“And?” she sounded excited.
“And I sat there being jealous of my little sister,” I said into my chest, ashamed at my words. Elissa reached out and took my hand.
“It’s natural for you to feel like that. It’s what you wanted.” She smiled softly, trying to reassure me.
“She wants to become a doctor.”
“Eesh,” Elissa said, making a face. “That’s a bitch,” she breathed. “Look, I know how much you sacrificed; I think they both know. It’s okay to feel this way. You’re entitled to feel resentment.”
“It’s not right,” I insisted.
“Addie, you’re a human being not a fucking robot. Obviously, you’re going to feel some sort of bitterness, just as long as you admit it and move on. I think you’ll be fine,” she explained.
“I don’t feel human,” I said, annoyed with myself.
“You said it aloud and took ownership of your feelings. That’s the first step to moving forward. Addie, you have so much time ahead of you. You’re not dead. Your life is not set in stone. You now have the money and the time to figure out what you want. Take it and use it.” She winked. “Now, about Daimon…”
“You mean Lucifer?” I corrected.
“Sure.”
“He’s a douche. He made me feel bad and abandoned me on New Year’s Eve because of Darren,” I admitted.
“Darren?” she questioned.
“Yeah, he came by the penthouse and wanted to talk. He said he tried calling me, but Daimon blocked his number.”
“I kind of knew Darren had a thing for you. I get where Daimon’s coming from too. He’s worried you’ll run off with the reliable Darren, the safe and loving Darren,” she remarked.
“Daimon is neither safe nor loving. Let’s not forget he’s unreliable,” I stated.
“Yeah, but that boy loves you like crazy mad. It’s fear he’s feeling, babe,” she shrugged.
“Give me a break. Darren wouldn’t do anything.”
“Darren is a man who is in love with you. He might not notice it now, but he’s desperate and desperate people do stupid things,” she said.
“So you’re saying what Daimon did was fine and I was wrong?” I asked affronted.
“No! I’m saying it’s a fucked-up situation. Darren has to take a step back, let his feelings for you stop before he can come around again. Daimon sees him as a threat and the man hates feeling threatened.” She picked up her coffee and took a sip.
“I know. He’s so dark and so…broken. I can’t figure him out sometimes,” I admitted softly as I played with what was left of my cookie.
“Don’t. You live your life, Addie. Fuck him if he can’t deal with you.”
“Do you mind if I stay at your place for tonight?” I asked.
“You and Daimon fighting, a reality show for my eyes only? Of course you can.” She stuck out her tongue.
“Thanks.”
“Anytime, babe.”
After our little shopping spree, Elissa and I ended up at her place eating pizza. She put on the movie The Princess Bride. She had said that every time Westley said, ‘As you wish,’ we had to take a shot of vodka, the shot of whisky was reserved for Montoya and every time he said, ‘Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.’ By the end of it, I was completely drunk. I didn’t even know when I was exactly supposed to take a shot, but whenever Elissa gave me one, I did it. At one point, I vaguely heard my phone ringing, but I ignored it, no longer caring about Daimon’s issues and what happened between us.
Elissa and I both passed out on the floor where we were sitting. I grunted as I woke up, my body protesting the awkward position I was in. I reached out and took my purse, finally finding my phone. I had eight missed phone calls and ten texts.
Daimon:Where r u?
Daimon:Addie, pick up the fucking phone!
Daimon:Addie, get ur ass home NOW!
Daimon:u better call me!
Daimon:Addie, where the fuck r u?!
Daimon:I get it I was wrong to leave. call me
Daimon:Fuck, Addie, don’t be such a bitch just call me
Daimon:R u with Darren?
Daimon:I cant find u anywhere
Daimon:Addie, please just call me
Daimon:im worried, just text to tell me ur ok
Daimon:im sorry about last night and how I left. im really worried so pls just call me
I scrolled through my messages. He sent one every hour. I stared at them wondering what to do. I finally caved in and texted him back.
Me:Im alive & fine
My phone rang almost immediately afterward.
“Hello?” I answered, my voice croaky.
“Where in the fucking hell are you?” he seethed.