The Boy and His Ribbon (The Ribbon Duet, #1)(130)

Once again, I let it ring as I exited the bathroom attached to the bedroom where I’d lost my virginity and padded barefoot to David.

He pulled me into his arms, kissing my temple and hugging me close. “I’m sorry I wasn’t who you wanted.”

I kissed his chest before letting him go to put his t-shirt on. “You were the best person for me to lose it with. I’m glad it was you.”

He smiled. “Well, I’m honoured.” Buckling his jeans, he stood awkwardly by the door as I rearranged my dress. “Do you want to…eh, stay in touch?”

My heart fluttered at the way he looked at me. At the fascinated puppy dog crush that no doubt made him feel all protective and smitten with a girl who begged for sex in such a sad, pathetic way.

I smiled, picking my beaded bag off the floor and stuffing the two unused condoms inside. “It’s fine. I knew what I was doing. You don’t have to worry about me.”

My phone danced around again, chirping its annoying little chirp.

“Are you going to get that?” he asked.

“Why? It only hurts.”

He held open the door for me to exit the room. “Want me to talk to him?”

I laughed. “That would be interesting.”

The chirping grew louder, and I sighed. “He’ll be concerned about me.”

“In that case, you better answer it.” Tucking a curl behind my ear, he murmured, “Come find me after. We’ll have a drink. Get to know each other a little.”

The fact that he liked me enough to want to hang out even though he’d already gotten me into bed made me warmer than I’d been in a while. “Sure.”

With a handsome smile, David left me alone as I sucked in a steadying breath and smoothed down my dress one last time.

I pressed accept on the call. “Hello?”

My voice was empty and flat like it was most of the time these days, and I didn’t have time to fix on the Della false brightness and strength that Ren was used to hearing from me.

“Della?” His tormented tone slipped into my ear making tears stab my eyes. “Where are you?”

“I’m safe, don’t worry.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

I let silence gather between us as I stared at floral wallpaper in some stranger’s house.

“Della?” His voice dropped to a whisper. “Tell me where you are. What happened?”

Now, there were two scenarios I could’ve done and knowing the outcome of the one I chose, I should’ve gone for the other one.

I should’ve told him I was fine, and that I’d be home soon. I should’ve kept my secrets just a little longer, hidden my heartbreak for just a little more, but with my insides bruised from another man and that same man actually wanting to spend time with me, I was done playing this part.

I was through pretending and wanted to ensure the canyon that’d formed between us could never be repaired.

And I had the perfect way to do it.

“Della, answer me,” Ren commanded.

So I answered him.

I told him things I should’ve taken to my grave because who wants to hear about another being so vindictive and lost they’d practically do anything for a sliver of happiness.

“I’m at a house party a few blocks from home. I Ubered here in my little black dress with no underwear, and I selected a boy from the dwindling crowd.”

His harsh inhale sounded like thunder in my ear.

“Do you want me to continue?” I breathed, rubbing at the fiery ruin of my heart.

“Yes,” he strangled. “Finish. Tell me.”

“This boy kissed me and took me upstairs, and I told him I was a virgin who was tired of being a child. I asked him to relieve me of it.” Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I confessed, knowing full well I broke his heart as well as mine. “And…he did.”

Ren hung up.





CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE





REN



2018




IT WASN’T HARD to find her.

Whatever Facebook group she joined, I joined too.

Whatever event she tagged as interested in attending, I clicked the button too.

Thanks to social media, I knew more about Della’s schedule than she thought, and tonight was no different.

I killed my bike outside the house.

Music still filtered from cracked windows with a few shadows of people dancing in the living room. I wanted to stab out my heart that this was the place where Della had come for comfort instead of confiding in me.

I’d failed her so fucking much.

When she’d answered on the third call, I’d been relieved but furious. I’d wanted to tear into her to delete some of the panic in my blood, but that was before I heard her voice. Before the hollow defeat replaced her normally beautiful tone, hinting that tonight…something had happened.

I’d wanted to yell at her for leaving me. I’d wanted to demand her excuses why I’d come home to an empty apartment after meeting a girl I’d met online for the second time.

I’d come home early.

I should never have gone.

It was a mistake.

Every meeting was a mistake.

I’d had a drink with her and let her down gently, my only thought of returning to Della and laughing with her at something stupid on TV or debating the pros and cons about a new camping device.