The deepest part of my soul

Chapter 22

I was sitting in a cafe with Shannon, and we were writing our essay. Or rather she wrote hers while chewing her lips, and I got lost in my thoughts a long time ago and put my pen down.

I spent the last few days in a strange, near blissful state as if I was floating on a drunken cloud. I met with Rhys a few times but he didn't try to kiss me. Instead, he looked at me like I might run away at any moment. And I can't even blame him for that. I gave him plenty of reason to worry, but it still annoyed me. What could I do? I should probably write my essay.

But who wants to do something like that when she can also think about her boyfriend? My boyfriend. My lips curved into a smile. It still felt weird. And I wasn't even sure it was true. Rhys had been a little distant since that day like he wanted to backpedal but didn't know how to do it without hurting me. This overshadowed my joy. But there was another, bigger and darker shadow that I tried to ignore.

Seth's funeral will be tomorrow. Not only do I have to put on black clothes, but also fake grief. However, I haven't acted in so long that I wasn't sure if I would do it well. But I have to do it.

A small sigh escaped my lips involuntarily, and I was about to return to my studies when Liam plopped down next to me. The memories of that night came back to me. It made me terrified, of how close I was to losing myself completely. I shuddered.

„Liam!" Shannon's voice was unusually frosty, but he just grinned.

„My darling." He glanced at her, then at me. „Or... my darlings."

„I thought I had expressed enough how much I don't care about you." I growled at him.

„What?" Shannon looked at him in surprise.

„Did you think just because you didn't give me her number, I couldn't talk to her?" He looked at her smugly and Shannon turned red with anger.

„I told you not to do it!" She said it louder than necessary, annoyed.

„And I said okay." He nodded. „But I never promised anything."

„Why did you do it?" This time she seemed more hurt than angry.

„Because I wanted to apologize properly." There was no trace of a smile on his face.

„Shaelynn?" The voice was surprised, but full of joy and I recognized it immediately. Rhys came up to us and the way he looked at me I almost believed he had no intention of backing down. The golden spots I liked so much danced merrily as he sat beside me. „I didn't expect you to be here. Hi Shannon!" He gave her a quick smile and then turned back to me.

„I didn't expect you either." I murmured quietly. „What are you doing here?"

„Come on, Shaelynn!" Shannon scolded me. „Is this how you greet your boyfriend?"

She still found pleasure in it. Rhys's lips curled into a satisfied yet smug smile at her words, and Liam's face radiated complete astonishment. So it was almost worth it, but only almost.

„Is he your boyfriend?" His eyes widened.

„Yes! Let me introduce you to Detective Rhys Karston." She gestured towards him. „And he is Liam Blackwell, but feel free to call him an idiot." The aforementioned growled in displeasure.

„I think I just use Liam." He held out his hand, but there was a smile at the corner of his mouth. Liam accepted the handshake, shook it, and then began measuring the other.

„And I think I'd better leave Shaelynn alone." He looked him in the eye.

„I think so too." Rhys nodded, seemingly amused, but there was something darker, and ominous in his eyes.