CHAPTER FOURTEEN
ATHENA
I kept expecting Damon to pop up again. At my door or with a message on my phone. Several days passed and neither happened. I wasn’t sure if I should be relieved or disappointed. I hated that I wondered why he hadn’t reached out.
Maybe he was done with me already. After the way things ended between us that night, perhaps he had decided I wasn’t worth the trouble. That would probably be for the best. We could go our separate ways now and forget everything.
I had more important things to focus on anyway. Like the job interview I had this afternoon for a potential substitute teacher position at a local junior high school. It wasn’t much, and I would likely still have to supplement my income somehow, but it was a place to start.
“What about this one? Does it say teacher? I’m definitely going to have to buy some new clothes if I get this job.
” Standing in front of my phone so Codie could see the outfit I held up, I awaited her opinion.
She always dressed well for every occasion, and I trusted her to give me some solid guidance.
She called me for a video chat immediately once I told her about my job interview. I appreciated that I could always count on my friends to be there for me in a time of need. And this was certainly one of those times. I felt like a fish out of water trying to get ready for this interview.
“I like the skirt,” she said, leaning closer to her phone, as if that would help her see better. “Maybe try pairing it with a long sleeved top instead. And do not wear those boots with the five inch heels.”
I tried to look offended but failed. “I was not going to wear those boots. I have some perfectly nice flats that will look both modest and professional.”
“You mean those old lady shoes you save for funerals and stuff? I guess that will do for now.” Codie snickered, pausing before asking, “Still nothing? I find it hard to believe he hasn’t said or done anything after what happened.”
Yep, all of my friends knew. Those four girls were like sisters to me. I told them everything. Besides, I didn’t see any point in keeping what happened between Damon and me a secret. I wasn’t ashamed, although at times I thought maybe I should be. He was such a fucking jerk.
“Nope. Nothing at all. It’s probably better that way. I can’t imagine that man will bring anything but trouble with him.” Turning away from my phone, I tossed the shirt I was holding onto the bed before reaching into the closet to find something with longer sleeves.
“You like it though, don’t you?” There was amusement in Codie’s voice. “You did say he was the best you’ve ever had. Coming from you, that’s some pretty high praise.”
My face flamed red hot. I turned back toward my phone to find her smirking at me. “Don’t make me regret sharing that with you. And do not ever let Damon know I said that.”
Codie mimed zipping her lips shut and throwing away the key. “Your secret is safe with me. Anyway, we’re having a barbeque tonight. Just a casual get together with friends. You should come by. Damon might be there.”
“I’m on board with the free food,” I said. “I don’t care about Damon. He’s the last person I want to see right now.”
“Yeah… right. If you say so. Come by around seven or whenever you’re done with your interview. Good luck with that. I’ll be rooting for you.” She blew me a kiss before ending the video call.
Having decided on the outfit I would wear, I showered and did light, neutral makeup before gathering my hair up in a clip. Damon was far from my mind as I drove to the interview. Now my thoughts were dominated by worries and concerns related to my chosen career path.
What if the interviewer didn’t like me? What if I did get a job teaching and decided I hated it after all?
Choosing what had felt like a safe, solid path may not have been the right decision after all.
I knew teaching wasn’t glamorous, but it was rewarding.
Not something that would make me rich yet would leave me satisfied at the end of the day.
Was it too safe though? Would it be enough?
I arrived at the small coffee shop where the lady interviewing me had wanted to meet. Deciding that if it was meant to be it would be, I strolled inside with my head held high and a friendly smile on my face.
Overall, I thought the interview went well. She asked me typical questions about myself and my career goals. I did my best to answer them honestly and thoughtfully. Yet as the interview came to an end, I found myself second-guessing everything again.
Going over to Codie’s for a barbeque with my friends sounded like a great way to unwind from the stress of the day.
First I went home to change into something more casual.
A knee length skirt that flowed around my legs when I walked paired with a crop top perfect for the hot summer weather.
I pulled my hair out of the clip, letting it fall down my back.
Exchanging my boring flats for a pair of cute sandals, I left my apartment with a bounce in my step.
My friends would help me make sense of everything.
When I arrived at the house where Codie and her fiancé Stray Hurley lived, I was happy to discover that Damon wasn’t there.
There were a handful of people hanging out, drinking and snacking before the food was ready.
Storm and Ripley were already there, seated on the backyard patio furniture with Codie.
I squeezed in with them, gratefully accepting the hard iced tea Codie offered.
“How was the interview?” Storm asked, her blue eyes alight with genuine interest.
I sat back against the cushion behind me, releasing an exhausted sigh. “I don’t know. I mean, I think it was okay. The lady was nice and all. It felt like I was answering her questions properly.”
“So what’s the problem?” Ripley sipped from a can of Dr. Pepper. She was living the sober life now, and I’d never been so proud of anyone as I was of her.
Even though we offered to abstain when she was around, she insisted that we not make any changes for her. Alcohol had never been her problem anyway. Since getting off the pills she’d become addicted to, she’d chosen to stay sober in all ways. I’d never known anyone so amazing.
“I think the problem might be me. I’m starting to think maybe I should’ve chosen a different career path. Something less predictable and routine. Something more exciting.” I took a sip of my drink, glancing up as a few guys I didn’t recognize entered the yard with Ripley’s boyfriend Auryn.
“More exciting?” Storm repeated. “Like what?”
“I don’t know. Maybe college spoiled me. Too many parties and wild nights. The thought of doing the same thing day in and day out is kind of depressing.” I couldn’t help but notice one of the guys who just arrived glancing in our direction, his gaze lingering on me. “Who are those guys?”
The girls all turned to see who I indicated. Codie nodded. “Oh, those guys. Friends of Auryn’s from campus, I think.”
“Pretty sure they know each other from campus but have “worked” together.” Ripley made air quotes with her fingers. “If you know what I mean.”
Of course I did. Plenty of people “worked” with the Graveyard Kings in some manner or another. Either buying or selling.
It wasn’t long before Luna showed up with Casper.
She pressed a kiss to his cheek before coming to join us, leaving him to mingle with his friends near the grill as Rebel got the food started.
The conversation took a turn as Luna excitedly gushed about one of her favorite musical artists performing at an upcoming local event.
Storm jumped in after, trying to encourage us to attend the city’s end of the summer carnival.
“You owe me a ride on the roller coaster, Athena. You made me ride it alone last year.” With a teasing grin, Storm leaned over to playfully pinch my arm.
“Yeah. Sure. Whatever you want.” My attention was elsewhere. My eyes locked on the man who had just walked into the backyard.
Noah and Dom had arrived. Of course, Damon was with them.
Dressed all in black, the muscles in his arms firm and tight, shown off by his T-shirt.
I caught myself staring. Yet I couldn’t look away.
Not until his gaze met mine. His golden brown eyes locking on me.
Sending a spark of something hot and wicked right to my core.
I tore my eyes from his, finding my friends watching me with obvious amusement. I did my best to recover. “Yeah, I’ll totally go on the roller coaster with you this year. Why not? I’m sure it will be fun, even if there is a chance of us plummeting to our deaths.”
Unfortunately for me, I couldn’t fool my best friends. Especially Storm who’d known me since we were kids.
She leaned forward in her seat, keeping her voice low. “I know that look. Although I rarely see it directed toward a man like that. One time wasn’t enough, huh?”
She laughed softly before taking a sip of her drink. Best friends were supposed to give you a hard time. God knew I had done it to each of them at some point. Having it turned around on me was no fun.
“I think Athena has finally been bitten by the bad boy bug,” Codie chuckled. “I told you danger was fun.”
She would know. The girl had a danger kink. One that Stray was all too happy to fulfill. Good for them. Finding each other and all. That wasn’t me though. That’s not what this was.
“Are we placing bets?” Luna’s pink and purple curls bobbed as she giggled. “I give it two weeks until they’re forced to admit they can’t get enough of each other.”
“Two weeks,” Codie mused, tapping her bottom lip with a finger. “They both seem pretty stubborn to me, even though I don’t really know Damon. I give it a month.”
“Would you guys give it a rest?” I couldn’t help but sneak another glance in Damon’s direction. He seemed to be going out of his way to avoid looking at me again. “It was a one and done. That’s it. That’s all.”
Despite my protests, my friends all placed their bets with each other.
I sat there sipping my drink, waiting for them to get bored and change the subject.
As the evening went on we enjoyed some delicious burgers and a few more drinks.
Not once did Damon acknowledge my existence in any way.
He seemed to be working hard to ignore me completely.
I should’ve been happy. Relieved even. Instead, I found myself growing more irritated by the minute. Who the hell did he think he was? As if he thought he could fuck me like that and then ignore my entire existence. Absolutely not.
If Damon wanted to play games, then I would play. He didn’t know who he was messing with.
My gaze fell upon the friend of Auryn’s who’d been checking me out. Maybe a little harmless flirting would get a reaction from Damon. And if not, at least I would have some fun.