Chapter 85 Problems

Chapter 85 Problems

"That's not the point."

"Then what is?"

He looked at me, really looked, and I saw the war raging behind his eyes. The part of him that wanted to lock me in the annex and throw away the key. The part of him that knew he couldn't.

"The point is," he said finally, "I'm tired of pretending. I'm tired of watching you with other people. I'm tired of not being able to hold your hand in public."

"I know."

"I hate this."

"I know, I hate it too." 

He crossed the room and pulled me into his arms, burying his face in my hair. I held him tight, feeling his heartbeat against my chest, his breath warm on my neck.

"Fine," he said, his voice muffled. "Fine. But no holding hands for too long..." 

"Romeo..." 

"I'm serious..." 

"It's just for show. I promise."

He pulled back, his eyes scanning my face. "You promise?"

"I promise."

He kissed me, hard, desperate, a claim staked in front of Kai, who looked away.

"Okay," Romeo said. "Okay. Let's do this."

\-————————-

The next day, I found Ruby in the courtyard.

She was sitting on a bench, her back to me, her phone in her hand. But she wasn't alone. A guy was beside her, tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair and a smile that made my skin crawl.

Damien.

He was leaning toward her, his arm draped across the back of the bench, his body angled toward hers. Ruby was laughing at something he'd said, her head tilted, her eyes bright.

My heart stopped.

"Ruby," I said, walking toward them.

She looked up. Her smile faded. "Calliope."

"Can I talk to you alone?" 

"I'm kind of busy."

"It's important."

Damien stood up, his smile never wavering. "I should go anyway." He touched Ruby's shoulder, a brief, familiar touch and walked away, disappearing around the corner.

I sat down on the bench, my hands shaking. "What was that?"

"What was what?"

"Damien. Why was he sitting with you?"

Ruby's eyes narrowed. "Because he asked me out. And I said yes."

"Ruby..." 

"Don't." She held up her hand. "I know what you're going to say. He looks dangerous. He's bad news." She crossed her arms. "But you know what? I don't care."

"Ruby, you don't understand..." 

"You're right. I don't understand. I don't understand why you keep going back to Romeo even though he broke your heart and humiliated you in front of the entire school by being with other girls. I don't understand why you won't tell me what's actually going on. I don't understand why you expect me to be okay with all of it."

"Ruby..." 

"You're my best friend, Calliope. Or at least, you used to be." Her voice cracked. "But lately, I feel like I don't know you at all. You disappear. You lie. You keep secrets. And then you show up and expect me to drop everything for you."

"That's not..." 

"It is. That's exactly what it is." She stood up. "Damien and I are going out tonight. He's super sweet too." She looked at me, and her eyes were wet. "So yeah. I'm going on a date with him. And I don't need your permission."

"Ruby, please..." 

"No, Calliope. You don't get to do this. You don't get to keep me on a shelf and take me down when it's convenient for you." She grabbed her bag. "I'm leaving. Don't follow me."

She walked away.

I sat on the bench, alone, and watched her go.

\---

The afternoon stretched on forever.

I went through the motions, classes, lunch, rehearsal, but my mind was elsewhere. Ruby's words echoed in my head, sharp and relentless.

You don't get to keep me on a shelf.

You don't get to disappear and come back with excuses.

He doesn't lie to me.

I wanted to tell her. God, I wanted to tell her. But every time I opened my mouth, the words lodged in my throat.

Romeo is a werewolf. His uncle is trying to kill him. Damien and Marcus are werewolves working for his uncle. Damien is talking to you because he's trying to get to me. They hurt a freshman because he wouldn't spy on Romeo.

It sounded insane. Even in my own head, it sounded insane.

Ruby wouldn't believe me. She'd think I was crazy. And then I'd lose her for real.

\---

After school, Kai was waiting by the car.

He was leaning against the door, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. He looked different today, sharper, somehow, more alert. Like he was preparing for something.

"How was school?" he asked.

"Awful."

"What happened?"

I told him about Ruby. About Damien. About the date.

Kai's jaw tightened. "We need to stop her."

"How? She won't listen to me. She won't even look at me."

"Then I'll talk to her."

"And say what? 'Don't go out with that guy because he's a werewolf?' She'll think we're both insane."

Kai was quiet for a moment. Then: "Maybe we don't tell her the truth. Maybe we just... warn her. Enough to keep her away from him. Tell her he’s dangerous.” 

"Do you really think that would work?"

Kai looked at me, at the exhaustion in my face, the desperation in my eyes.

"No," he said. "But we have to try something at least.” 

\---

Ruby wasn't at her locker.

I checked the cafeteria, the library, the courtyard. Nothing. Her phone went straight to voicemail.

Kai waited by the car, his eyes scanning the parking lot. "Maybe she already left."

"Maybe."

But I had a bad feeling. The kind of feeling that had been growing in my chest since Tyler's hospital room and since those two showed up at our school. 

The kind of feeling that said something terrible was about to happen.

"Calliope." Kai's voice was sharp. "Look."

I followed his gaze.

Damien was walking across the parking lot, his arm around Ruby's shoulders. She was laughing at something he'd said, her head tilted, her body pressed against his.

They were heading toward his car.

"Calliope…” 

"I see them."

I walked toward Ruby before I could stop myself.

"Ruby."

She turned. Her smile faded when she saw me. "Calliope. I told you…” 

"I know what you told me. But I need you to listen. Just for a minute."

"I don't want to…” 

"Please." My voice cracked. "Please, Ruby. I'm begging you."

Something in her expression shifted, softened, just a little. She looked at Damien. "Can you give us a minute?"

His smile didn't waver. "Of course." He kissed her cheek, a quick, possessive gesture, and walked toward his car.

Ruby crossed her arms. "You have one minute."

I took a breath. "Damien isn't who he says he is. He's dangerous, Ruby. He's connected to people who hurt others. People who…” 

"People who what? Hurt you?" Her eyes were hard. "What the fuck are you even talking about Calliope. Damien may look like a bad boy but I doubt he’s actually bad. Besides, he’s the hottest guy to ever approach me since I’ve started junior year and now you want to tell me he’s bad for me? What’s your problem really?"

"The problem is…” 

"The problem is you Calliope. I don’t know who you are anymore. You keep pushing me away. You keep lying to me. And then you expect me to believe you when you tell me who to trust."

"Ruby…” 

"Your minute is up."

She turned and walked toward Damien's car.

I stood in the parking lot, alone, and watched her drive away.

\---