Page 56

Keahi

There’s a lot of commotion in the halls of the guard facility, but amongst the many voices, one familiar tune finds my ears like a siren call.

I turn my head, thinking I might’ve imagined it, only to see Malia walking next to Flint a few halls down.

What is fucking confusing is that she’s actually smiling.

Flint is supposed to have locked her up, so what on earth are they doing out together in the evening? They couldn’t be going on a date.

There’s just no way. Though if they are, I wish Flint a ton of luck.

I want to look away and leave, but before I can do so, my eyes lock with hers.

She seems surprised to see me here and her smile falters for a brief moment.

As quickly as it went, it’s set back in place like everything is normal.

She averts her gaze from me like I was nothing more significant than a stranger, and I feel a fresh wave of anger wash over me.

I feel so dumb right now and I hate feeling this way.

Not once in my life have I been played before Malia happened. I laugh bitterly to myself and leave the building. If I was nothing to her then she is nothing to me.

I quickly dial Eteri’s number, and she picks up after the third ring.

"I’m angry.

Can you come over?" I get straight to the point and receive a chuckle from the girl on the other line.

"Sure, see you in twenty." She hangs up the phone before I can.

The dynamic between Eteri and I has changed since we were sixteen.

She doesn’t follow me around like a duckling now that she has stopped wanting me in a romantic sense. Instead, we are cordial to one another and whenever she’s not in a relationship, like right now, we occasionally indulge in a hook up.

Eteri rings my doorbell a few minutes after I arrive at my place, and something weird happens to my stomach.

Usually, there’s some kind of anticipation on my walk to open the door for her.

Now, I can’t seem to muster up even the smallest bit of excitement.

"I’m guessing I’m not here so you can talk about what happened?" she asks rhetorically after entering my living room.

I help her take off her coat and back her up against a wall.

A smirk tugs on her lips as she looks up at me.

"That’s what I thought," she states before pulling me toward her to close the space between our lips.

My mouth quickly dominates hers, craving some familiarity and semblance of control.

Eteri lets out a small gasp as I lift her up but wraps her legs around my waist so I can carry her to my bedroom.

I lay her down below me and start sucking on her neck hard enough to leave small bruises.

She curls her hands inside my hair and turns her head to the side to allow me better access. When my lips find hers again, she buckles her hips to get on top of me.

I let her hold the reins for the time being and place my hands on her thighs, caressing her skin with my thumbs.

Over the years, Eteri has developed a little kink to top me occasionally, and I usually go along with it, not hating it entirely.

Still, it only ever lasts a few minutes. I’m not the same selfish prick I used to be, but a leopard also doesn’t change his spots.

She pulls her shirt over her head before leaving a trail of kisses along my jawline and down my neck.

I close my eyes as her hands slide under my shirt, rolling it up, and she places teasing kisses down my chest and abs.

It’s almost enough to take my mind off everything that’s been adding to the weight on my chest, and I find myself incredibly grateful for my – well, let’s call her my longest lasting friend.

With her soft lips on my skin, I’m too lost in the moment to think.

My mind drifts off, my body solely focused on the pleasure.

It feels good. Not thinking about anything feels good. “Malia,” I breathe when her trail of kisses reaches my lower stomach. Eteri pulls away to look at me, and I immediately snap out of the short blissful reprieve.

"So that is what’s wrong.

Again," she states before sitting up.

I don’t say anything, letting her stare at me in silence.

"I kind of think now you owe me an explanation here.” She breaks the silence with a soft smile.

I sigh, sit up to lean against my headboard, and sigh again.

"Fine, I’m sorry," I say finally.

"I was na?ve, and she played me, happy?"

"No.

I would’ve been happy if you hadn’t moaned another girl’s name while I was with you.

This just leaves me slightly satisfied. Anyway, I saw the way she looked at you when we were fifteen just like she was looking at you the last time I saw you two together. I don’t know what makes you think she played you, but I’d reconsider. Or not, I really don’t care. Either way, I’ll leave now. Goodnight, Keahi." Eteri starts heading for the door.

"I saw her on a date with Flint today.

I’m not wrong," I say, and the leaving girl looks back at me.

"If you say so." She sends me one last smile before closing my front door behind her.

I throw my head back on my pillow and groan.

Why did I have to ruin this? Never mind that; Malia ruined this. If she wouldn’t constantly torment my mind, I wouldn’t have fucking moaned her name.

I curse myself before getting in the shower and finishing what didn’t happen with Eteri tonight.

Afterwards, I get dressed and try to clear my mind.

I’m meeting Wystan tomorrow morning to train again, so I go to bed despite knowing there’s not a chance I’ll find the relief of sleep.