Page 100 of Eternal

“Busy.” The girl rolls her eyes. “No guy is too busy to get laid. I saw how Declan was looking at you at that Sigma party. There’s no way he’ll turn you down.”

“Isn’t he with that one chick now?” The blonde crosses her arms over her chest. “She’s all over his socials.”

They must be talking about me because Declan won’t stop posting pictures of me on his social media. None are of my face, but it’s clear who I am with my multicolored hair. Some are of the back of my head, while some are just a thigh with his hand on it. One photo was a close-up of my mouth from a moment he was watching me put on lip gloss.

I keep telling myself it’s his artistic side coming out, but I can’t deny that I’m starting to like the unusual display of possessiveness.

“That girl?” The dark-haired girl laughs. “I doubt they’re even really dating.”

Violet glances at me at the comment, clearly hearing their conversation as well as I am.

“I heard that girl is legit insane. He’s probably screwing her for charity or something. Declan’s way too hot to actually like some crazy bitch. Besides, you know how Dec is, always trying to push boundaries. He’ll be over her the second he gets distracted with someone else.”

My stomach sours as I dig my nails into my palms. The way they’re talking about me is downright cruel, and the way they’re talking about Declan has fire burning inside my chest.

“I’m sure it’ll be like anything else. Give him a week, and he’ll dump her. Or maybe if you’re lucky, her daddy will send her back to the psych ward.”

The girls burst out laughing, not moving from where they are.

“Don’t listen to them.” Violet reaches out, resting her hand on mine. “They don’t know what they’re talking about.”

Except they do.

And what they’re suggesting is a real threat I worry about on a weekly basis.

But Violet, being the optimist she is, looks past all my outbursts. She ignores the weeks I spend hiding in my studio. She doesn’t judge me when I get anxious in a crowd and disappear almost instantly. She looks past the rumors and just sees me as her friend.

I wish I were the girl my friends see, and not who I really am, because these girls talking about me are right.

At some point, Declan will fall back in line with his father, or my dad will decide he’s had enough and make up an excuse to lock me away. This is all temporary.

Swallowing hard, I rest my hands on my stomach and bury that thought. It won’t do me any good. These girls only win if I let them, and today, that’s not happening.

What I inflict on myself is one thing, but I refuse to let their jealousy be my undoing.

“It’s fine.” I roll my shoulders back, climbing out of the car.

The moment I move, I see both girls glance in my direction, their eyes widening. They’re probably wondering if I heard what they said or if I’ll say something back. I don’t because they aren’t worth my time.

“I think they’re ready to go,” I say to Violet, avoiding the stares.

Violet climbs out, glancing between me and the girls as she closes the car door behind her.

The world can think what they want.

Declan can do what he wants.

I can’t control anyone but myself, and that’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way. So, in this moment, I embrace what’s real for right now.

I walk over to where Declan and Kole are leaning against the car, with Violet following behind me. The second I’m within reach, Declan snags my hand, pulling me to stand between his legs.

He’s still talking to Kole, but he dips his fingers into my back pockets, holding me against him. He sees me without even looking. He claims me without even trying.

“You got it,” Declan says, finishing his conversation as Kole turns to Violet.

Declan pulls one of his hands from my pocket to lift my jaw, pulling me in for a kiss.

How we’ve gone from enemies to whatever this is has my neck straining from whiplash at times. And yet, he feels like the place I’ve always belonged.