25. Delaney
CHAPTER 25
Delaney
I shift nervously from foot to foot, my dress sticking to me beneath my gown. I adjust my cap nervously. This is it. Graduation is finally here.
I fan myself with my program, pretending to glance around the room casually. Inwardly, I’m a fucking wreck as I search for Zayne.
I’m a glutton for punishment.
He made his disdain for me quite clear when I stopped by his house, and he slammed the door in my face. I know I deserved it, but that doesn’t mean that the agony that coursed through me was any less potent.
The bitch of it is that I’m still so head over heels for him that I can’t see anyone else. A piece of my heart will always belong to him, even if he doesn’t want it.
Goosebumps erupt over my body, and my attention immediately goes to the door. Zayne stands there, his gown hanging open, revealing the same dress shirt and pants he wore on prom night when he rescued me and took me to the lake.
It feels like a lifetime ago.
When his eyes lock with mine, tingles erupt beneath my skin. My mouth goes dry, and my face heats. He scowls at me with such poisonous hatred and disgust that I look away, feeling as though he just punched me in the stomach.
“Wow. I never thought I’d see the day Zayne looked at you like that,” Callie whispers. “Usually he stares at you like a starving man at a buffet, practically drooling all over himself.”
“Thanks, Callie. I needed to hear that.” I hide my pain behind sarcasm. Inwardly, I’m splintering apart, unsure that I can do this.
“Sorry, Laney.”
I blow out a breath and sneak a peek at him beneath my long lashes. He’s ignoring me, pretending I don’t exist.
I blink rapidly, trying to clear the moisture from my eyes. I’ve cried so much over him that I can’t believe I have any tears left.
Squaring my shoulders, I give her a small smile. “You know what happened when I stopped by his house to talk to him. Thanks again for driving me there and then consoling me afterward.”
“Anytime, girl. I’m sorry you’re hurting.”
Inhaling a deep breath, I put on a brave face. Trying to appear unaffected despite even though I’m dying inside, I shrug my shoulders. “It’s fine, Callie.”
She shakes her head. “You don’t fool me, Delaney. I know you too well. You’re not remotely over him.”
It’s pointless to argue with her. She’s right. I’m not over him, but I can’t do a damn thing about it except silently suffer.
“Has that asshole Tim been leaving you alone?”
I glance across the room to where he stands with my brother and Aidan. A group of girls are fawning all over them. “After doing that favor for my father at the bonfire, he’s pretty much ignored me since.” I roll my eyes. “It hasn’t stopped my dad from making pointed comments at dinner that I should try to get Tim back.”
“Ugh. Birds of a feather flock together.”
“They do.”
A group of girls yells Callie’s name, beckoning her over. “The girls from the photography club texted earlier about taking pictures in our cap and gowns.”
I wave her off. “It’s fine. I need to use the restroom anyway.”
I walk with Callie until she reaches the girls, pasting a smile on my face and waving at them. Then I quickly turn and stride through the auditorium, my composure faltering. I don’t need to use the restroom. I need a moment alone.
My heels click down the hallway toward the restroom. I round the corner and stop, sinking against the wall. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I close my eyes, trying to lessen the pounding in my head and prevent the tears from falling.
A loud snort causes me to look up. Zayne stands there, scowling at me. “Christ. Can my night get any fucking worse?”
My skin heats from embarrassment. It’s sad how things can dramatically change in a short amount of time. I once felt so safe with him, but now, I feel so small and unwanted.
“I’ll get out of your sight.” I push off the wall, my gaze on the floor as I take two steps toward the restroom.
“Typical. Turning your back on me and running.” His taunting tone sparks a fire inside that I haven’t felt in days.
Although it’s foolish as fuck, I whirl around and stomp over to him. Jabbing my finger into his chest, I let him have it. “You do a lot of fucking assuming, Zayne. You talk out of your ass when you don’t have all the goddamn facts.” My breathing accelerates as I glare at his handsome face. A surprised look flickers across it before he smirks, infuriating me even more.
“You know what, asshole? You think you fucking know it all when you don’t know jack shit. You think my life is so goddamn perfect. Not even close. There’s so much you don’t know, but it doesn’t matter now. You think I walked away from you because I had a choice .” My voice lowers to a hiss. “Well, guess what? I didn’t.”
“Who didn’t give you a choice? Your little asshole boyfriend that you’ve probably been fucking when you weren’t fucking me?”
I gasp, staring at him in shock. How can he think that about me?
My hand lifts, smacking him across the face before I realize what I’ve done. “You’re a fucking asshole.” I spin on my heel, fleeing to the bathroom and locking the door behind me.
Then I sink to the floor and sob, my heart breaking as his cruel words run through my head.
I’m not sure how long I’ve been sobbing on the floor, but the pounding on the door and Callie’s concerned voice causes me to snap back to reality.
I can’t sit on the floor, sobbing all night. Graduation is supposed to be the happiest day of my life, not my worst.
I slowly get to my feet and unlock the door. When I pull it open, Callie gasps and pushes her way inside, locking it behind her. “What the hell happened?”
My heart stutters as I choke out, “Zayne. H-He said h-horrible things to me.”
“Oh, Delaney. I’m so sorry.” Rocking me in her arms, she lets me sob, rubbing my back until I quiet down, my hiccups echoing from the bathroom walls.
She pulls away and grabs some tissues from the box on the sink. “Okay. We’re gonna clean you up. Then you’ll walk out there with your head held high. Don’t even look at Zayne. Pretend he’s not here.”
She has a point. He rattles me so much that one look at his glowering expression and I’ll crumble in a heap of tears and miser.
She begins wiping my face with a tissue.
“I hit him, Callie.” My teary, bloodshot eyes search hers.
She pauses and then keeps wiping my face. “Good for you. I’m sure he deserved it. What did he say?”
I relay the conversation, watching as her face flames red. “Good thing I didn’t hear him. I would’ve kicked the asshole in the balls.” She lifts a high-heeled clad foot. “These things can do damage.”
A giggle bursts free as I picture it inside my head. “After he accused me of fucking Tim while sleeping with him, I wouldn’t stop you.”
“If I get a chance, I’ll take it.” She pinches my cheek lightly and winks. “Keep that smile on your face. Don’t let him know how much he’s hurting you. Not tonight.” She goes back to work on my face. “We’re gonna clean you up and show that jackass and every other person in the stadium that Delaney fucking badass Warner is confident, fearless, and in control.”
Her words make my smile widen. “I don’t?—”
She holds up her hand. “Nope. No arguing or cutting yourself down.” She grins. “Now, repeat after me. I am Delaney fucking badass Warner, and I’m confident, fearless, and in control.”
I shake my head, a smile blooming over my face as I do as she instructs, feeling slightly better afterward.
She pulls out her lipstick and mascara from inside her gown. “A little makeup goes a long way on a naturally gorgeous girl like you.”
I roll my eyes, not saying anything.
She spins me so that I’m facing the mirror. “Look at you. You’re not only beautiful on the outside but an even more gorgeous person on the inside. If Zayne can’t see that, fuck him. Someone else will.”
Her words give me the confidence boost I desperately need.
I grin at my reflection before turning and hugging her. “You’re so wonderful, Callie. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“I’m not going anywhere. No matter where life takes us, we’ll always be friends.” She wraps her arms around me, and I squeeze her back. Then we link arms and stroll out of the bathroom.
As our heels click down the hallway, I give myself a final pep talk. You can get through this, Delaney. You’ve survived everything that has come your way so far.