he’s goin’ to hurt.”
“Go,” I tell him. “I’ve got Seri,” I assure him. I need him to know that my girl has me and she’ll be fine. He needs to do what he needs to do. The sooner it’s done, the safer Serenity will feel. I’m not stupid. The pain and suffering she’s been dealt, she’s going to feel for a long time. I just wish that I was able to take it from her, that I could help her. The only thing I can do is be here for her.
Shadow presses a kiss to Serenity’s lips and then moves away. He’s pissed. Every step he takes is filled with anger.
“Get ready,” I whisper to Serenity as I see Octavia rushing toward us.
Seri groans. I get it, she’s had a lot of people fussing over her for the past few weeks and she’s not the type of person who enjoys that.
“Let her,” I say, keeping my voice low. “Let her fuss and make sure you’re okay. It’s what she needs to do.”
Seri nods and then braces herself as Octavia rushes toward her and throws her arms around her. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” she cries. “So glad that you’re home.”
“I’m fine,” Seri says, trying to calm her down. “I promise you, Tavia, I'm fine. I want to know what’s happening between Esme and Storm. Esme?”
I glare at her. “Nothing. Honestly, nothing. He apologized for what he said. He felt guilty for calling me an ugly bitch, especially when I lost weight afterward.”
Octavia gasps. “He called you that?”
“It’s fine,” I assure her. “Trust me, it’s okay. He apologized, and I wasn’t truly hurt by what he said. Just disappointed.”
Octavia watches me carefully, almost as though she’s trying to check that I’m okay. “You know that you’re not ugly, don’t you?”
I nod, my heart beating faster. I used to be okay with my body. I loved how I looked. But with everything that happened with Harry, I began to hate everything about myself. It’s why I lost weight and changed my clothes. Nothing I did made me feel better.
“Oh, Es,” Seri whispers. “What did that asshole do to you?”
I shake my head. “I’m fine,” I lie. “He’s gone and I don’t have to deal with the bullshit any longer.”
The memories of what happened and what he said have stuck with me. I’m trying to forget them, to not let them fester within me. It’s hard. It’s been eight years of constant pain, not to mention the remarks and insults about the way I look and how I act. When I was with Harry, I changed everything about myself to make him happy. In the end, I only ended up hating myself. I lost every bit of self-confidence that I had.
The past six weeks have brought some healing, and I’m managing to slowly rebuild what I lost, but it’s going to take some time.
Seri tuts. “You’re a bad liar, Esme Greene.”
I laugh. She has no idea how good I am at lying. I’ve had years of practice. “I’m dealing,” I tell her honestly.
