Unveiled (Torn #6)(24)

Chapter 12


Lindsey


“I think we’re all growing up so fast. I can’t handle it! God!” Trista’s eyes welled with tears as she tried to fan herself to avoid crying. “Why the f*uk am I crying? I hate this shit.” She sniffed, wiping her tears away.

Emma even appeared to look glassy before reaching out for my hand. “Our Lindsey’s growing up, that’s what,” she said, grinning. “I’m so proud of you, babe.”

Why did I decide to tell them that I meant to take a semester off and planned to live with Dimitris?

“Jesus, you guys,” I exclaimed, smiling. And, yes, I was rather proud of myself for acting mature, but I wasn’t na?ve enough to think there wouldn’t be hurdles ahead. I had plans to reach out and talk to Claudine, and hopefully, I could give the woman a hefty dose of reality. Either way, she should know I wasn’t going anywhere.

Trista placed her hand above Emma’s, holding mine. “I think you should speak to Amber. It’s high time you two figured this out. It’d be such a waste not to take advantage of this positive effort you’ve been making, Linds. She was your best friend at one point, too. Don’t blame the girl if she couldn’t help falling for the wrong guy. We’ve all been there, done that, so be a little kind to her. She’s going through a tough time as it is.

Emma nodded, clearly agreeing with Trista. “You two owe it to each other. Besides, when the baby arrives, I want to have amazing group pictures with all of us girls. All three of you will be newly minted aunties, and I’m making all three of you Godmothers, if that’s even probable. But, please, talk to her. She needs you, too.”

“I’ll think about it.” As much as I wanted to dismiss the idea of going down memory lane with Amber, I knew she was hurting from rejection on both sides—from Brody and me. What’s more, since I gave Brody a chance to say his piece, I should do so with Amber, as well.

Emma stayed for another thirty minutes before deciding to leave, as did Trista, since the two had made plans for a double date at the movies with their other halves. Amber wasn’t at home when Emma came by, so I was left all by my lonesome. Christmas was the next day, and Carter had been released the night before. He was doing well, laughing and joking about his “accident.” Brody had mostly invited people around with the booze, of course, just to keep Carter in a lighter mood. As for Dimitris, we shared a kiss before he left, leaving a bittersweet taste against my lips.

It had been hard after he left. Though my body and presence were there amongst friends and family, my heart was with Dimitris, and most of my time was spent pondering what he was up to. Since it was the holiday season, everyone was cozying up with their loved ones, and I couldn’t help feeling miserably left out without him. I had fought so much to be there, but the unending feeling of loneliness brought out the question of whether I had made the right decision staying.

Sure, Carter might have been happy that I decided to stay, yet he didn’t seem to want me around much, nagging and persisting he take meds or always asking if he was hungry. Since our aunt and uncle weren’t there, I made it my mission to take care of him the way Aunt Alice did when we were sick.

The sun was setting and the house never felt so still, silent and cold. Never had I felt so alone in the world.

“I miss you,” I whispered into the air, wondering what Dimitris was up to. It was in the wee hours of the morning in Athens, but this darkness around me persisted, and I longed to hear his voice, even just for a fraction of a second. I needed him.

Strolling back into my bedroom, I headed straight towards my nightstand and pulled the charger off my phone before sitting crossed leg on the bed and dialing his digits.

It took four rings until he finally picked up.

“Hi,” I said, smiling, “Did I wake you? I know it’s early in the morning your time, but I miss you really bad.”

“Hey, I was just wrapping things up in the library. Everything okay?” he gently asked. I heard paper shuffling in the background then the loud thud of his laptop being shut.

Closing my eyes, I listened to him move about as I pictured him in the library/office of his house in Athens that had a breathtaking view of the Acropolis.

“Are you still mad at me, Dimi?” The question wasn’t premeditated; I wanted to know where he stood with me mentally and emotionally.

He sighed before I heard the sound of his leather seat, as if he had just slumped against it. “I was. I was angry with you when you took off in that devil of a car of yours because all I could see was you getting into an accident. But, if you’re wondering if I’m mad at you now, the answer is no. I love you too much to be angry with you for long.”

Hearing him say that he wasn’t cross with me any longer made me somehow even more depressed. It made me realize what a good man he was and that I had almost blown it again.

“I wished you has stayed a little while. I would’ve enjoyed making out with you even for an hour or two. I hate feeling this way, as if I can’t breathe, as if I can’t function from missing you so badly. I’m scared you won’t wait for me to get it together. The very thought frightens me.”

He made a soft chuckle. “Ah, Lindsey, you really love me, hmmm?” he asked with a smile in his voice. “Every time these doubts surface, always remember how often you left and how often I sought you out. This distance between us, though it’s rather unfortunate, can be used as a tool to tie loose ends, and I’m sure you have a few of those.”