Chapter 25: Not the Exclusive Relationship

Mila’s POV

“Girl, you need to spill right now. What is going on? You were in the news because of a shooting Mimi!” Isabella sets in on me the second I climb into her car.

Guilt hits me like a brick at how concerned she’s been while I’ve been worrying about a bunch of other stuff I want to keep away from her. She’s too pure and happy to see the darker parts of the world, but now I don’t have a choice but to tell her.

“It’s a long story.” I say, hoping to brush everything off until tomorrow when it doesn’t feel so raw.

I should know better than to expect something like that from her. It’s a shock. I’ve been able to keep any of this a secret for this long.

“Mila enough. I know there is something you haven’t been telling me. You think I never noticed the marks or the scars? I said nothing because I didn’t want to push you, but now. You need my help and I will, but please don’t lie to me. I’m your best friend.”

She’s right. It’s time I told her everything.

“My stepmom has been hurting me for years now. After my father died, he left money for me to use for college and anything else I would need while I got my education. Everything else was left to her, but she used it up in less than a year. She can’t access any of the money my father gave me, so she’s been trying to find a loophole ever since. With my father only giving me enough for tuition, which is given at the beginning of every semester by his lawyer, I have nothing. That’s why I work more than one job, so I can pay for supplies and clothes. My stepmom knows I have money, but I’ve been keeping it hidden. Until she found it. Then she went searching for the rest.”

Isabella sighs. “Why didn’t you ever say anything? You always made a fuss when I tried to pay for things.”

“Because you’re my friend and that shouldn’t be because of what you do for me and it’s not.” I assure her. “My stepmom would have noticed all the nice things and it would have made things worse, anyway.”

“So all those marks on you…are from her.” It isn’t a question.

“Yes.”

“And the one on your neck?”

“That’s from today. She tried to threaten my life, but I had help to get away.” I admit, even though I rather not talk about Julian.

“Julian Keller?” She asks.

My head snaps in her direction. “How did you- “

She laughs. “You might be totally oblivious to things, but I’m not, and that man has his eyes on you more than once.”

“You only saw him once.” I point out, but she shakes her head.

“Actually, I went to the club again with a friend of my dad’s.” I give her a questioning look, and she waves a hand at me. “Don’t even ask. Anyway, I saw him watching you and the look he got when some other hottie showed you attention. He looked murderous, so yeah, it’s easy to guess he’s involved.”

Although I doubt he looked murderous, I could feel him watching me that night.

“Anyway, he helped me, but in return wanted to lock me away somewhere safe and I don’t want that.” I don’t want to get into the whole Julian situation just yet.

“So you called me. How sweet. I’m glad to know I’m your backup choice.” She sighs playfully and I nudge her, making her laugh. “Seriously, though…are you in trouble? Do I need to build a wall around my castle, princess Mila?”

Her calling me princess makes my chest ache for a second. I hate that Julian calls me that, but he is the only one who does and somehow, in this short time, I’ve associated the name with him.

“Mila? What happened?” Isabella asks, glancing between me and the road.

I shake my head. “Nothing. But of course you aren’t my second choice! There is just no one I rather run and hide with than you.”

She gives me a skeptical look until I smile widely at her and lean over to kiss her cheek. I’m pushed away with a laugh that I quickly return.

“Stop sucking up to me. You know you’re not my type.” She teases.

I sigh. “So I’ve learned, but I still think you’re too quick to shut the idea down.”

We’ve been teasing for a long time about how we would make the worst couple ever and yet soundly try it with anyone else. The one problem is…we are very into the worst race of human kind…men. They are idiots and dumb as shit sometimes, but we like them none the less. Figures.

“Shut up. Oh, speaking of, I have some news of my own.” She wiggles her eyebrows seductively, and I’m suddenly feeling a lot better.

This is what I needed. Someone without drama and who knows how to make me feel normal. Maybe I will make a move on her after all.

“Tell me.” I adjust my seat belt so I can turn to face her.

“Well, I met someone at the club that night. I was not spying on you. He’s so hot, and I swooned when he asked me out. His accent.” She makes the move of melting and I laugh.

“What’s his name?” I ask.

She smiles. “Steven. He was so sweet and we’ve gone out already and oh my god I’m in love. He took me to this adorable Italian place run by a very old and wise woman from Italy who made the most amazing spaghetti. Then he took me to the pier, and we walked along the water and stopped at one of the small shops and got ice cream. It was amazing.”

I smile at the smile on my friend’s face. Even though she’s dated a few guys, they all turned out to be pricks who took her for granted and only saw the dollar signs around her head. Still, she’s never spoken like this about anyone she’s been with.

“I’m glad you had a good time. You deserve it. You guys should go to the fair next time.”

She gives me a confused look. “Yeah, so remember the guy who spoke to me at the bar?”

She nods and I tell her all about my date with Roman. When I’m done, we’re pulling up in front of her house and she’s grilling me about everything. Unsurprising to me, she gathers all the ice cream and junk food available and we stay up late talking. It feels so good to just let myself truly relax for the first time. No fears of my stepmom hanging over my shoulder.

My future is a little uncertain right now, but I know Isabella will have my back in every way. She’s already threatened me with bodily harm if I try to leave. I told her I would stay just until I found a place, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Then she showed me to my new room, and we climbed under the covers to watch a movie. It didn’t take long for us both to fall asleep. What wakes me up the next morning is the sound of vibrating coming from my bag. I’m half asleep when I throw the covers off me and stumble over the desk. I left my bag on and pull the phone out. I don’t check the caller ID before answering.

“Hello?” I grumble.

“Well fuck, is that what your voice sounds in the morning? I’m screwed.” A manly voice says on the other end of the line.

“Roman?”

“That’s right, beautiful. I’m calling to be your escort. You have class today, right?”

How does he know that? Julian I’m assuming…

“That’s okay. I can figure out my own ride.” I tell him.

“Nonsense. My girl deserves to be sent to school in style. Send me the address where you’re staying and I’ll pick you up.”

I want to protest more, but he ends the call before I can.

“Who in the world is calling at this time of the morning?” Isabella grumbles.

“My ride apparently.”

“What?” She sounds annoyed at her inability to understand what’s going on in her sluggish state.

“Roman is coming to pick me off so he can escort me to school.” I explain as I drop back down on the bed.

“Really? Wow! Well, he doesn’t waste any time, does he?”

I look up at the ceiling and consider that. “Don’t you think him calling me his girl and all this other stuff isn’t too much after one date? I mean, we haven’t spoken about us being exclusive and yet he assumes we are and even Julian thinks we are. He encouraged Roman to help me. It just seems a little too intense, too fast.”

Isabella considers my words. “I can’t say for sure, since all the guys I’ve dated have been emotionally stunted and your only boyfriend was a lying scumbag. So maybe it is normal.”

Not exactly the advice I was hoping for.