Page 65 of Loving the Tormentor

"I didn't ask for your excuses, Nyx."

I lick my lips, nodding to myself. "I know. I just want you to know I'm sorry. I'm on my way back."

"Take your time. I'm not waiting."

The disappointment in his voice is harder to take than if he was screaming. "Chase, I'm sorry. I just drank too much."

"Your new rich friends aren't very caring, are they? Letting you drink till you black out."

I take a deep breath. "It's not like that."

"Sure. I'll see you tonight."

"Wait, I… I'm rehearsing tonight."

"Rehearsing?"

"Chase," I say meekly. "I've rehearsed the violin every single Sunday night of my life since I was a little girl. You can't pretend you don't remember that."

"Right. I forgot so many other things are more important to you than supporting me."

I don't understand what's happening. He's not furious when he should be. He's disappointed, but there should be more. He's acting like he doesn't care, but I know that's not true. I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"I love you," I lie so easily I scare myself.

All I get in return is a scoff. "But not enough to support me, right?"

"I'll do my best, okay?"

"Whatever. Bye."

I'm about to hang up when his voice rises from my phone again.

"Oh, by the way, Nyxie. I won't be able to cover your dad's payment to Val Brolik this month. I had some unexpected expenses. He'll have to deal with it himself."

There it is. The punishment.

My heart squeezes painfully, fear weighing heavy in my stomach.

"Chase, you know we can't. Please, I'm sorry."

"Sorry, Nyxie. I can't always cover everything."

And he hangs up. I bite my tongue painfully until I taste the copper of blood in my mouth.

Looking up at Achilles, I find him standing by the bed, now dressed in black jeans and a deep purple hoodie with a small white bat on it. His gold necklace with the ‘S’ pendant is always visible.

I get dressed in record time under his intense stare, but he only talks when I'm putting my shoes on.

"I'd like to take you out for dinner tonight."

"No," I say through gritted teeth. "Didn't you hear I'm busy tonight? And you've done enough damage as it is."

"Busy rehearsing, right? You're not going to go to whatever your boyfriend needs support for."

"I'll do whatever the fuck I want."

"You'll rehearse. Because that's the only thing important enough to skip dinner with me."