“And there was no other opportunity in the past six months?” he asked incredulously.
“I just didn’t think she was ready.” I wouldn’t go into details about my relationship with Rome. She wasn’t really his sister, but it was still awkward to talk about. “She told me about Hank, and frankly, I can’t blame her for feeling this way.”
His eyebrow rose. “She told you about Hank?”
I nodded, feeling my blood boil when I remembered her story. “That he broke her arm in two different places because she wouldn’t sleep with him.”
He kept staring at me like I might say something else. “Did she talk about anything else?”
“No.” Was there more?
Christopher ran his hands through his dark hair, his eyes cryptic. “If you’re cool with it, then we’re gonna stay put. We just moved in, and it would be a bitch to pack everything up again.”
“Keep it.” I just wished I could give the place to Rome instead. I wished I could make up a fake lottery and give her more money than she knew what to do with. She was already a powerful woman, but I wanted to give her more power. I wanted her to be above everyone else, where no one would even consider laying a hand on her. If I could give her a crown, I would.
“Thanks…” He placed his hands in his pockets and stepped back slightly. “So…I guess this is it.”
My misery derived from losing Rome, but I felt an ache from losing Christopher too. I considered him to be a friend, not just her brother. “Yeah…I guess so.”
He extended his hand to shake mine.
I eyed it, touched by the gesture. Despite how angry he was with me, he still had some affection for me. I shook his hand.
“I don’t really understand what happened with Rome, but I can tell you really care about her.”
“More than you know.” I lowered my hand and cleared my throat.
“Good luck.” He gave me a curt nod before he walked off my porch and headed to the sidewalk. He didn’t turn back as he walked away, his hands stuffed into his pockets to hide away from the cold.
I watched him go, feeling Rome walk out of my life all over again.
When his shadow was gone, I walked back inside and headed straight for the liquor.
13
Rome
Christopher watched me like a hawk every single day. He didn’t go on dates or hang out with his work buddies. He didn’t play video games either, choosing to watch whatever I was watching on TV. He didn’t ask me a lot of questions, but he stuck to my side like I might crumble.
Yes, losing Calloway was hard.
Knowing he’d lied to me was harder.
Seeing him every day at work was heartbreaking.
But I wasn’t going to shed a tear. I wasn’t going to give in to the pain. I wasn’t going to let my life slip away. Calloway hurt me in so many ways, I didn’t know where to begin. He was purposely deceitful, and I felt stupid for trusting that man. So, if I let him tear me down the way Hank did, I would let Calloway win.
I couldn’t let him win.
I made a sandwich then sat on the other couch, ignoring Christopher’s peering gaze. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to be discreet or not, but his constant worry was as obvious as the sun.
He finally snapped and turned off the TV. “Look, we need to talk.”
“About?” I popped a chip into my mouth and ate it slowly.
“I know what you’re doing, and it’s not gonna work.”
“I’m just eating a sandwich. What do you think I’m doing?”
“Don’t be a smartass right now.” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “Ever since you guys broke up, you’ve acted like everything is fine, like nothing has changed. But everything has changed, Rome. You can’t just ignore the pain and forget the relationship ever happened.”
“I appreciate your concern.” I kept my voice calm, trying to make him relax. “But really, I’m fine. Calloway lied to me and hurt me… I’m not gonna say he didn’t. But I’m also not gonna sit around and cry all day. That’s not me, and we both know it.”
“I think ignoring it altogether isn’t good either.”
“I’m fine.” I knew I was lying to myself, but if I lied enough times, maybe it would become true.
He sighed then leaned back into the couch. “He’s a complete mess.”
I was about to take a bite of my sandwich when I changed my mind. “You’ve seen him?”
He nodded. “A few nights ago.”
“Why? Where?”
“I went to his place and gave him a piece of my mind.”
Oh, great. “Christopher…he’s not worth it.”
“Too late. I already told him off.”
“How did you even know where he lived?”
“Because I’m not an idiot and can figure shit out.” He crossed his arms, his eyebrows furrowed and tense. “And after I finished giving him hell, I actually felt bad for him.”