Page 63 of Endo
I hesitate for a moment before typing back.
Lena: Sure.
Revel: Alright, I’ll be there in 10.
I quickly rummage through my closet, pulling out the bikini I bought on impulse last summer. It’s white and simple, but it fits perfectly, highlighting the tattoos on my ribs and hip—the delicate waves and a small sea turtle, both nods to the ocean I love. My hair falls loose around my shoulders, soft and slightly wavy from being air-dried. I slip on a pair of cut-off jean shorts and a thrifted tie-dye T-shirt that’s faded just enough to look effortlessly casual. It’s nothing fancy, but it feels like me—comfortable, and uncomplicated.
As I catch my reflection in the mirror, I take a deep breath. Knowing Reign will be there twists something tight in my chest. I’ve been avoiding him since that night—since we crossed a line I still don’t know how to navigate. He’s been texting, his messages a mix of casual and concerned, but I haven’t replied to a single one. Cowardly? Probably. But what do I even say? That I’m still trying to figure out if we’re a mistake I can’t stop making? That the thought of facing him again makes my stomach churn, not with regret, but with something more dangerous—want?
I shake the thought off and grab my bag, stuffing it with sunscreen and a towel. Tonight, I’ll have to face him. There’s no avoiding it. But I’ll deal with it the way I deal with everything—head-on, with just enough deflection to keep myself from falling apart.
Just as I’m slipping into my sandals, there’s a knock at the door.
Revel’s leaning against the doorframe when I open it, looking effortlessly relaxed in a black tee and jeans. His dark hair’s a mess, sticking up in that casual way that somehow still works for him.
“You took long enough. Did you need a formal invitation or what?” he teases, giving me a once-over.
I roll my eyes, grabbing my bag. “Sorry, didn’t realize this was a red-carpet event. You, on the other hand, look like you rolled out of bed and tripped into the first shirt you found.”
He smirks, unfazed. “And still managed to look better than you.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” I shoot back as we head to his car.
As we’re walking, he glances over at me. “You know, I’ve been hanging with the Demons a lot lately.”
“Oh?” I reply, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah. They’re actually decent guys—surprisingly not the raging assholes I pegged them for.”
I snort. “You’re only saying that because they let you sit at the cool kids’ table now.”
He feigns offense, clutching his chest. “I’ll have you know, they value my company. Talon even laughed at one of my jokes yesterday.”
“Yeah, probably because he didn’t know it was a joke,” I quip, throwing him a smirk.
“Wow,” Revel says, shaking his head with mock disappointment. “This is the thanks I get for picking you up? You’re lucky I’m such a saint.”
I laugh, tossing my bag in the back seat of his car. “Saint? You’re about as saintly as a raccoon raiding the trash at midnight.”
“Fair comparison,” he says with a shrug, sliding into the driver’s seat. “But don’t think I’m letting you off easy tonight. I’ve got a whole arsenal of comebacks waiting.”
I smirk as I climb in, buckling my seatbelt. “Save them, Revel. You’re gonna need every single one when Cece shuts you down. Again.”
He snorts, starting the car. “You act like I don’t enjoy the chase. One day, though...”
“Yeah, yeah,” I cut in, rolling my eyes. “Dream big, buddy.”
For all the chaos in my head lately, it feels good to have a moment like this—light, playful, and just us.
23
REIGN
Under The Influence - Chris Brown
Parties aregreat until you’re in one you can’t fucking escape.
The salty breeze off the ocean mixes with the smoke from the grill, and somewhere behind me, someone’s already shouting over the music pouring from the speakers. The whole place is alive—laughter, yelling, the kind of chaotic energy that makes you think nothing else exists outside of this moment. The sun’s dipping low, streaking the sky in orange and pink, and I take another swig of my beer, letting the burn settle something restless inside me.
