5. Chapter Four
Chapter Four
Scarlett
Isit inside the car for a few seconds once I’m buckled up, checking my mirrors and rooting around in the glove box for the bag of mints I know I put in there. Once I find the bag, I pop a couple in my mouth and drop the open bag on to the passenger seat within easy reach.
That’s when the sudden rush of pain washes over me, making me gasp so hard I instantly swallow one of the mints. I roll the window down and spit the other one out before I start coughing.
Ugh. That was gross.
My throat feels weird.
The shock of that minor physical irritation covers up the burst of searing emotional angst for a few seconds before it comes swinging right back, making my hands curl into fists, my stomach churn, and my throat tighten.
Pure, scalding-hot rage floods through my veins.
My nails cut into my palms as that potent emotion washes over me.
A low growl erupts from my lips, and I know I must look demonic right now.
Then, that charged spike of anger fades out into something much heavier.
Tension leaves my body as a feeling of numbness takes over.
Grief.
It’s not something I’ve experienced often, but it’s familiar enough to identify now.
Pain caused by loss is the worst kind of pain, if you ask me.
Nothing can soothe that feeling.
I shudder as it seeps into me, leaning back and closing my eyes.
I’m not going to be able to work out why I’m drowning in someone else’s pain unless I can push past these borrowed feelings and get back my own focus to figure it out.
I take in a slow, deep breath, and a tear slips through my lashes.
I’m not okay right now. I can’t pretend I am.
God, it hurts.
Starting to shake, I exhale.
Just breathe, Scar. The pain isn’t yours. You need to let it go.
Another deep breath. Tears roll down my cheeks.
Thankfully, you’re wearing waterproof mascara.
That thought makes me snort.
Oh, thank God.
I’m finally starting to separate myself from this surprise emotional bombing.
The intensity starts to fade, but I don’t understand how this happened.
It’s not because of Karma. I know that without having to think twice about it.
She’s gaining more than she’s going to lose from what she’s going through.
Her emotions might be all over the place, but they’re not this heavy.
I’ve never felt this bad before in my life … well, except for when I was a dumb teenage Omega who made the mistake of getting too tangled up in someone else’s feelings.
That was a lesson learned the hard way.
High school was the worst, but that isn’t what this is.
This is too random, too sudden and overwhelming …
It’s got to be Sapphire.
We have a strong bond as twin sisters, and I’ve always been able to feel it when she’s in trouble.
I don’t know what’s wrong right now, but she’s not okay and I need to help her.
I ignore the tears that are rolling down my cheeks as I yank my oversized purse into my lap.
I riffle through my purse until I find my cell phone, and I hit Sapphire’s speed-dial the second I get my hands on it. She answers as I put the phone up to my ear.
“Please tell me you’ve never matched to a guy called Ben on Every Beta?”
Ugh. This is about a guy. Whoever the hell he is, he deserves to be torn apart by horses for hurting my sister, but that’s not what she needs to hear right now.
I snort at the question. “Ben? What kind of shithead name is that? Is it short for Benjaline? No, I’ve never matched with anyone on that stupid site. You know I don’t use dating apps. Why are you asking? And why did you rage out a minute ago? Is it because of that asshole Benjaline?”
She gasps out a breath. “You felt that?”
“Of course I did. My twin sister is in pain. How could I not feel it?”
“Oh, Scar. I’ve missed you.” She sounds like she’s ready to cry.
It reminds me I have tears rolling down my face.
“I’ve missed you, too, Saph. It’s been a long time.”
“Things got busy for a while,” she says, as if she needs an excuse for us not seeing each other.
My own guilt rises for not making the effort, but I push it back down quickly.
We chose separate paths in life.
It doesn’t mean we stopped being sisters.
We’re still there for each other when it matters.
“Ugh, I know, right? It’s been a year since I was even in the city. That’s how much time has passed since we met for lunch at that weird pizza joint.”
She makes a humming sound before she says, “It’s almost been a year and a half, actually.”
“No shit,” I murmur, not believing it.
Has it really been that long since I drove out to the city? Eighteen months since I talked to my twin face to face?
That’s crazy.
“Anyway, my point is, it’s time for a visit.”
“Okay,” she agrees. “Silver Valley, or Cressidan City?”
“It’s been too long since I came to the city. I’ll come to you.”
I already felt like I needed the drive. Now, I have a real reason to make the journey.
“And I’ll bring the ice-cream,” I add, knowing it’s what she needs.
Hell, after feeling what she felt when she found out her guy was cheating, I could use some comfort foods, as well as a good hard hit of alcohol.
We say our goodbyes and I drop the phone back into my purse.
I hunt for a tissue and once I have one, I pull down the sun visor to use the hidden mirror.
Patting the tears dry is all I really seem to need.
My mascara hasn’t run, and my base is still flawless thanks to the finishing spray I use.
I let out a relieved sigh as I put my purse back down on the floor at the passenger side.
Dropping the tear-stained tissue onto the passenger seat, I take in one last calming deep breath.
I’m no longer shaky and emotional. Talking to Sapphire and finding out she isn’t in mortal danger helped with that. Now, all I am is mad that some asshole Beta out there hurt the best person I know.
My twin deserves better than that. So much better.
I slap the sun visor closed and turn the key in the ignition.
It’s time to get moving. I have a long drive ahead, and as much as I know I’ll enjoy it, I don’t like the thought of leaving Sapphire alone for too long when she’s just had her heart broken.