NOVPUB
Chapter 93: _ Come Over
My fingers fumbled with the lock for what felt like an eternity before the door finally clicked open, revealing the cool and usual interior of my apartment. Liam practically bounced past me, Kylo following close behind.
Kylo’s gaze swept across the living room, taking in the slightly cluttered space – books piled precariously on the coffee table, a half-finished cup of tea abandoned on the end table, the throw rug askew from Liam’s enthusiastic play earlier. It was a snapshot of our life together. The usual days – how we’d all spend our days here and have fun.
Until Gamma Rhett came along and ruined everything. This life – it was a life that now felt like a faraway dream.
Kylo turned his gaze to me and I froze. What if he saw the mark?
I should really do something soon. Relief washed over me when he quickly averted his gaze. Maybe he hadn’t noticed the mark yet.
"Can I get you anything to drink?" I asked, desperate to distract myself and break the awkward silence.
Lupe let out a small sigh. "Water would be lovely, Isleen," she said, her voice hoarse with grief.
Her eyes were still red-rimmed and puffy - spoke of the ordeal she’d just been through. Regardless, it seemed she was even doing better than I was right now.
Kylo cleared his throat. "Actually, I’m fine. I just– I rushed over when I couldn’t get a hold of you, Isleen. And I wanted to come to offer my condolences to Lupe."
"Thank you, Kylo," Lupe smiled at him.
The awkwardness between us was so evident. Or maybe I was a little over the edge but I knew I was having a problem breathing right now.
I hurried to the kitchen as an escape. Reaching the counter, I leaned against it for support while letting out a shaky breath. This was far harder than I had imagined.
My hands shook slightly as I filled two glasses, the clinking against each other sounding deafeningly loud. I was being hella clumsy but really, I was going through a lot at the same time.
"Everything alright?"
Kylo’s voice came from behind, making me jump. He stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. My cheeks flushed with heat at the sight of him. If I hadn’t firmed my hold on the glasses, they might have fallen down or something.
What was he doing sneaking up on me like that?
"Y-yeah, I’m fine," I stammered, grabbing two glasses.
"You sure?" He continued to watch me, his concern evident in his eyes.
"Just– a long day," I offered weakly. "And then everything with Lupe..." My voice trailed off.
I couldn’t bring myself to finish the sentence, the reality of my deception was pressing down on me. Isleen, you’re a liar and a deceiver. My parents would be ashamed of me right now.
"Yeah," Kylo, however, said softly. "I just had to rush here to see how you all were doing. Heard the school’s shut down for now."
Yes, school’s closed for now. I guess it’s because of the ongoing investigation. They have to make sure it’s safe for the kids to attend again. And, thank you," I mused, handing him a glass of water. "That was kind of you. Abandoning work and coming to see how we were faring."
He took the glass, then hesitated. "Cut the crap, Isleen. Thanking me is bullshit but is everything okay with your phone? Was it on silent?"
My heart throbbed against my ribs. This was too close. At this point, I’d have to lie. "I– I don’t know," I lied, "Probably on silent."
Kylo seemed unconvinced. I saw his burnt green eyes narrowed slightly. But before he could press further, Liam called out from the living room, thankfully. "Kylo, why are you leaving?"
"In a few minutes, buddy," Kylo replied.
Liam grumbled loudly. "Grrrr! But why so early?!"
Kylo sighed. "I have to get back to work, buddy. But I can swing by after I finish and come back with Cullen. Unless Isleen doesn’t mind, of course."
He tossed me a questioning look, and all eyes turned towards me. My mind went blank. Did I want Kylo around?
Yes, maybe.
It would be good for Liam to have some normalcy, and Kylo’s presence offered a sense of security. Liam also seemed to like him very much.
Well, Isleen do you like him much too? I asked myself.
I did know that it’d be beautiful to have him around but I wasn’t sure I was ready to face him yet, not with the secret I harbored. Not with the mark.
Thankfully, Lupe stepped in, saving me from the awkward silence. "Do you and Cullen work close by?" she asked Kylo.
"No, not really," he replied. "Cullen just comes so we can walk back to Isleen’s together."
"Then you should definitely come," Lupe said, clicking her fingers on Kylo’s way. "Why are you even asking?"
Argh.
Who told her to allow him to come?!
I shot her a silent glare for her intervention but she simply ignored me.
That girl!
Kylo cleared his throat and his gaze trailed my way.
"Well," he began, "I just..."
I knew then there was no point in arguing now. Lupe already said he could come. Moreover, what reason could I possibly give for asking him not to come?
Well, we did break up.
"It’s fine," I shrugged, the words scraping against my throat as they let out. "You can come for sure."
Kylo offered me a small smile. "Great. Then I should probably get going now, so Cullen could locate me easily after work."
He placed his empty glass on the counter and ruffled Liam’s hair one last time. "See you guys later."
Kylo’s gaze met mine again, and for a moment, I felt like he could see right through me. Shame and guilt threatened to drown me.
"Bye, Kylo!" Liam waved enthusiastically, saving me from Kylo’s glare. no𝚟𝚙u𝚋.c𝚘m
He left and relief washed over me. The silence he left behind felt deafening. I sank down onto the couch, my head spinning.
Lupe came over and sat beside me, squeezing my hand comfortingly. "You okay?" she asked softly.
I shook my head but I was unable to speak. Tears welled up in my eyes and began to blur my vision.
Did she think I’d be okay in this case?
