Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
“Our secrets are our most prized possessions.
Because they hide our deepest pain and nature from those who would never understand us.
After all, secrets shape us into who we are.
As in silence lives truth, and that truth can be deadly.”
Lavender
Lavender
I walk toward my table, my shoes squeaking against the old parquet earning myself several glares on the way.
The spacious, bright library with a domed ceiling consists of long hallways of seemingly endless bookshelves and countless tables spread throughout.
Each table has its own lamp and even supplies like pens and paper, allowing students and guests to choose the most comfortable corners to sit and focus on their work without distractions.
Replicas of old paintings with famous quotes are scattered across the walls, beautiful and haunting, almost inviting you to study their artists more deeply, as their art has endured for centuries.
I head toward the librarian’s desk that’s located closer to the ancient mythology section and smile at the girl sitting behind the older-than-life computer, typing something furiously while adjusting her huge and unflattering gray glasses on her nose every other second.
“Hey, girl,” I greet her, placing the muffin bag in front of her, and she lifts her gaze to me. “How are you?”
She beams at me, pushing her rolling chair back, and gets up.
“Lavender. What are you doing here?” She bites her lip, and she quickly takes out a thick brown planner from her washed-up gray backpack.
“Did I mix up my days again? I was sure it was my turn to hold the fort.” She flips through the pages, her brow furrowing, and she sighs.
“I’m so sorry, Lavender. I’ll pack my things. ”
My heart pangs painfully at the sight of her distress because this particular girl works two part-time jobs while studying hard to keep her scholarship, all the while dealing with some psychological trauma if her constant need to apologize is anything to go by.
We’ve met a few times over the past week, and every single time, she found a new way to say sorry, while keeping her stare glued to the floor.
Sometimes she speaks so quietly, I have to strain to hear the words.
I put my hand on her arm. “Everything’s okay. I just decided to hang out here today. Don’t worry.”
Her shoulders sag in relief, and she grins at me, her hazel eyes warming up. “Thank God. I’d hate to step on your shoes, so to speak,” she mutters, and points at the bag. “What’s this?”
“Muffins. They are really tasty.” Her stomach rumbles, and her cheeks heat. “You should try them.”
“No, no. I’ll have my sandwich a bit later.” She wraps her hand around her steaming mug of tea, taking a small sip. “What brought you here anyway? Midterms?”
“I’ve had some already. These are for you,” I insist, knowing full well she only eats that peanut butter sandwich during the day, saving as much money as she can for her other expenses.
She has to fend for herself, and, as far as I know, even her wealthy best friend makes her pay her share for all their outings.
Still can’t wrap my head around that. “Since I’m here anyway, do you need any help, Aurelia?
” I’m eyeing the stack of books on the counter that probably needs to be put back in its place. “Midterms make people read.”
“It will be even busier soon. Right now, they are more focused on their projects, I think.” She sits back in her chair, tears an antibacterial tissue, wipes her hands, then sneaks it into the bag and fishes out a chocolate muffin. “Thank you so much for this.”
Throwing my purse on the desk, I pick up one of the books from the stack and check the sections on the card.
Maybe, with my help, we can finish the task faster so she can go back to studying for her biology class.
I can see her notes under her keyboard, even from up here.
I’ve heard that class is hell for her because the professor hates her.
Strange.
Aurelia opens her mouth to take the first bite, only to freeze when a male voice speaks.
“Isn’t it against the rules to eat in the library?
” Wyatt asks, winking at me, then drills his harsh stare on Aurelia, who squeezes the muffin so hard that her fingers cut into the chocolate.
“You should lead by example, and instead you engage in disappointing behavior.”
I’m surprised by his tone. It’s mocking and downright cruel. I didn’t think he was capable of having such a pitch because he’s a constant flirt who seems to adore women.
Clearly, I was wrong.
Aurelia puts the muffin away, dusts her hands, and sits up straight.
She resumes her typing as Wyatt leans on the counter, drumming his fingers on the wood while he watches her.
“Do you need something?” I ask him, wanting to redirect his attention from Aurelia, whose chest rises and falls at his presence.
The girl usually is super quiet around men, everyone really, but this reaction is extreme even for her.
“It isn’t your shift, darling.” How does he know that? “So I’m waiting for the librarian of the day to do her job. Unless she hates it and wants my help in quitting it, it can be arranged.”
“Wyatt!” What the hell is the matter with him? I would have expected such behavior from Levi after what he has done, still…
The minute thoughts of the blond-haired devil enters my mind, he appears in the hallway, having several people look at him and whispering something to each other, just as he joins us in three long strides. “Ladies,” he greets us, and Aurelia nods, swallowing hard. “What’s going on?”
Seemingly ignoring everything around him, Wyatt drops a piece of paper on the keyboard with what seems to be a never-ending list, and says, “I need help in finding these books.”
Aurelia picks it up, trembling, and reads it. I walk around the counter and peek over her shoulder, my jaw hitting the floor. “These titles are spread all over the library in different sections and mostly on the top shelves.”
Wyatt lifts his brow. “I’m aware.” His green eyes flick to Aurelia, who lifts her head at that moment, and they lock in a hard stare-off. “Isn’t it the librarian’s job to help us, the curious readers?”
“Aurelia would need to run around the place with a ladder to get them all for you. And all these are super heavy. You expect her to do all that on her own?” I ask in disbelief, my muscles hurting just imagining her having to carry all these books.
He rubs his chin with the back of his hand. “Would that be a problem?”
Aurelia stands, grabbing the paper and shaking her head. “No. I’ll get them for you.” The words are barely audible as she seems to choke on all of them. “I’ll need a bit of time, though.”
Wyatt smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. In fact, complete viciousness fills them. “I have fifteen minutes to spare.”
I open my mouth to argue with him, because how the hell does he expect her to do that in fifteen minutes? However, Aurelia’s begging gaze stops me, and she pats my hand before going to the end of the library to the medical section, where we store our ladder.
Crossing my arms and exhaling a heavy breath at her back, it takes me a second to realize the men’s attention is on me, so I say, “You’re acting like an asshole right now, Wyatt. And before you throw some smart-ass comment that’s funny only to you two, that was not a compliment.”
I spin on my heel, gather my things, and almost sprint toward the table in the dark corner.
It’s away from everyone else, with a huge lamp above it, creating a quiet ambience to work.
It’s usually occupied, so I’m glad to see it empty.
Hopefully, some solace will give me time to calm my thoughts and make sense out of this strange day so far.
I sit by the wall, putting my purse in the nearby chair, and take out a thick book from it that piqued my interest yesterday at work. Flipping it open, I get my phone out too as it vibrates inside my purse.
We thought you’d want to see it.
I click on the attached photo and gasp in wonder at seeing Aileen in her gorgeous wedding dress that’s hugging her slender body in all the right places as the seamstress adjusts the corset laces on her back. With her long dark hair and graceful neck, she reminds me of a siren.
And she must be one since my brother is obsessed with her.
She’s beautiful.
Wish you were here. They have your favorite macaroons.
She sends another attachment with the cookies and tea.
We decided to shop for bridesmaid dresses next week. Let us know when you’re free.
My heart warms at their insistence on making this whole experience a family thing, where we can get closer to one another. While these two will always have a special place in my heart…they are still my brothers’ women, and they have no secrets from each other.
And as such, I can never trust them with mine.
So a genuine friendship is impossible between us.
“Interesting choice of literature.” I almost jump out of my seat when Levi drops into the chair opposite mine, goose bumps popping all over me at his rigid muscles when he removes his jacket and showcases all his tattoos.
He throws it on the chair next to him before resting his arm on it, seemingly staring right into my soul, his blue eyes turning almost navy under the library’s dimmed lights.
Annoyance travels through me for noticing such things about a guy who is a decade younger than me and who almost ruined my first adult social event.
I should not find this guy attractive, and nervousness swirls in the pit of my stomach at his presence.
I press my feet harder against the floor, resisting the urge to sprint somewhere and hide out until he leaves.
Levi Scott can go fuck himself if he thinks he can intimidate me, my confusing emotions be damned.
“Well, thank you. I don’t know what I would have done without your stamp of approval.”