“Come on, bro-to-bro.”
Bro… to…My nose twitches involuntarily and I shake my head.
“You just seem like you have a lot on your mind. I get it, I’ve been out at sea for weeks, and I finally feel?—”
I whirl around just as he’s about to settle himself against the wooden railing beside me. Grabbing a fistful of his shirt, I yank him close, my face inches from his.
“Shut the fuck up. What makes you think I give afuckabout where you have been? Unless you want me to tear your godsdamn throat out, leave… me… alone!”
He keeps that smile plastered on his face, raising his hands, one still gripping his lime with a dash of tequila. “My bad. I get it.” A nervous laugh escapes his lips. “The woman in my life is pretty angry too.”
A disgusted sound comes from my throat and I toss him backward before turning away. Grabbing onto my phone, which buzzes once again, I open up the texts and completely ignore if he leaves or stays.
Sydni
“Rhyse, please come back”
“I know it’s frustrating, but don’t leave me with them”
“I miss her too…”
“I also miss Mister…”
“I hope you know I don’t blame you for anything.”
“Okay…”
“I’m going to the library alone”
“The internet doesn’t have enough on Phiny. I’m hoping some textbooks will give me something”
“Where are you?”
“I may have found something”
“Please stop ignoring me…”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Syd, I’m sorry. No, you haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m still at the library. Niyla is here with Brice. They followed me here”
“Alaric went out looking for you”
“Can you come here? Please”
“Yes, let me finish what I’m doing.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. See you shortly”
I’man asshole for leaving Sydni, because the moment I walk through the library, she sprints right up to me and envelops me in a hug. I wet my lips, and berate myself internally for being this way.
I run a hand down her dark, sapphire hair, releasing a sigh through my nose.
