I done, Jonah? Have I completely betrayed him? I do love him. I do! My heart still beats for him,” I plead, hand pressed to my heart, begging him to understand, knowing I don’t.
“What happened tonight doesn’t change the way you feel for him, beautiful. Before-” He swallows. “-you chose him. I remember, and so do you. But, beautiful, he’s gone.” He brushes away my tears with a sad smile. “Do you really think he would want you to be alone, drowning in sorrow, mourning him for the rest of your life? Or do you think he would be happy hearing your laughter again? From Nat’s reaction earlier, I can tell it’s not something that happens a lot these days. Big change from the girl full of joy that I danced with at the club.”
“He wanted me happy-” I whisper. “-but…”
“No buts, beautiful. He wanted you happy, that’s it. Do you honestly think he would put restrictions on your happiness? No. Don’t let guilt steal away all of your smiles, Eliana. You need to heal, and locking yourself away isn’t the way to do that. You need to let people in. It doesn’t have to be me, but I am here if you need me. You aren’t alone in this. I kinda like ya, beautiful.” He smiles softly.
“Jonah?” He’s right. Joshua would hate that I was alone. I desperately need someone in my corner again.
“Yeah?” He gives my hand a gentle squeeze.
“Truth or Dare?”
“Truth.” He shoots me an amused smirk.
“Do you really want me to stay? Still?” I watch him closely.
“Absolutely.” He places his hand on my cheek, and I lean into him, needing the physical reassurance. “Stay, beautiful. Let me help you find your smiles again.” He lays back lifting an arm, and I cuddle in, releasing a deep breath.
“Get some rest, beautiful. You aren’t alone anymore. You’re going to be okay.”
And I do… I still miss Joshua, and my heart still aches for a love that will never again be mine, but I close my eyes, taking this moment for what it is. A reprieve from the anguish, because here with Jonah, I can pretend to be whole.
Here with him, I’m not broken. Here with him, I’m not alone. Here with Jonah, I’m a normal girl, and that girl is free.
Chapter Two
Costin
Creeping towards Eliana’s door, I pause, listening to see if I was followed. I’m getting her out of here. I open her door, shutting it behind me, and creep over to her bed silently.
“I’m here, Princess. It’s time for-“
“Oh, holy hell, my prince is finally here! But he’s far too late, and look at me without a fucking gown!” Setting the copy of Sleeping Beauty she was reading to the side, Rachel cackles from the center of Eliana’s bed.
“What the fuck, Rachel? Where is she?” I rush to the bathroom, nothing. Closet, empty. “Rachel! Where is she?”
“Gone, shit for brains.” She tosses up an M&M from Eliana’s nightstand and catches it in her mouth, grinning. “Took me all afternoon to learn how to do that.”
Taking a deep breath, I attempt to calm down as I step in close. “Where, Rachel?”
“That I don’t know. Seems Aurora finally woke up and rescued herself. Didn’t need you all after all… just a forgetful godmother. Anyways, I’m out. Just wanted to see how long it took you all to figure it out.” She looks down at her phone, shaking her head. “Sixteen hours just in case you’re wondering.”
“Can you just fucking answer me?” I bellow as the door flings open, Jaxx and Abel storming in.
“Why are you two yelling in here? You’re going to upset her.” Jaxx moves over to Eliana’s bed. “Where is she?”
“I’m bored with this. Let’s skip to the next part.” Rachel flops down on the lounge. “Now that she’s realized she doesn’t need you all to save her, what will you do?”
“Rachel, I swear if you don’t start talking, I will-“
“What, Jaxxson, torture me? Fuck me? Kill me? You can try.” She stands, grinning darkly. “But we both know I’ve lasted this long for a reason. I let her go. I watched that girl lay in that bed for a month, waiting on you all to do the right thing. Thought you had a fucking plan. Pathetic shits left her. One evening, your party ran late, and so did I. Guess those couple of hours gave her just enough clarity. And then, just like her daddy, she waited for the perfect moment to make her move.” Rachel