Shadows of My Past

Chapter 23

I paced back and forth in my living room, waiting on edge for the right moment to finally break the silence between me and Alec. He stared gravely at an empty corner, subtly moving his lips, but no sound escaping.

I flinched when he spoke.

"I know what Addison told you about me."

"What are you-"

"It was pretty accurate, except she switched roles in her story. I never cheated. That's where she induces people. I knew what she had been doing, and for weeks I prayed that maybe things would change. But they didn't. I confronted her, she kicked me out. London took me in; she stayed faithful to me. Addison's a bitch and in all honesty, sometimes I imagine it was her body that was found in that grave."

I stayed quiet, because what the hell was someone suppose to say to that?

"I know you didn't like London. And I know she wasn't the friendliest person to be around, but I loved her. You have to understand that."

And I did.

Because if this was Damian, no amount of time would be able to heal that kind of wound.

Where ever he is right now, whomever he's with, I hope to God he knows that.

It was then that Alec finally lost his grip, and he broke.

Never did I tell him about London's picture; I couldn't bring myself to leave him with that kind of grief.

For hours we sat; we stared at empty space, rationalized the irrational, debated over stupid shit that, in the end, somewhat mattered. We would laugh, but it didn't drown the sorrow. We would reminisce, but you could still feel remorse.

It was 9:30 when the rest of the household members appeared through the door. Alec and I were backed against the couch, uneasy stares exchanged.

I pulled Clay into the kitchen while Alec kept Ava occupied with shabby knock-knock jokes.

"I think this dude is trying to psych me out,"  I held up my phone screen and watched as he stared in horror at the vile picture message.

After playing his usual game  20 questions, Clay rose from where he was seated. "Why would he do this?"

I switched my gaze from him to the floor. "Because he knows he can."