CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CODIE
Guilt consumed me. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at Stray when he dropped me off at home. I got out of his car and rushed into my apartment building without a glance back. I felt like utter shit.
Stray may not have been squeaky clean. He certainly wasn’t the kind of guy they made romcom movies about. But he didn’t deserve this. He deserved better than me.
Thankfully, Athena was out with Ripley for the evening.
I didn’t have to listen to her questions about my date or how it had gone.
I wasn’t in the right state of mind for that.
After a shower to wash the lake out of my hair and off my body, I paced my apartment.
Even though I didn’t see Stray’s Mustang outside, something told me he hadn’t gone far. That he still watched me.
I’d really fucked up. First thing tomorrow I would contact Noah and beg him to forget the whole thing.
Since I didn’t have any of his contact information, I would have to find him on social media.
Venom may be hosting a party tomorrow night.
Since I hadn’t been attending any of them, I was kind of out of the loop.
Despite how tired I felt from the lack of sleep the night before, I still had a hard time sleeping.
After tossing and turning, I finally fell into a fitful, dreamless slumber.
By the time I opened my eyes, the sun streamed through the cracks in my blinds.
My phone informed me that it was after ten in the morning.
I didn’t usually sleep this long unless I’d been out partying.
Athena was already up when I emerged from my bedroom. She sat in the living room scrolling on her phone while drinking coffee. A smile broke across her face when I entered the room.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty. I was wondering when you were going to wake up. How was last night? I still can’t believe you went out with him after what he did.”
I grimaced, shoving my tousled hair out of my face. “Coffee first. Talk after.”
When I finished making coffee and returned to the living room, Athena merely regarded me with a brow raised. Waiting for me to tell her about my date.
I sank onto the couch with a groan. “As much as I hate to say it, last night was really nice. I had a good time.”
Athena’s inquisitive stare turned into a frown. “Why do you hate to say that? Did something happen?”
Again the guilt struck me. I could no longer deny that I felt something for Stray now. Something more than contempt and irritation. Something I’d never felt for anyone before.
Knowing that it wouldn’t purge me of the bitter swell of guilt, I still needed to say it out loud to somebody.
“Athena, I did something really horrible. Yesterday morning on campus I went to Noah. I asked him to get Venom involved in convincing Stray to leave me alone. I think I went too far. I’m afraid someone is going to get hurt. ”
Athena let out a low whoosh of breath, nodding slowly.
“You mean you’re afraid Stray is going to get hurt.
I know I’m in the dark when it comes to the two of you, but I’m getting the feeling you’re actually really into him.
That scares you. So you did something reckless.
Can’t you get a hold of Noah and tell him you changed your mind? ”
“I’m going to try that today. He gave me a warning though. He told me there was no taking it back. I’m afraid he’s not going to listen to me.” Sharing with Athena helped me not feel so alone. Shutting everyone out had only caused more harm.
“Have you tried talking to Storm?” Athena suggested. “She might know more about this Venom shit.”
“Not yet. I’m going to try to get a hold of Noah first. I’m afraid I’ll have to tell Stray. He’s going to hate me.” Why wouldn’t he? Going to his sworn enemy was unforgivable. Of all the things I could’ve done, this had to be the worst.
While I drank my coffee, I searched the various social media sites for Noah.
I found him on Instagram and nervously stared at the direct message area before finally typing something out.
Keeping it simple and to the point, I told him that I changed my mind about everything. Then I nervously awaited a response.
It didn’t take long for him to get back to me. His message was also simple and to the point.
You were warned. There’s no taking back what’s already begun.
Fuck. My pulse pounded as my thumbs flew over the screen.
I don’t want anything to do with this. I’ve changed my mind. If you go forward with making a move against Stray, it’s all on you. It has nothing to do with me and I am no part of it.
I could practically feel Noah laughing at me. His response confirmed it.
Nice try. You started this. Anything that happens now is because of you.
Angry tears burned the back of my eyes. Noah was a fucking asshole.
Clearly he wouldn’t be reasoned with. I had no experience dealing with these organized crime types.
I doubted there was anything I could say or do to change his mind.
If anything, I’d given him the perfect excuse to make a move against Stray. Maybe against the other Kings as well.
I spent most of the afternoon in turmoil.
I felt like I had to do something, but I didn’t know what that would be.
Athena had encouraged me again to speak to Storm.
Being engaged to Rebel put her close to this whole conflict with Venom.
That only made me worry more. What if Storm became caught in the crossfire because of me?
Finally, I called her and asked if we could meet at a coffee shop near her apartment.
I couldn’t talk to her about this with Rebel around.
As I left my building, I glanced around for Stray.
I didn’t want him following me. In the beginning, he made sure I saw him lurking about.
Now I rarely saw him, although I suspected he hadn’t quit stalking me. He just didn’t let me see him anymore.
I got to the coffee shop before Storm. A mess of nerves, I continuously glanced around, checking the vicinity. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t entirely alone.
Storm arrived a few minutes later. Dressed casually in a tank top and jeans, she managed to look gorgeous with little effort. Her wine red hair had been pulled back into a ponytail that bounced around as she walked.
After ordering a mocha latte, she joined me where I sat at a corner table. “How do you manage to make something as basic as sweatpants look so damn good?”
I managed a tight smile. “Thanks. You’re too sweet.”
The ice chunks clinked in my iced coffee as I took a sip. Words failed me when I tried to find a way to tell her what I’d done.
Sensing that something was wrong, Storm’s expression grew solemn. “Hey, is everything okay? I’m getting a vibe here.”
“Everything is not okay. I did something, Storm, and I don’t know how to fix it.
I’m really worried.” The truth spilled from me in a rush as I told her about my conversation with Noah and how he refused to call it off.
“I know I shouldn’t have gone to him. Everything with Stray was getting more intense. I panicked.”
Storm took it all in stride. Not once did she let on if she thought I was an idiot. The girl had an impeccable poker face.
She reached across the table, covering my hand with hers.
“I get it. Trust me. Those King men have a way of getting inside your head. Working their way into your whole damn life until they’ve become something you can’t live without.
I made a few mistakes of my own when I was confused about everything with Rebel. Everything will be all right.”
“Not if Venom hurts him. I would never be able to live with myself if that happened.” Chewing my bottom lip until I tasted blood, I sighed, my chest heaving. “What do I do, Storm?”
“I know this probably isn’t what you want to hear but I think you need to tell Stray. At the very least, give him a heads up so he knows to watch his back.” Storm patted my hand a few times. Sympathy shone in her eyes. She wanted to help me, but this was a problem I had to solve.
The thought of telling Stray what I’d done made me feel sick. After the way I’d left him last night, it would be pouring salt in the wound. Worse than that, it would be slashing open a brand new wound. One that cut deeper and wouldn’t stop bleeding.
I stared at my phone for a long time before finally typing out a text to Stray. Storm was able to get me his number. Weird that I still didn’t have it.
At the very least, I had to give him a warning. Certain he would have questions for me, I didn’t say much. I couldn’t bring myself to do so. Not yet. Not like this.
Watch out for Venom.