Royal Havoc

32. Fool Me Once, Ghost Me Twice

thirty-two

Fool Me Once, Ghost Me Twice

Onyx: 2024

A fter I climbed into Zoey's SUV, my brain shut down as my eyes closed.

Now that they’re open after a solid three hours of sleep, I feel drunk. I should definitely not be worrying about the six missed calls and texts from Hendrix. I’m not even sure how his number got put into my phone.

Hendrix: If you’re not here by 6:15, I’m coming to you.

Trying to rub my sticky eyes awake before focusing on the small screen.

Me: On my way

My finger has just tapped the send button when someone knocks, causing me to roll awkwardly from the sofa.

Distraughtly staggering to the door. “What are you doing here?” I gasp, wide-eyed, struggling to rationalize the moment in my sleepy brain.

“Bringing dinner to you,” Hendrix answers, showing me the two boxes in his hands, studying me as I block the doorway. “Are you drunk?” he asks when I finally move, letting him in.

“Hungover,” I mumble over my shoulder, leaving him to splash water on my face.

The tension fills the atmosphere in the small cottage to the point I wonder if the roof’s strong enough to hold it all in. It’s like we’re two enemies, holding grenades, waiting to see which one will detonate first.

I find him sitting at the small table in the kitchen. “By all means, help yourself,” I call, noticing he’s rummaged through the kitchen to find plates and drinks.

“I assume you still like pizza,” he retorts, ignoring my annoyance, pointing to one of the two boxes on the counter.

Pizza is my total weakness.

“It’s okay.” I shrug, grabbing the plate he’s set out for me. “I can’t believe you eat pizza,” I taunt, getting a couple of slices before falling back into the chair across from him.

“You might be surprised if you actually tried to get to know me,” he counters before standing to make his plate.

“You’re the one that disappeared —”

“And you’re the one that refuses to let it go,” he argues, sitting across from me.

He grabs a piece of his pizza, staring me down as he takes a bite. Falling against the back of my chair, rattled by this greasy-fingered version of him I’m seeing.

“Why the hell would I ever let that go?” I question, my voice almost unrecognizable to my own ears.

He sets down the slice, wipes his hands, and motions for me to eat as he finishes chewing. Once I’ve taken a bite. “Because you never asked why,” he finally answers, leaning back, drumming his fingers on the table nervously.

I start to choke on the bite I’m chewing. “Right, because it was that simple. How do you talk to a ghost? I guess I missed that day of school. Why?” I rasp, rushing to take a drink to clear my airway.

“What did Opal tell you?” he counters, leaning forward, steepling his fingers in front of his mouth.

I glance out the window, hating the memory he’s invoked. “You know, she sat down my cake. Told me how much she loved me, and sang Happy Birthday,” I finish, gliding my eyes back to him. Confusion fills his face, and I can tell he’s searching for what he’s about to say. “She told me you never wanted me, and I was better off without you,” I spit out, the hateful words instantly causing me to lose my appetite.

His jaw drops, sadness filling his eyes. “None of that’s true,” he rasps angrily, shaking his head in disbelief.

Now, it’s my turn to be confused. “It’s a little late… actually, no. It’s fine. I’m kind of over the reason,” I throw out, shoving my plate away, hiding the emotions boomeranging inside me.

“It’s not fine . I knew she was a lying bitch… I never imagined… I wrote letters and cards…” His head falls forward into his hands as I slowly register the parts he’s said.

“I never got any cards,” I announce quietly in thought, searching through distorted memories of a childhood I’ve never wanted to revisit.

He scrubs his face with his hands. “She was calculating, Onyx. It took me a long time to figure it out,” he starts to tell me, finally meeting my stare. “I was an idiot for ever believing a word she said,” he grits.

“None of what you’re saying makes any sense. Scratch that. Nothing about my life makes any sense,” I clarify.

“I never wanted to leave you. Rowland forced it. Always protecting his investments. All they ever cared about was the money. They didn’t care who they hurt in the process,” he says, hopelessly falling back in his chair.

I’ve already figured out some of what he’s said on my own. But… “Why did he force you to leave? How am I an investment?”

Suddenly, he looks as tired as I feel. “I assume she told you about the Unity since Vex is around. If she didn’t, he would’ve. So I’m guessing she felt like she had no choice.”

“I know I’m supposed to marry Vex because of the money and bloodline bullshit,” I grumble.

He nods, glancing out the window. “I wasn’t supposed to marry Opal.”

“What?” I gasp, eyes flaring as I peer at the side of his face. “But, I thought the rules said —”

“The only rule is money,” he rasps sadly. “You should ask Vex. He can give you a better explanation.”

“Fuc —”

“He’s not bad, Onyx. Vance raised him right. I think if you give him a chance, you’ll see you don’t know everything,” he tries to clarify calmly.

Crossing my arms defensively. “Whatever. You’ve still not answered why,” I press, steering our conversation back to the real topic.

His caramel eyes turn sad again, imploring me to believe what he’s about to tell me. “I don’t have all the answers yet. I swear I’ll tell you everything once I do. I have to leave tonight.” Holding up a hand to stop me from protesting. “I wouldn’t go if it wasn’t important. I need you to promise me something,” he says calmly.

Giggling at the crazy turn of events. “Why should I believe anything you say? Let alone promise you something?”

Laying the back of his hand on the table, palm up. “Because I’ve loved you since the day you were born. And everything I’ve done was for you. I’m sorry I believed her lies. I promise to undo all the bad she’s caused.”

Tears sting my eyes against my will. My heart hiccups, unsure of the way it feels. “Tell me what you want,” I sniff.

“Vex is going to stay with you while I’m gone. Let him,” he pleads.

“He’s not staying —”

“I need to know you’re safe. Vex will keep you safe.”

“Safe?” I huff, shaking my head. “This is the smallest town —”

“Full of horrible people. Stay away from the people you think you can trust. Starting with that lying sack of shit, Nolan,” he grits angrily.

“You can’t be serious,” I groan, confusion twisting my brain.

Nolan’s the only person I trust. Now, the guy who dumped me expects me to trust him? When he hasn’t done a damn thing in thirteen years to prove I should believe a single word he’s saying.

The fuck?!

Both of us stand at the same time, facing off – his pleading eyes vs my skeptical ones.

He moves around the table. “Stay with Vex. When Nolan calls, because he will. Don’t believe anything he says. I love you, Onyx. Please trust me,” he begs, offering me his hand.

An epic war rages inside me, anxiety laced with panic, screaming at the foreign feelings trying to slither their way in.

Slowly, I lay my hand in his, tears leaking over my lashes as he squeezes it tight — memories cascade like a kaleidoscope, turning me breathless.

The door opens and shuts. “Sorry, I’m late. Dad said to let you know he’s ready,” Vex’s voice fills the room, breaking the trance I’ve fallen into.

Shutting down every emotion inside me, except for one. Harnessing every ounce of hate I have, ripping my hand away from his. “Know what I’ve learned? Never trust a ghost. Have fun on your trip ,” I sneer, spinning on my heel, “You can follow him out,” I yell at Vex as I charge past his shocked face.