“Yeah, we just arrived.” I can’t escape now, might as well embrace the disaster.
I feel a hot glare and instinctively turn to Justin. He’s watching me while the leech attaches herself to his arm permanently.
“Hi, I’m Lou.” The woman waves at me with a wide smile. “And this is Justin.” She pats his hand, and my eyes zero in on the movement.
"She knows," Justin says in a neutral but accusing voice.
"Oh." Lou unlatches herself from Justin's arm. "Did I step on someone's toes here?" She laughs nervously, looking a little lost. I feel a little like a dick for assuming she’s just another wandering vagina.
I say "no," just as Justin says "yes."
“O-o-oh.” Freya singsongs.
I stare at him in bewilderment, and he holds my gaze without blinking, trying to communicate something I can’t quite comprehend.
“You didn’t step anywhere.” I try to smile at her but miserably fail as Justin shoots me another glare and adds:
“You did. I’m not available.” Justin spits.
“Hm,” she hums at him, “I see... Good luck; you'll need it." She says to me and walks away, flipping her hair over her shoulder. Freya snickers and takes the veggies out of the bags.
“Well, that was enlightening.” She hums under her breath.
“Care to share with the class?” I ask her, annoyed. Did I step into a parallel universe? What the hell is happening?
“Ah, no. Oh!” She points her finger to the ceiling. “I forgot something. Be right back!” And she escapes the sinking ship.
I move my attention to Justin. This situation won’t resolve on its own. “Why did you say that to her?”
“What exactly?” He asks as he leans on the wall, crossing his legs.
“That you’re unavailable.”
“That’s because I am.” He walks to the fridge and pulls a beer out. “Want one?” He asks me, but I just shake my head.
“I didn’t know you’re dating somebody.” I’m totally fishing here.
“I’m not.” He takes a sip and leans on the counter.
“Oh.”
“Why don’t you ask me the question you really want to ask?” He smirks.
I fume silently as he enjoys my struggle. He got me there. He knows I want to ask what he meant, but I can’t say it out loud.
“Okay, Justin. You won.Whydid you tell her that?” I give up and ask the most important question that's been eating at my mind for the past few minutes.
“Because I’m interested in someone else right now.”
“Oh. And who is that?”
He chuckles, finishes his beer, drops the bottle into the trash, and leaves. So much for answering the question. I’m fuming for the rest of the day. Archie left me alone with his constant attempts to rile Justin up by touching and flirting with me. Justin deflected all advances thrown his way from the ladies present and remained stoic and mysterious. I won’t lie, it made me a little bit happier than I was before I arrived.
Okay, fine, a lot happier.
“Kayla!” Freya yells from outside.
“Comin’!” I call, getting up to go to see what she needs.Oh, fuck me. She’s talking to Jake. My face must have changed, becoming sour because her eyes widen as she motions with her hand to come join them. Oh, with pleasure. After the jail incident, we haven’t had many interactions. He left me alone and then went off to this rehab thing. Hopefully, they'll fix his desire to torture me along with all his other issues. Plus, now that Justin knows the truth, I suspect he told Jake as well, and maybe, just maybe, my life will be a little easier.
