Athena

62. Left Behind

The two of us remain on the mattress, laying side by side. Cruz's words hang in the air like an omen.

I'll go back home.

Whatever happened to fighting for our futures together?

Or has he been planning to ditch me from the moment we left Ron's house?

I feel betrayed. Duped. Every instinct rejects his unthinkable idea. "You're not going back to Ron. End of story."

Cruz shifts a little. His shoulder touches mine. I can feel the tension radiating from his muscles. Quietly, he starts to protest, "But I've already decided—"

My head snaps toward him. Desperation catches in my throat as I cut him off, rushing to say in a choked-up manner, "I-I love you too much, Cruz Recker, to ever let you go back to your dad."

Even now, he's refusing to look my way. Dismay tightens around my chest, gripping my heart in a godawful vice. This agonizing disconnect between us is crushing me. A need to reconnect claws through me.

A wince passes over Cruz's handsome face as though he hates the idea of going back home, too.

Yet, what he might be feeling inside and how he actually responds to me are in direct opposition to one another. "You don't have to worry about me."

I stare at him in disbelief. "How can you say that after everything we've been through?"

"Because I want what's best for you and your sister."

"Even if you're not with us?"

A frown weighs down the edges of my mouth as understanding settles in. I adore and resent him for trying to play the hero. I don't need him to be selfless. I just need him to be with us.

Jutting out my chin, I challenge, "Do you even know what I want, though?"

"You want a family, right? A real home? Like the one you had before your mom passed away?"

My eyes widen because he's... right. Even now, my heart aches for everything Cruz just described to me.

How did he know?

"Give Nascha a chance, okay?"

His request catches me somewhat off guard. I'm still conflicted over my great aunt's offer to adopt Persie and me. "I don't know if I can trust her."

"She might surprise you. In a good way."

"What about school?"

"You can miss a few days."

Softly, I insist, "But there's no way I'm leaving you behind. No matter where I go, you need to be part of my life."

Cruz carries on as though he didn't hear me, "She's your family, though. I think... you'll regret it if you walk away without, at least, trying to get to know Nascha better."

I guess he has a valid point. But I'm not ready to give in. "Just because we're related doesn't mean she's family. What if Nascha ends up being a disappointment... like my dad?"

"Then we'll figure something else out."

My expression crumples slightly. "Like what?"

The distress in my voice seems to grab his attention. His face tilts toward me. Finally. Our gazes linger, but he stays silent.

I cough. "Cruz?"

"Hmm?"

I brought you into this world.

Ron's final words to us echo in my mind like an omen.

I can take you out of it.

Maybe he wasn't blowing off steam. Cruz's life might be in real danger if he goes back home.