Page 202 of Shadowman

The mood between us has flipped in an instant. My despondence from earlier is mixing with the insecurities that follow my relationship with Trevel around like a shadow, until we’re both simmering and restless.

We come to a spot where the corridor splits. Trevel moves up to one door, but I hang back.

“Isn’t this way faster?” I nod at the other door.

He blinks. “No.”

My gaze narrows.I’m pretty sure it is.

Before we can argue about it any further, the door beside me bursts open, startling us both. Joy creeps through, pausing when she sees us—just standing around, visibly agitated.

“Oh… hey,” she mumbles suspiciously, eyes flicking between me and Trevel.

“Hey,” I sigh. I can’t even help it; I’m lighting up in her presence. “You’re a sight for sore eyes. How have you been?”

Joy’s clearly edgier than usual, glancing at Trevel like she’s hesitant to speak in front of him. It’s keying up my frustration even more.

I’m forever caught in the middle of this bullshit I didn’t ask to be.

Trevel must catch on to Joy’s distrust, because he scoffs and rolls his eyes, going for the opposite door. “Why don’t I just give you two some privacy…”

His tone has a serious bite to it, but he’s gone before I can say anything, leaving me staring in the direction he disappeared.

“Wow, so Velle wasn’t exaggerating, huh?” Joy shakes her head. “You and emo Mick Jagger are an item now? Just flitting around, free as two little lovebirds while the rest of this place is a blazing goddamn dumpster fire??”

I narrow my gaze at her, irritation causing fidgets in my limbs. “What the fuck is wrong with you guys?? I’m notdoinganything. We’re down here to see Dr. Love. It’s not like we’re having a fucking party…”

“Dr. Love’s not here,” she mutters. “He’s gone for the night.”

I give her a puzzled look.Why would The Ivory tell us to come see him if he’s gone?? Maybe he doesn’t know…?

“Whatever. You’re proving my point,” I grunt. “FelixfuckingDarceyhas been freely strutting around this place formonths. His sketchy boyfriend istechnicallystill on The Ivory’s roster, but they’re treated like the goddamn president and first fucking lady of Alabaster Isle! You know he sleeps in the mansion, right? Darcey?”

Her brow arches. “Who told you that? Benedict Arnold Cumberbatch over there?”

My scowl deepens. “What difference does it make?! You guys are all butthurt that Trevel works for The Ivory… Well, guess what?? Weallwork for The fucking Ivory! Excuse me for finding someone who likes me forme… For the first time since I’ve been here, I’m someone’s main priority. And myfriends, the people who supposedly care about meso much, are out here trying to make me feel bad about it!Fuckthat.”

Growling, I rake my fingers through my hair, pulling in breaths while attempting to calm myself down before I really flip the fuck out. “Side with Darcey and Dr. Love all you want, but at the end of the day, they’re here forthemselves, just like the rest of us. They’ll dime on you to save their own asses, I guaran-fucking-tee it. There’s no honor among thieves,jeulgeoun.”

By the end of my tirade, I’m exhausted. My heart is jackhammering, and I just want to lie down. I never thought finding someone who makes me happy would require this much fight.

Is that really what Trevel is…?

Someone who… makes me happy?

How can I tell? I guess if thinking it is a reflex, it must be true…

Blinking hard, I shake the thought away. Joy is chewing on her lower lip, looking all manners of distraught. I didn’t notice it as much before, but she’s visibly exhausted, and rigid with obvious stress. Maybe she was those things before, but never this noticeably.

“I’m sorry,” we both say at the same time, then chuckle. And sniff.

We’re so similar in so many ways, which is why we’ve clicked since day one. I truly love her as a friend, and itkillsnot to be as close as we once were.

“I don’t want to fight,” she murmurs. “Not with you.”

“Funny, considering how many times you’ve kicked my ass,” I tease, and she grins.

“Hey, you got your licks in.” She wiggles her brows, and I scoff.