Fighting Silence (On the Ropes #1)(48)

“She’s not stupid. She won’t fall for his bullshit.” I stated matter-of-factly, but in my head, each sentence was punctuated with a giant blinking question mark.

“Why would she go out with that douchebag?” Quarry asked, but I couldn’t focus.

“You have to fix this.” Flint stilled. “Start using the f*cking door.”

I sighed and grabbed the back of my neck. “It’s not that easy.”

“Oh yeah?” He turned and stormed out of the front door only to immediately walk back in. He made a show of turning the knob and swinging the door. “I’m pretty sure it is that easy, brainiac.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I shot back.

“Oh, I don’t? Maybe you’ve forgotten that these floors work both ways. I’ve heard all your fantasy bullshit arguments with her.” He gave me a pointed look.

“Truth,” Quarry chimed in.

“Then you should understand that I can’t give her what she wants!”

“Pull your f*cking head out of your ass and stop being such a *. You living in this ridiculous-ass fantasy world is f*cking up reality for the rest of us. Including her.” He strode to his room, slamming the door behind him.

“Christ.” I dropped my head into my hands, feeling more lost than ever.

“For the record, are you not going to yell at him for cussing?”

“Get out of here, Q.”

“I’m just saying that—”

“Go!” I barked, and he wandered down the hall, joining Flint in their bedroom.

“What the f*ck am I doing?” I whispered to myself, but Eliza wasn’t there to answer for me. She’d know exactly how to fix this.



I sat on those stairs for well over three hours. I repeatedly flipped through the pages of her sketchbook, tracing my fingers over the lines just because I knew her hands were the ones that had drawn them. It mildly calmed the chaos in my mind.

Finally, around ten, she came strolling up the sidewalk—surprisingly alone.

“Hey,” I said, taking in her sexy, red heels and hating Bailey that much more because he’d gotten to enjoy them.

“Hey,” she replied, nervously twirling her ponytail.

I sighed. “Really, Doodle? Derrick?” I shook my head in disappointment—at myself.

“He’s not a bad guy, Till. He’s actually pretty nice.”

“Sure.” I nodded. “But why him? Is this to get back at me? Some sort of punishment for not giving you what you want? Because you should know, it’s working. Really f*cking well.” I laughed without humor.

“I’m not trying to punish you.” She stopped and tilted her head from side to side. “Well, maybe not completely.” She smiled, and it hurt so damn much.

That smile was an oasis for me. I knew it would vanish, but it would tease and taunt me while it lasted.

“Right.” I took a deep breath. “I don’t have the right to ask this, but I’m doing it anyway. Please don’t go on a second date with him. Doodle, that guy is no good. This is not coming from a jealous place. I just don’t want to see someone as amazing as you getting mixed up with a scumbag like that.”

She gave me a knowing look. “Not a jealous place?”

“Well, maybe not completely.” I chuckled, and tears sprung to her eyes. “Come here.”

She didn’t move, so I closed the distance between us and folded her into my arms.

“I’m so sorry I f*cked this up. Just tell me how to fix it.”

She sniffled and backed away. “Open your eyes, Till. I’m sick of letting the Earth spin under my feet while you circle around me. We belong together, but if that isn’t going to happen, I have to start moving on.” She paused to wipe away the tears that were steadily dripping off her chin. “I don’t want to live in a world where the windows are locked and the Page boys don’t eat me out of house and home. So I am begging you, Till. Wake. Up.”

I didn’t have a chance to find the words to reply before she walked away.

I made my way back to my apartment and crashed into bed. I was exhausted, but I never found sleep that night. I also couldn’t figure out how to wake up either.



“Whoa! Take it easy. I just bought that bag.” Slate laughed as I pounded my aggression out. “I’m closing up in five. Go get changed and get out of here.”

I stopped and shook out my arms. “You mind if I stay for a little while longer? I’ll lock up when I leave.”

“What’s going on with you? You spent the better part of the night terrorizing my equipment, then you left with the boys, and less than an hour later, you’re back alone. Don’t get me wrong. I like the dedication. But there has to be more to this.”

I let out a huff and stared down at the ground. “Derrick’s car was parked at my apartment when I got home. I just can’t go back there right now.”

“What’s he doing at your place?”

“He’s not. He’s at Eliza’s.”

Slate’s eyebrows shot up as understanding crossed his face. “Did you two break up?”

“Who? Me and Eliza? We were never together.”

Slate barked out a laugh. “Sorry, buddy, but I think you were the only one who believed that.”