Chapter 3
Diesel
K illing my bike’s engine, I removed my helmet and placed it on the handlebars, then scanned the hospital’s parking lot before unzipping my jacket. Toro—that was his name as of last night—immediately popped his cute little head out.
“Did you enjoy the ride, pequenito ?” I asked him in Spanish because I’d decided early on to ensure my child would be fluent in my mamá’s tongue.
Toro purred before going back to cuddle inside my warm jacket. He was probably tired after we’d spent the morning at the vet’s, where he had a checkup. The doc said Toro was around eight weeks old, and while a bit underweight, he was one healthy kitten. Once we were done at the clinic, I drove straight to the hospital to check on Soren and the others.
Knowing animals weren’t allowed inside hospitals, I zipped up my jacket with Toro cuddling inside and got off my gorgeous Ducati Streetfighter. I’d bought it with my own money and treated it like my baby, knowing that one day, I’d give my real baby a ride on it. Imagining Shay-Lee sitting his sexy ass on my bike often got me off at night, and I wasn’t ashamed to admit it. Now, that day was closer than ever, and I still couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe Dion was letting me go. If I’d known that all it would take was saving that asshole’s life, I would have done it years ago. But better later than never, right?
Whenever I thought back on the conversation I’d had with Dion, excitement rushed through me like lightning. But while I couldn’t wait to see Shay-Lee, I was also worried as fuck. To begin with, I had no idea how he’d react, and based on Andrei’s reaction, it wouldn’t be a piece of cake. Sure, it had taken Andrei no more than a few hours to warm up to me, and by the end of the day, we were cool. But I wasn’t a fool, and I knew my Llorón was nothing like Andrei. I snorted. If he was, I wouldn’t have fallen for him as hard as I had.
Shay-Lee was one hell of a vengeful bitch, which to me was the sexiest thing alive. Only I wasn’t sure being on the receiving end of his rage would be as fun, and it would probably be better to brace myself for his furious reaction. Therefore, I’d have to think it through and plan everything carefully, from where I’d meet him to how I’d do it and what I’d say. It wouldn’t be easy because, for the past four years, I’d done my best to avoid learning anything about his life out of fear it would break me. It was almost like I pretended he didn’t exist. Almost , because no matter how hard I fought not to search for him online or stalk him in the middle of the night, the memories of him were carved into my soul, just like the scars on my skin. He’d become a part of me, and ever since we’d separated, it felt like a piece of my body was missing. The pain of not being near him was as vivid as getting stabbed, if not worse. The longing made me bleed and tear, and knowing this suffering was about to end almost felt unreal. But despite my impatience to hold him in my arms again, I kept reminding myself that I was still not entirely free, and until that happened, I shouldn’t get my hopes up.
“Yo, D!”
I turned in time to see Andrei jogging toward me in the hall, a smile on his face .
“Hey,” he said, a bit out of breath, as he stopped before me. “Didn’t think you’d actually come.”
“Is that so?”
“Oh, fuck off.” He rolled his eyes before nudging his head in the direction of the elevator. “I was just going up to the recovery unit.”
“So Soren’s no longer in intensive care?”
“Nope. Thankfully, the bullet didn’t hit any major organs. So while his life is out of danger, he does have some recovery ahead of him… but the doctor says he can be released home by the end of this week if all goes well,” Andrei explained as we walked toward the elevator.
“That’s good.”
I bet Dion will be thrilled to know his lawyer’s out of danger, too.
We reached the elevator, and I pushed the button. Waiting for it to arrive, we stood there in complete silence until a low purr pierced the air. Andrei’s eyes jerked to me, and he pinned his gaze on my stomach before looking up to meet my stare.
“Did your stomach just purr?” he asked, his brows drawing close with confusion.
I looked around the hall, and once I saw it was clear, I unzipped my jacket. Andrei’s expression turned softer the second he saw Toro sleeping there like a cute little baby.
“Why am I not surprised you have a cat?”
“’Cause cats are awesome, and so am I,” I said as the elevator arrived. I stepped in first, Andrei right behind me.
Andrei pushed the third-floor button and then straightened up while the door closed.
“You know you can’t have him here,” he said after I zipped Toro back into my jacket.
“And?”
“It’s against the rules, bro.”
“Will I go to prison for that?”
“Probably not.”
“So we’re good. ”
We both snorted right before the elevator’s doors opened, and we stepped out.
“So who’s here?” I asked while following Andrei as he walked down the hall, which led to where I assumed Soren’s room was.
“So far, only me and Chief. But Jess and Levi will be here soon.”
“Yeah?”
He nodded. “Heads up, Jess is excited to meet you.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “So you told them about me?”
Andrei stopped walking and turned to face me. “Of course, man. How could I not?” He then frowned. “Wait, you didn’t want me to say something?”
Did I? I wasn’t sure.
“Nah… I mean, it makes sense you’d tell them.” I scratched my jaw as my real worries trickled in, and I looked around. “You think he knows?”
I had no idea if Andrei had any connection to Shay-Lee, but if he did and the rumor of my return had spread, then Shay-Lee might already know I was back. The last thing I wanted was for Shay-Lee to discover I’d popped back into everyone’s life from someone else. After all, that was how he learned I’d left. I hated the idea of repeating the same mistake, and only because he deserved better than that. But back then, I had no other choice but to disappear as if the ground had swallowed me whole. It was part of the agreement I had made with Dion. Just another clause in the contract I signed with the devil.
Andrei’s silence didn’t help to ease my growing restlessness, and I glared back at him. The way he avoided eye contact told me he knew something.
“What is it?” I asked, the muscle in my jaw twitching.
“Nothing.”
Pissed off, I smacked his chest, then pointed at him. “Bullshit. You have something to say.”
Andrei poked the inner side of his cheek before he let out a long sigh. “Shay-Lee’s very close to Soren, so when Chief told him what happened, he might have mentioned your name. ”
My throat dried as my heart rate increased. Trying to ease down this awful feeling, I clenched my fists. “Did Shay-Lee say anything?”
Andrei gave me a pitiful look.
I hated it.
“Not that I know of. It was a really short conversation, D. Chief basically said nothing.” He ran his fingers through his thick hair before he continued. “You need to be prepared that Shay-Lee might not be happy to see you again.”
I frowned at his words because Andrei had no clue what he was talking about. Shay-Lee might be angry at first, but to say he wouldn’t be happy? Please . He’d be thrilled, same as I would be, only that he’d hide his excitement underneath a mountain of slurs and punches.
“With all due respect, Andrei, you know nothing about us.” The corner of my mouth pulled into a cocky smirk. “I’m not saying he won’t be pissed at first. He will . But we’ll get over it fast.” I snorted, thinking about all the little brawls we used to have before becoming a couple. “It’s just our way of expressing our passion.” I wrapped my arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer. “Since you have a French refrigerator for a boyfriend, I can’t blame you for not getting it.”
He huffed and tried pulling away when I kept him close.
“Diesel—”
“Nah,” I cut him off. “You don’t need to say anything because I already know Shay-Lee’s immediate reaction will be rough. I’m prepared for that.” I winked at him. “If you know what I mean.” The only thing better than hate sex was our hate sex. Fuck me, did Shay-Lee know how to fuck his frustration out. Just thinking about the way he rocked those hips when he was angry got my dick to take notice.
Andrei shook his head before shrugging my arm from around him. “I’m glad you’re confident, but that’s not what I’m talking about.” He paused and darted his eyes to the floor before up to me. “There’s something else you need to know about him.” He scratched his chin. “You see, Shay-Lee’s—”
Andrei’s words came to an abrupt halt when someone screamed my name, and I turned around just in time to see Jessie charging at me. As always, the idiot was too damn excited for his own good as he was ready to jump on me. Except he couldn’t because his boney ass would crush Toro.
“Hold on, sunshine,” I rasped, stopping him seconds before he lunged at me. Jessie’s excitement was replaced with a pout, and I felt like shit for putting that pitiful expression on his face, so I revealed to him what I had inside my jacket. Soon enough, a huge smile returned to his face.
“A kitten?” he gasped, his big eyes jumping between Toro and me. “You have a kitten?” He then turned to look at Levi, who was walking toward us. “Come here, Babydoll! He’s got a ca—”
I zipped back my jacket, then grabbed Jess’s neck and pulled him close before he could announce to the whole hospital that I had a freaking cat with me. Why did I assume that he’d change with age? He clearly hadn’t. I mean, his physique had changed, as it looked like the dude had gained a few pounds of muscle and no longer looked like a living stick figure. He had a few of his piercings back in and had also grown back his hair but kept its natural blondish color. Overall, he seemed to be in good shape.
“What’s his name?” Jessie asked at the same time Levi joined our little circle of three.
“Toro,” I said, then turned to look at Levi, who had definitely matured. His face had shed off those youthful features that made him look like a doll, and now, it was all sharp edges and high cheekbones. If he wasn’t so short, he could have been a model. That thought reminded me of his old nickname.
“What’s up, hombrecito ?”
Levi rolled his eyes. “And you’re still an asshole.”
I laughed because I fucking missed the little grump.
“Is that the way you welcome me back?”
“Well, I wouldn’t have to welcome you back if you’d never left in the first place.”
I even missed his passive-aggressive ass .
He coughed. “And just so you know, I am two inches taller.”
I tilted my head and raised one brow. “Is that so?” As he didn’t bother to answer, I glanced at the bouquet he was holding. “Are those for me?”
“No,” he snarled, his ears turning a bit red. “These are for Soren.”
He was always so easy to embarrass, and I missed teasing him.
“Can I hold him?” Jessie asked, changing the subject while already reaching toward my jacket.
I slapped his hand away. “No.”
“Please!” He pressed his palms together in a prayer while invading my personal space. At least he smelled good. “Please, Diesel, I want to touch him.”
“Touch what?” Levi frowned.
“His cat,” Andrei said, unable to hold back his amusement.
“His cat?”
Ugh . I forgot what a headache this group was.
Seeing that the coast was clear, I unzipped my jacket. Levi let out a short “oh” while Jessie squealed with excitement.
“Anything happens to him and I do the same to you, only twice as painful. Got it?” I warned Jessie, who nodded eagerly before snapping Toro from my hands. Once he darted away from us, I cursed his boney ass because he clearly didn’t hear a word I just said.
“Why did you adopt a cat?” Levi asked after he averted his gaze away from Jessie, who was now moving around in circles while hugging Toro close to his chest.
“Found him on the street, felt bad for leaving him there.” Andrei snorted, and I narrowed my eyes at him. “What’s that about?”
He grinned like a jackass. “A bit ironic, isn’t it?”
“Fuck off,” I hissed, not in the mood to be lectured.
Did I pick up Toro because my heart was already full of guilt over leaving Shay-Lee? Fuck yeah. But I didn’t need Andrei to point it out, nor did I need to watch the glee on Levi’s smug face. They were both being assholes, which was okay, I guessed.
“So Andrei said you’re a bodyguard now? ”
Oh yes , the little lie I told them yesterday. It was better than admitting that I was a criminal who cut off fingers when payments didn’t flow on time. My only consolation was that those people I hurt were motherfuckers who deserved to suffer. Abusive, violent, vile men who borrowed money to spend it on whores and gambling in the good cases and much darker shit in other cases. I remembered this one fucker who tried selling me his own ten-year-old daughter instead of paying his debt. Fuck . Just thinking about it pissed me off. By the time I was done with him, he was short one eye and had no teeth inside that dirty mouth of his.
“Yeah.” I rubbed the back of my head while trying to avoid thinking about how that asshole screamed for mercy. “Something like that.”
“That’s nice, I guess.” Levi hummed. “It suits you.”
“Oh, you’re all here,” someone said, and all three of us turned in time to see Chief walking toward us. He looked better than he did yesterday, yet he still looked exhausted.
Stopping beside us, he placed his hand on Levi’s shoulder. “Did you skip class to come here?”
Levi shook his head and brought the flowers closer to Chief. “These are for Soren. I made sure to ask for white ones.”
Chief smiled warmly. “That’s kind of you. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”
Levi smiled before breaking their stare, and I wondered why it was so important to pick white flowers. Clearly, they all knew things I didn’t, which made me feel like even more of an outsider.
“I’m so happy to see you again, Diesel,” Chief said, cutting into my thoughts and making me notice his attention was now on me. The look in his eyes, which I once thought was hesitant and unreliable, had changed over the years and was now full of confidence and warmth. He no longer looked at me like I was one big mistake waiting to occur but as someone who belonged. It flooded me with emotions I wasn’t at all interested in feeling, not when nothing was certain .
“I said I’d come.”
Chief chuckled, his eyes still focusing on me. “You did.”
Jessie’s whining caught all of our attention, and we looked in unison to see him arguing with a security guard. I rolled my eyes. Of course he’d get caught in less than five minutes.
“It’s just a harmless baby cat,” Jessie declared while not allowing the security man to take Toro from his hands. “Besides, he isn’t even mine!”
“You need to come with me,” the guard said.
“No way, dude!”
“What’s going on over there?” Chief asked us, looking more amused than worried when Jessie pointed at me.
“Diesel! Tell him it’s your cat.”
The guard pinned me with a harsh look. “Is that true?”
I shrugged. “I have no idea who this guy is.”
Jessie gasped, his bottom lip trembling as he gave me an offended look right before the guard escorted him back to the elevators. Well , Jessie better keep Toro safe.
“You’re such a jerk,” Levi muttered and shook his head.
Unlike him, Andrei was trying not to laugh, but the second our eyes met, we both burst out. It was probably inappropriate, given where we were, but it was simply too funny.
“I’ll go check on him,” Levi muttered before handing Chief the flowers. “We’ll be back soon.” Turning to me, he gave me an angry look. “Hopefully.”
“Make sure my cat is happy,” I told him before he flipped me off and left us three alone.
I’m sure he’s not actually angry with me.
“Those are pretty,” Chief said, then smelled the flowers. “But I better put them in water.”
“Don’t we have some vase in the room we can use?” Andrei asked.
“We used them all. You need to see the amount of flowers people have sent. I can open a florist shop.” Chief smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes, and it didn’t take a genius to see the stress and fear in them.
Of course he’d be anxious after his husband nearly died. I’d be the same. In fact, I’d forever remember the paralyzing fear that gripped me that day of graduation when I saw Christian and I knew something bad had happened to Shay-Lee. Pure fear that mixed with rage, followed by haunted days and sleepless nights.
The first few weeks in jail, I didn’t say a word to anybody, and only because I saw no point in it. I saw no point in living, let alone speaking, until Soren told me Shay-Lee was out of danger and would be okay. Deep down, I knew it was bullshit because as long as his father lived, he’d never be out of danger. Yet, understanding that Shay-Lee was alive changed my mind about the future, and I was willing to cooperate with Soren. It worked until the day the lawyer slammed that despicable file on the desk, revealing things I wished I’d never known—truths that changed everything and led me to kill .
Did I regret my actions? I wasn’t entitled enough to admit it because if I did, what was the point of it all? Regretting my decisions would make me a bigger fool than I already was.
“I can go buy a vase in the gift shop downstairs,” I said, distracting myself from those pitiful thoughts. Looking at the flowers Chief held, I smiled. “It would be a shame if they withered.”
“That would be great.” Chief placed his hand on my shoulder. “Thank you, Diesel.”
Thank you. These two little words twisted my gut at the same time his friendly touch weighed on my shoulder. There was nothing he or anyone else should be thanking me for. Since the day he took me in, I’d been an ungrateful bastard. Even now, I shouldn’t be here. Not until I was officially done with Dion. And yet, greedy to see them all, I came here today. Despite the fact I kept lying to their faces, telling them stories about how I worked as a bodyguard, I came here in an attempt to get my old life back.
Like I said, I was an ungrateful bastard. Funny enough, it was what my dad used to call me when I was a kid; who knew he was right for a change?
“Want me to join you?” Andrei offered, and I nodded.
“Sure.”
After we got a vase, we went outside to search for Levi and Jessie. They’d both calmed down and were busy playing with Toro under the shade of some tree. Jessie seemed to have fallen in love with my cat, so much that when I offered him to go back up instead of me, he refused, claiming he and Toro were still far from being done playing. Levi, on the other hand, did join us and hadn’t stopped complaining since we parted ways with Jessie.
Waiting for one of the two elevators to arrive, Andrei turned to face Levi.
“So what’s the problem if he likes Toro?”
“What do you mean, what’s the problem?”
The elevator finally arrived, and we all walked in.
“I mean, he looked happy out there,” Andrei said, pushing the floor’s number.
“Of course he was happy. Animals make Jessie happy, but now he wants a cat,” Levi grunted while rubbing the bridge of his nose. “We already have turtles, and it’s plenty of work. A cat would be even more work.”
“You have turtles?” I raised a questioning brow at him.
“Yes. Two. Jessie insisted on having turtles, and now I’m the one taking care of them.”
“How hard is it to take care of a turtle?” I snorted as the elevator reached the third floor. “I mean, what do they do other than eat lettuce?”
“You’d be surprised. They also eat carrots,” Andrei added, and we both laughed while Levi told us to shut it. Apparently, turtles took lots of time and care.
“Chief, we found one,” Andrei called while raising the vase in his hands after we saw him standing near Soren’s room while speaking on his phone. Once he noticed us, he hung up the call and shoved the phone into his back pocket.
Just then, the second elevator, the one we didn’t ride up in, tinged, and I turned in time to see its doors open. My heart immediately paused, and my chest tightened as if all the air in my lungs was vacuumed out of me when a glimpse of blond caught my eye. Unable to move a muscle, I stayed rooted to the floor as Shay-Lee walked out of the elevator. Time stopped moving as he slowly walked out, looking just as I remembered, only better, so much better. His hair was long again, reaching his shoulders and looking like a halo. His skin was tanned and beautiful, not pale and beaten as I’d last seen. He was fit and strong, not the broken bird who testified on that stand. He was my dreams, my life, my fucking God.
My breath caught in my dry throat, and my whole body ached with the anticipation for the moment he’d turn his head and our eyes would meet. I could already imagine the expression of surprise that would shine through his brilliant eyes and could hardly wait. My heart pounded so fast it felt like someone was constantly punching my chest, and I clenched my fists, almost tempted to call out his name. I’d waited four long years to see him, and somehow, these mere seconds in which I waited to catch his attention felt like an eternity.
My prayers were answered a second later as Shay-Lee turned his head and our eyes met. Like a dying man in his final breaths, I strived for this moment, where Shay-Lee’s stare hit me like the first ray of sun after a long storm, reaching the frost that had covered my heart for too long. My knees turned weak, and my muscles trembled as a slight shiver ran through me. With my eyes locked on his beautiful face, I was finally able to make my body function. The corner of my lips quirked up for the first genuine smile I had held in years, and I waited for him to react, only he didn’t, and his face remained a mask of indifference, almost like he didn’t recognize me. I’d waited for this moment ever since I’d last seen him, only for it to be over in an instant. Without so much as struggling, Shay-Lee averted his gaze and continued to walk toward Chief like I wasn’t even there.
What. The. Fuck.
“Shay-Lee,” I called after him and took a step closer, ignoring Andrei and Levi, who shifted uncomfortably beside me.
Still not acknowledging me, Shay-Lee stopped next to Chief. “I’m sorry it took me so long to get here,” he said while holding Chief’s hands.
Despite not talking to me, I cherished hearing his voice again.
“I was in Milan when you called, and a rainstorm delayed my flight,” he went on.
My heart nearly exploded with my need for him to look at me.
“Don’t worry about it. You came, and that’s what’s important,” Chief said, his eyes darting to me over Shay-Lee’s shoulder before returning his attention to him.
From the pity on Chief’s face, I guessed I looked as pathetic as I felt. Like a dog begging his owner to take him out for a piss, I kept staring at Shay-Lee’s back. But despite how badly I wanted him to turn around, he didn’t, and instead, he asked Chief if he could see Soren. Chief nodded and walked inside Soren’s room first, followed by Shay-Lee, who closed the door behind him as if I wasn’t right there waiting for him with my breath caught and my tongue nearly hanging out of my mouth in desperation.
“Diesel, are you okay—” Andrei began asking when I turned around to look for something.
My eyes latched on a small mirror that was on one of the walls, and I walked toward it, not caring that I’d pushed some nurse out of my way to get to it.
“Diesel—”
“Have I changed that much?” I asked, checking myself in the mirror while brushing my hand over my jaw. Apart from the ink I got on my neck, I had a few more scars added and had permanently rid my face of its scruff, but overall, I looked the same. Or maybe I didn’t ?
I jerked my head aside, eyes locked on Levi. “You,” I barked, startling him. “Did I look different when you first saw me?”
Levi’s eyes widened before he shook his head. “N-no.”
“What about you?” I hissed at Andrei, who sighed.
“I don’t think that’s the problem, Diesel… “
I frowned at him. “The fuck do you mean?” I looked back at the mirror, only to stare deep into my dark eyes. “He just walked past me,” I hissed, mostly to myself. “Like I was nothing.” A thought then occurred to me, and I moved quickly until I was in Andrei’s face. “Did he suffer from amnesia?” Maybe something had happened, and Shay-Lee had completely forgotten all about me. Yes. That was probably the case—
Levi’s low snort burst my line of thought, and I snapped. “What’s funny?”
He quickly got a hold of himself and straightened up with his hands shoved in his pockets. “N-nothing,” he muttered.
My anger grew, and I was ready to burst when Andrei spoke.
“It’s not a TV show, D. Shay-Lee didn’t miraculously lose his memory.” He held the vase we bought earlier tighter in his hands while pressing his lips together. “I told you you should be ready.”
“Bullshit,” I spat while trying to ignore the growing pain in my chest. I felt like I was running out of air. Placing my palm where my heart was beating fast, I grasped the T-shirt I had on underneath my jacket, trying to ease the ache. What the fuck was this?
“D, I think you’re stressed over being rejected.”
Rejection .
That was this demon nibbling through my bones like a hungry monster. Pure and utter rejection by the man I loved and who was supposed to still love me back. I was ready for anger. Anger, I could take. Anger, I could understand. I grew up as someone’s punching bag. I knew what it was to be on the receiving end of a stick. What I didn’t know was this repulsive feeling of being dismissed like a nameless stranger. I wasn’t ready for that, and I wasn’t about to accept it either .
I started walking in the direction of Soren’s room when I was forced to stop. Looking down, I saw Andrei holding on to my arm. He gripped me painfully, and I didn’t realize I was trying to fight him back until he held me harder.
“You need to calm the fuck down,” he warned, his voice bringing a bit of awareness back into my screwed-up head.
Looking around, I saw I’d managed to get people’s attention. Nurses were peeking at us from behind their counters, while a few patients stared at us, too.
The muscle in my jaw twitched, and I wasn’t sure what to do. I was so angry I wanted to cry, but maybe it wasn’t anger that filled my throat with tears but fear. Fear that I’d come back too late.
“Let’s sit down and wait for them,” Andrei offered.
Pressing my lips together, I nodded. “Fine.”
“Since when are they close?” I asked.
Taking Andrei’s advice, we now sat in the small sitting area outside Soren’s room. I guess there were some perks in private hospitals. After Levi went to find Jessie, it was just Andrei and me in here.
“Soren and Shay-Lee?” Andrei asked after taking his eyes off his phone.
“Yeah.”
“Pretty much since they met, I guess?” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not sure why they became close, but they did. Shay-Lee even attended their wedding.”
That’s interesting.
Leaning forward, I eyed him. “So you’re all cool with him, with Shay-Lee?” It was such a weird question to ask. It might have happened years ago, but in the beginning, Shay-Lee did awful things to Andrei and the rest of our group. And while I was able to forgive it all, Andrei hadn’t. I knew my arrest and Shay-Lee’s attack had changed things, but still.
“We’re no longer stupid kids, and given everything Shay-Lee has been through… let’s just say it was easier to move on.” Andrei’s voice came out a bit choked, and he coughed to clear his throat. “Having said that, we’re not exactly friends. He and Miles do meet from time to time, though.”
I raised my brow at him.
“What’s with that face?” He frowned.
“Nothing.” Closing my eyes, I tucked my arms behind my head and stretched my legs forward. “Just surprised you two are still a thing. I always thought you’d break up.”
“Oh, screw you, D.” Andrei smacked my chest, and I snorted a laugh.
He probably thought I was teasing him, only I truly believed they’d break up at some point. Guess the joke was on me, considering how my fiancé wanted nothing to do with me now. My stomach flopped like I’d just been kicked, and I quickly straightened in my chair. Fiancé , huh? I’m so pathetic. I’d asked Shay-Lee to marry me on a whim some warm summer night nearly five years ago. We were a pair of stupid kids, and yet I had held on to that promise we made under the moonlight ever since. But I guess being faithful after leaving like an asshole meant nothing.
Just before I was about to be drawn into self-pity again, the door to Soren’s room opened, and out walked Shay-Lee. I immediately jumped to my feet while Andrei stayed seated. Not that I cared. In a matter of seconds, my world zeroed down to one person, and that person was still intent on ignoring me. I called his name, but instead of looking our way, Shay-Lee closed the door behind him and began walking toward the elevators.
Never being one not to grab what he wanted, I followed him.
“Shay-Lee,” I said as he continued to walk, not even slowing down.
Fuck .
Still not spitting a word my way, he stopped in front of the elevators and pushed the call button. While waiting, he pulled out his phone from his bag and began scrolling through it as if I wasn’t standing right beside him.
“For God’s sake, at least look at me,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm despite the storm raging inside of me at being in his proximity. He smelled different than I remembered, not as sweet. Almost like a foreign scent had taken over him.
“I know you’re angry, but I’ll explain everything.”
His lips quirked up into a smile. Only it wasn’t sweet or kind but vengeful and cold. “You think I’m angry?” he sneered, eyes still glued to his phone screen.
Surprised he answered me, I swallowed hard. “Then what are you—”
“I simply don’t give a shit.”
The elevator arrived, and he slipped his phone back into his tote bag before stepping in. I stayed outside and watched him put on his sunglasses. He looked so out of reach that, for a moment, I wondered if I’d ever held him in my arms in the first place.
The elevator doors were about to close when I stopped them with my hand and took half a step to keep them open.
“Just… let me explain.”
Pursing his lips, he lifted his chin. “Nah, I don’t have time to waste on you.”
Time .
That damn word came back to bite me in the ass.
I gave up four years of my life, thinking it would do us good, but the only thing it did was pull us apart.
Tamping down my damaged pride, I stepped back and watched Shay-Lee’s numb expression until the elevator’s doors slowly closed, and once again, he was out of my sight.