The Ink That Haunts Us

Chapter Fourteen

I always felt a sense of pride living on my own. It was something I hadn't ever experienced before moving to Colorado and the independence made me feel strong. Having my own space was nice, but I admit I missed sharing my space with someone else. Until I started living with Mack again, I hadn't realized how lonely I had become.

    Things with Derek were rocky. He hadn't spoken to me since the night he stormed out of Mack's house a week ago. When I tried to talk to him the next day, he walked right past me as if I wasn't even there. Freya held me back as I tried to march after him. She insisted he needed space and he would come around. The fact that he was even mad in the first place was ridiculous to me. If it weren't for Freya, I would have already told him to get his head out of his ass.

    After that day, I didn't bother to talk to him. If he wanted to ignore me, fine. I would ignore him right back. By the end of the week, I realized my plan had completely backfired. Derek hadn't even seemed to notice. If I walked into the room, he would leave or stop talking altogether.

    "He is so freaking rude! He can't act like I'm invisible forever. Eventually, he will have to get his big head out of his ass and talk to me." I slammed the drawer to my desk closed and stomped to the other side of the room. "Ugh! It's just so... so childish! He should understand my decision and respect it."

    Lost in my rant, I hadn't heard my door open.

    "Um, who are you talking to?" Freya asked from behind me.

    Slamming my purse onto the counter, I shoved my phone and a few other items inside angrily.

    "This is bullshit. You know what? It's fine. So freaking fine! He can ignore me all he wants. What do I care? The stupid, pig-headed, arrogant, stubborn giant!" I slung my bag over my shoulder and turned to face Freya.

    "Are you okay?" She gave me a curious look and I could see humor lurking underneath the surface.

    "Perfectly fine. I am just great!" I declared with false cheer.

    She stepped to the side as I brushed past. I stomped my way down the hall towards the reception area where Mack was waiting. When he spotted me, his eyebrows lifted in surprise. He looked to Freya in question.

    "She was pissed when I found her," Freya said, holding her hands up.

    "Saw," Mack called as I started past him to the door.

    "Save it," I snapped. "Let's go home."

    I was giving a whole new meaning to stomping pissed. Shoving the door open, I found Jensen, Tyler, and Derek on the other side huddled together, talking. My eyes narrowed on them, but I held my tongue as I stalked past them. When they caught sight of me, they abruptly stopped talking and Derek started to move away. My anger boiled over and I lost the hold I had.

    "No, no. Don't stop because of me. You already pretend I don't exist, and I'm just passing by to get to the car. Carry on with your oh so important conversation." I probably looked deranged with my hands in the air waving around as I walked to Mack's car.

    "Dude, do something." I heard Tyler mumble to Derek.

    I shot daggers at them as I pulled the car door open and climbed inside. They could all get bent for all I cared. The assholes. The whole lot of them. They could at least do a better job at hiding the fact they were talking about me. It was so obvious and only fueled my anger.

    Anger burned through me so hot, that I felt like I was going to explode. I couldn't recall a time I had been this angry. I wanted to scream for all I was worth, then scream some more. I leaned my head back onto the headrest and closed my eyes. I focused on my breathing, trying to let calm spread through me. Just when I felt like I was at a more manageable level, there was a rap on the window. I let out a breath before opening my eyes to find the sole reason behind my anger peering at me.