"I guess we do."
Now, all I have to do is hope that he's not going to turn on me and actually kill me. It's the kind of move I would make.
And then, if I survive, somehow I have to convince Summer that I'm not the monster she likely thinks I am.
Easier said than done.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
SUMMER
KillingNoah might've been easier than trying to carry on with my life while pretending I don't miss him.
It sure as hell would've been easier than the arguments I've had with Aiden over the course of the last two weeks about what I can and can't do with my own life.
Even now, he's barely talking to me. I don't know what he's trying to punish me for...leaving Noah alive, not escaping when I had the chance, falling for his enemy. I don't know, but whatever Aiden's reason is, I'm getting sick and fucking tired of it.
And I'm starting to think now more than ever that I don't have a place with my family. Not one that feels like mine, at least. Not the way it used to, where I'd just slot myself into their lives and be whatever they needed me to be.
It doesn't feel right anymore.
Téa waves her hand in front of my face. "Earth to Summer. Come on. You look like you're lost in space, and really you should be thinking about the fact that you're going to be done with school for the summer soon."
I groan and lean back on the pool lounger, grateful Aiden has an indoor pool with heating. It's nice out, the sun shining outside the windows, but there's a chill to the air that would make getting in the outdoor pool absolutely miserable.
The plastic beneath me squeaks as I shift around. "I don't know what I'm going to do over the summer, though. I barely passed this year, and there's still some time left. I have one more class to finish before I'm done. Not to mention there's still what I'm going to do next year."
Her eyebrows pull together, bottom lip turning slightly into a pout. "What are you talking about? You're going to be here, aren't you?"
"I don't know." I slip off the lounger and into the pool, using the couple of moments underwater as some time to think of what to say.
When I pop back up, she's still sitting on the edge of the pool, her long legs dangling in the water.
Téa shakes her head. "I know you think running away now is a good idea, but I'm sure you're going to regret that."
"I'm not running away."
She slips into the water, skimming her hands over the surface as she wades toward the deep end. "Sure, you're definitely not running from the fact that you shot the guy you might be in love with and left him for dead."
I send a wave of water her way. "I didn't leave him for dead. We should get out and go get the last of my boxes. I want to be fully out of here and into the apartment, at least over the summer, so I have time to think about everything."
Her face softens a little. "Fine, but once we get back to your place, we're going to be talking more."
"We don't have to."
She rolls her eyes and swims over to the side, hauling herself out.
I follow her, grabbing the fluffy white towel from one of the loungers and wrapping it tightly around my body. Water drips down my legs as I walk with her to the changerooms.
The last thing I want to do is talk about the plans I have for my life, but I know her, and I know she's not going to let it go.
\\\*
Téa leansagainst the stack of boxes in the kitchen, looking around the apartment. "That's the last box. I can't believe you never fully moved in here."
"Seemed like it was too good to be true when Aiden finally let me go out on my own. Didn't want to bring anything if he was going to have those bodyguards drag me back whenever he felt like it. You're staying the night tonight, aren't you?" I open the fridge and pull out a bottle of white wine, cracking it open.
"Who else is going to help you unpack all of this? It seems like you're barely talking to your family these days."