I’m all jumbled up. I have no idea what I should do. All I know is that I need to make a decision before that water stops or it’s gonna end up making my decision for me.
I know these feelings I have for Arden aren’t fleeting, but I also know that I’m not ready to face the demons that come with being with someone like him.
I don’t want to make the same mistakes my mother did. Still does.
The water stops and I make my choice. Jumping from the bed, I run into the living room, grab the towel and sprint into my room. I should just close the door behind me but I can’t help and see his reaction. I peek my eye through the tiniest slit in the door, watching the steam pour out of the bathroom as he leaves.
He looks delicious in just a towel with the water drops glistening on his stomach. I have to hold back the urge to burst out of the room and jump him for round two. Arden turns his back and looks into his doorway, stopping before entering. His shoulders drop slightly and I know I’ve disappointed him. He shouldn't be surprised, we have rules. But still, I don’t like to see him upset.
He turns, looking at my door and I back away so he can’t see me. Hopefully he sees my ajar door as a beacon that I haven’t shut him out completely. The door is slightly open and so is my heart. Whether I want it to be or not.
Chapter Thirty
Danika
Therestoftheweek is a blur of studying, note taking and angry book throwing. Don’t worry, no people or books were harmed in the process. But I feel so overwhelmed by these classes that by the time Friday night comes, I want to bury my head in the sand and give up altogether.
Arden has been great all week. Keeping me fed and hydrated. He even washed a load of my laundry for me. I seriously don’t know what I’d do without him.
Even though I’ve been insanely busy all week, it hasn’t stopped me from falling into bed with Arden every night, the only sure way to get me to relax these days. I still leave right after and sleep in my own bed, but he doesn’t seem to mind. At least, he hasn’t said anything. Not even an offer, not since Tuesday night.
As much as I want to have a repeat of every other night this week, I’m seriously so exhausted I think I could fall asleep right where I’m standing. Arden orders us a pizza and I’m picking a movie that I’m pretty sure I’m only going to watch the first ten minutes of when there’s a knock on the door.
“Delivery already?”
“No way,” Arden says, walking to the door. “I only ordered it five minutes ago.” He peeks in the peephole and lets out a laugh. “Oh boy.”
“Who is it?” I’m starting to get worried, we don’t usually get visitors. Or never, we never get visitors.Who could it be?
He opens the door and a tornado of brown and blonde crashes into the apartment.
Margot hands Arden a huge brown paper bag probably full of food and Sydney kicks off her shoes, putting her reusable water bottle down on the counter.
“Danika!” Sydney shouts and I’m off the couch instantly, the blanket I had on my lap getting all tangled in my legs but I don’t let it stop me.
“Syd! Mars!” Running over to them, I stop just shy of their figures and they look at me like I’ve lost my mind. Immediately, I burst into tears.
“Oh my god.”
“I missed you guys so much,” I cry, grabbing them both and pulling them closer to me. “I’m so happy you’re here.” I’m crying into both their shoulders and they’re rubbing my back simultaneously.
“Did you tell them to come?” I ask Arden.
He holds his hands up in mock surrender. “I wish I did, but I had nothing to do with it. Can’t take any credit.”
I don’t want to let the girls go but we are crowded in the dining room and I’m sure they want to come relax after traveling to get here.
“I’ll get out of your hair, ladies. Enjoy your evening,” Arden says, backing away toward his room.
“Not just yet, I came to see my big brother, too.” Margot stops him and I finally release my best friends.
“Yeah, Ard, stay a while. We got enough pizza for all of us.”
“If you insist.”
Margot produces a bottle of wine from her bag and after commanding her brother to get us glasses and a bottle opener, we crash on the couch in the living room.
“How long are you guys staying for?”