Page 85 of The Destruction You Desire

I scoff, not willing to accept that she actually cares at all after the way she sent me home and cut me out of her life as if I hadn't been there holding her hand since she found out about Libby.

"I don't care. We're done."

Letty shakes her head.

"What about Kayden and… and your d—"

"Don't," I spit. "Don't even think about calling him that."

"You can't just drown all of this under as much vodka as you can get your hands on."

"I don't know what else to do," I confess. "Everything is such a mess. I can't see him. If I do, I'll probably kill him. And she won't even respond to a message."

"Honestly, I don't have any advice about him other than you need to sort yourself out and go and visit your mom. As for Peyton, give her time, give her some space but show her that you haven’t forgotten, that you haven't stopped caring just because you're not in the same room."

I stare at her. "Give her space but show her I haven’t forgotten her. Contradictory much." I roll my eyes.

"Use your imagination, Luc. I know you've got one."

"Where's Lee at?"

"Right this second, no idea. But I'm worried about him. I'm not sure when he last slept in his own bed."

"So he's not spoken to Mom?"

"I don't think he's spoken to anyone. I can barely get anything out of him."

"All the redheads on campus better watch their backs, huh?" It's supposed to be a joke but it falls flat between us.

We both know it's how he deals with the hard shit. While I turn to the nearest bottle, Leon finds the nearest redhead and fucks her raw.

"Go clean up, I'll sort this place out."

Reaching out, I wrap my hand around the back of her neck and pull her to me, dropping a kiss to the top of her head.

"Thank you, Let. What would I do without you?"

"Die of alcohol poisoning? Now get in the shower, you stink."

By the time I emerge from the bathroom, my room looks less like a homeless guy is squatting inside it and once again resembles my own space.

"I made coffee," Letty says, nodding to the mug that’s sitting on my nightstand.

I drop onto my bed and cradle it in my hands.

I feel better after the shower, but the effects of the vodka are still lingering.

"Talk to me, Luc. Whatever it is."

"I miss her," I confess, keeping my eyes locked on the coffee before me.

"So what are you going to do about it?"

"Follow your advice, I guess."

She laughs as if that's the most absurd thing she's ever heard and I have no choice but to look up at her. "What?"

"When have you ever listened to anything I've told you?"