His to Love (His #3)

Chapter 39

The next day I come home, carrying the bags of clothes I took with me. I stayed the night at Sam's after I made myself something to eat at home. I had to take a cab there since I was drinking yesterday. I also wasn't suitable to go to the work today because wrI could barely keep my eyes open after crying half of the night, so I called in sick. 

I find Rory laying on the couch in the living room with a book and a phone in her hands. I look at her a little puzzled. "Oh. Hey. You're here," I say, not expecting her. 

Rory settles back on the couch and makes herself a bit more comfortable, cocking her head to the side. "Hello. Where else should I be?" she asks me chirpily. 

I shrug, acting nonchalant, and laughing dryly. "I thought you were still at Braden's ..." I say carefully, gauging her reaction. 

She purses her lips. "I actually came back here yesterday afternoon." 

"Oh." I clear my throat. "Is everything okay?" I ask her warily.

Rory turns confused, her eyebrows furrowing. "Why wouldn't it be?"

My face flushes. "No, it's just ... I thought that Braden would keep you at his suite at least a few days more, being an overprotective ass sometimes and all that." I wave my hand around.

Rory laughs whole-heartedly. "So where did you spend the night?" Rory asks casually. "And the day, assuming you didn't go to work ..." 

My cheeks heat up a bit. "I was at Aaron's," I say quietly, avoiding Rory's eyes. The lie comes out easily. I don't know why I lie to Rory. Maybe because it's easier and it doesn't raise other questions. Or maybe because I want to pretend everything is okay. I also don't want to bother her with my problems. She and Braden are doing so well right now and I'm really happy for them.

I go sit down by her. "Hmmm," Rory hums in thought. "Is there any progress between you two?" She rests her chin on her hand, watching me with curiosity. 

I lower my eyes, my hands playing together. "Not really," I mumble. 

Rory bites her lip and puts her hands on mine. "I'm sorry to hear that because I can clearly see how much he means to you. If you really care about him, if you really like him, fight for it. But I guess only time will tell if you two are meant to be." 

I purse my lips, looking her in the eyes. "Yeah. I guess ..." I trail off unsurely. I don't even know what the fuck I want in my life anymore because my emotions are everywhere. God, I hope it's only PMS. 

"I ran into our neighbour today," Rory tells me, changing the subject. I see Rory is watching me closely.

I turn confused. "We have more than one neighbour. You should be more specific." I grin. I'm not really friends with any of my neighbours. I don't even see much of them, for most, I've only spoken a few words to.

"His name was Damien. He said I should say hi to you." Rory shrugs nonchalantly. 

Damien? Did she say his name was Damien? My whole world swirls before my eyes, my smile instantly disappearing from my face. "Damien?" I mumble, my voice choked. Oh, God. Oh, God, I'm going to be sick.

Please, this must be a joke. Or a misunderstanding. Or it might be a new neighbour by the name of Damien. 

Rory raises her eyebrows. "Uh ... yeah." I hear she's getting suspicious.

My hands become restless in my lap again, playing together. My heart is beating so hard in my chest, there's a ringing in my ears and I went completely numb. I don't know what I feel. Confusion tops all the feelings. And questions, one precisely loud. Why the hell did he choose to come back now?