I didn’t want to risk it again. Not after last time. Not after what he did. I dide’t want to be dragged back into that mom or punished for something as sunk
Jack would understand right?
I closed my eyes, letting the weight of it all pull me under, and tried to convince myself that staying here sout the safest choice.
For a moment, the tension melted from my body, and prace found me.
It was the ringing of the phone that woke me up from my deep slumber. My heart skipped a beat, and my eyes shot open as I groggily mached for it
It was lack. Of course, he would call now, just when I was finally starting to relax. I cursed under my breath but still raped to answer
“Hey, I muttered, still half in the log of sleep, my voice thick with exhaustion.
“Tell me you’re on your way, Nika,” he groaned dramatically. In the background, I could hear music already blaring and someone Laughing to loud. “You promised.”
promise,” 1 groaned, rubbing my face with my free hand as I tried to shake off the remnants of sleep. “I said I’d try.”
lack didn’t sound convinced, “Come on, man. You can’t back out now. It’s my birthday! Just a quick stop, and then you can leave if you want. I’ll make sure it’s not like last time. No weird shit. Promise.”
I closed my eyes again, a mix of guilt and frustration swirling in my chest. I had promised to come, and 1 had every intention of keeping that promise. But every part of me screamed to stay where I was. Stay in my quiet room. Stay away from Alessandro’s pubishment and from whatever the hell was waiting for me at the party.
“Come on, man. I already told them you’re coming. Don’t make me look like a Har on my birthday.”
I sighed, leaning my head back against the headboard. “Tack
“Don’t “lack” me,” he cut in. “I know that tone. That’s your ‘I’m going to ghost this party and pretend I fell asleep tone. Not tonight. Please.”
His voice was softer now, like he knew he had to switch tactics.
“Look, I know you’ve been… dealing with stuff. And I’m not trying to pry, okay? But you don’t get to disappear forever. One night. One drink. One stupid dance move I can blackmail you with later. That’s all I’m asking”
I closed my eyes for a beat.
He didn’t know how complicated it really was. How much damage one night out could cost me,
But maybe I needed to stop living like I was walking a tightrope made of Alessandro’s moods. Maybe I needed to take one night for myself.
“You really want me there that bad?” I murmured.
“More than I wanted the pair of signed sneakers didn’t get this year,”
I snorted. “Wow. That serious, huh?”
“Deadly.”
There was a pause, and then: “So are you coming?”
1/2
Chapter 84
I glanced at the digital clock. 9:43 PM. Not too life. I would show up, stay an hour. Make an appeiiance, keep my phone close answer. If he tracked me, I’d have an excube.
“T’ll be there in twenty,” I finally said,
Jack let out a victory shout se loud I had to yank the phone from my ear, “Yest FIl tell the DJ to que your entrance male.”
“Please don’t.”
“No promises!”
The call ended, and I sat in the quiet for a moment, listening to the low hum of traffic outside my room. My heart beat a little faster now. Half nerves Hall anticipation.
I knew better.
But I was going anyway.
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