Page 49

Aurora squeezes my hand gently, and we change quickly, going into the bathroom to remove our makeup.

When we’re both in bed, she drags in a lungful of air. “I need to tell you something.”

Her lower lip trembles, her expression lost as if she’s stuck in a memory. “My first time was awful.”

“Yes, it’s supposed to be.”

“I’m not talking about the pain.”

“Oh.” My mouth parts, and silence descends over us.

“He thought I had been with someone else.”

I roll my eyes. “How can men be so stupid?”

“He made me so mad that I said I had.”

“Why would you do that?”

She picks invisible lint from the duvet. “I wanted to hate him, so I didn’t think . . .”

“Then how can you stand him now?” I whisper, confusion lacing every word.

“I never believed we would get past that, but we did.”

“I wouldn’t have,” I say with conviction, but it rings more of doubt.

She places her hand on mine. “What I want to say is, don’t repeat my mistake. Cato will be your first.”

“Never.” It’s exhausting to keep lying to myself, but I don’t have another defense mechanism.

“Stop lying to yourself,” Aurora says, as if reading my mind.

“You mean, I should just give in and enjoy it?”

“Yes.”

I cross my hands over my chest, brow furrowing. “If he touches me, he better be prepared to lose his dick.” I’m such a badass until he touches me.

“You can lie to yourself, but a part of you . . .”

“I’m tired.” I turn on my side, with my back to her, sighing into my pillow. “I just want to be free, Aurora. I thought you wanted the same.”

“I will always be there for you.”

“So, you’ll help me?” I ask over my shoulder.

“Yes.”

I find her hand on top of the duvet and give it a squeeze. “Thank you, bestie. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

I fall into a sleep that’s filled with him.

The next morning, I wake up with a slight headache and remnants of a dream involving gray eyes. Not even in sleep can I escape him or have a break from the madness he represents. Infuriating man, stupid connection.

Aurora’s lips twitch in a mischievous grin. “So, you and Cato?”

“Last night never happened.”