Page 66 of Give In

Not just the battle, but the war. I was the victor.

Triumph wasn’t what’d filled me, though. Only… disappointment.

It was like closing a door only to find I missed the view.

I wasn’t sure what I hoped to accomplish with my impulsive decision. Every practiced greeting and explanation sounded stupid and forced. For all I knew, I was about to make a fool of myself. But just driving there made me feel better than I had all week. There was a lightness in my chest and effervescence in my veins.

Because for the first time in almost a week, I wasalive. Thrumming and anxious, shaking off the haze to feel the rush.

And that was worth the risk.

Pulling into his driveway, my heart went into overdrive when I saw his car.

It’s now or never.

Killing the engine, I grabbed my keys and practically jogged up the walkway, still not sure what words were going to spew from my mouth but positive I needed to say them. Filled with nervous energy, I bounced on the balls of my feet as I knocked on the door.

It swung open a moment later, and Damien stood in the doorway, wearing a pair of classic Adidas track pants and a gray tee that stretched across his broad chest.

“Eden,” he whispered, his thick brows raised.

There was a noise behind him, drawing our attention.

A gorgeous brunette strutted toward us, her eyes on the two bottles she held. “Hey, Damey, red wine or a beer?” She looked up and halted, an endearing deer-in-the-lights expression on her face. “Oops. Thought it was the food.”

Desperately clutching to any shred of dignity I had left, I leaned over and looked at the front of the house, though there were no numbers there. I forced out an unconvincing laugh. “Sorry, wrong house.”

Damien was looking back at her, and for once my body didn’t freeze in fight or flight.

It responded with flight all the way.

I turned and ran, hauling ass to my car.

“Eden, wait!” I heard him thunder, but I didn’t listen.

I threw myself in the car, miraculously getting the key in the ignition on the first try as I said a prayer to the jalopy gods that the piece of shit would start.

The gods were feeling generous. The engine roared to life.

Not bothering to buckle, I threw the car in reverse and backed out. My tires screeched as I turned the wheel quickly and sped away. I’d barely made it to the end of the street when my phone began to ring.

Fuck, I’m stupid.

Of course, he moved on.

We were nothing.

And, of course, she’s gorgeous and cute and calls him a sweet nickname without sounding corny or stupid.

When everything was too wobbly through the tears pooling in my eyes, I pulled over to figure out what to do. If I went home or to work, Damien—Professor Caine wouldn’t hesitate to follow. I didn’t want to go wallow in my empty apartment anyway—mostly because I had no alcohol, but also because I’d been pathetic enough for one day… or a lifetime.

My phone started ringing again, and I grabbed it to turn it off. Or possibly throw it out the window. I hadn’t decided.

When I saw it wasn’t Professor Caine, though, I answered. “Hello?”

“Hey, gorgeous,” Brooks said, like a guardian frat bro. “I know you’re working tonight, but—”

“Actually, I read the schedule wrong. I’m off.”