Chapter 85: The truth
WILLA
A sharp clink echoed against the glass for the third time.
Verah and I groaned in unison. We had only returned from carrying those dratted crates about two minutes ago and had collapsed onto the bed to rest our aching, exhausted bodies. The persistent clinking made that impossible.
"One more time," Verah said through gritted teeth, "one more time and you’re going down."
As if the perpetrator had heard her threat, the sound echoed again for the fourth time.
"That is it!" She jumped off the bed and marched to the window. She yanked it open and thrust her head outside.
"Do you have a death wish, Lance Beckett?!" she shouted.
"I just want to talk!" Lance called back.
"She doesn’t want to speak to you!" Verah screamed in return. "Get that into your fucking thick skull!"
"Why aren’t you home for spring break?" Lance fired back. "Everything’s better when you aren’t there."
"I should be asking you the same, skirt chaser!" Verah shot at him.
"I am not a skirt chaser!" Lance protested, sounding genuinely offended.
"You totally are!" Verah insisted.
"I’m not!" he repeated.
"I don’t care!" Verah answered. "But I swear on the Goddess, if you don’t stop, I’m coming down there and you’ll definitely regret the day I became your cousin!"
I grimaced, twisting on the bed and pressing a pillow over my ears. But I couldn’t block out their voices. They were too loud.
"I just want to talk to her, Verah," Lance pleaded.
"You already did," Verah pointed out. "And you fucking blew your chances."
I sat up on the bed, staring at the wall while listening to the cousins argue. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I rose and walked over to the window.
I leaned next to Verah, looking out. Lance was pacing below, still wearing the black hoodie and white cargo pants. Then he turned, and his entire face lit up the moment he saw me.
"It’s a misunderstanding," Lance called up. "I swear, it’s not what you think."
"Don’t trust whatever comes out of his mouth," Verah said loudly.
"I heard that!" Lance growled.
"It was meant for you to hear!" Verah said.
"You’re my cousin. You should support me, not antagonize me!"
"Elyse is my best friend," Verah singsonged, flashing him a mocking smile.
Lance let out an exasperated sigh. He turned his pleading eyes back to me. "Let me explain, please."
I swallowed hard, saying nothing.
"We don’t want to hear it," Verah answered for me.
But I did want to. Even though I knew it might be the same excuses, the same evasion... I was still hoping he would finally say something that made sense this time.
Verah opened her mouth again, but I stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm.
"I’ll come down."
Lance grinned triumphantly, sticking his tongue out at Verah like a child.
Verah scowled at me. "You can’t be serious!"
"I don’t want to keep assuming," I said quietly.
"It’s better than believing whatever lies he has to say!" Verah snapped.
I slipped out of the black sweatshirt and pink joggers I was still wearing. I sniffed myself and wrinkled my nose in distaste.
I groaned inwardly. I should have freshened up the moment I stepped inside. But I hadn’t expected Lance to come back so soon.
Regardless, I couldn’t go out like this. I ran into the bathroom and took the fastest shower of my life.
I pulled on a light blue A-line dress with thin spaghetti straps, brushed my fingers through my damp hair, and tied it up in a quick ponytail. I stared at my face in the mirror, grimacing, wondering if I should put on a little makeup or just leave it bare.
"Seriously?" Verah snorted from behind me. "You’re doing all this for my cousin? He’s not even taking you out on a date yet!"
I flushed, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "Would you rather I stink in his presence?"
"Yes," Verah nodded, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "I’d prefer that very much. At least then he won’t bother you anymore."
"Aww," I turned to face her. "Aren’t you so sweet?"
"I know I am," Verah said with a cheeky grin. "Anything to annoy him. I’m always up for it."
"He’s your cousin," I reminded her, shaking my head. "Who’s supposed to be my mate. I think you should tone down the annoyance a notch."
She pursed her lips, tilting her head. "I’ll think about it."
I laughed softly, shaking my head again. I turned back to the mirror, staring at my reflection. "Do you think it’s better this way or..."
"You are beautiful," Verah cut me off firmly. "No need to dress all up for the idiot. If this sight revolts him, then reject him. You have two more — or is it three more — mates?"
The truth was, my face had always been bare as Willa. But ever since becoming Elyse, I was becoming more self-conscious, more superficial.
It wasn’t a date, like Verah said, but I didn’t know why I still wanted to look good. Anyway, I trusted her words and settled for just a swipe of nude lip gloss.
I slipped into a pair of beige flat sandals — casual enough without looking like I was trying too hard.
I rushed out of the room and headed toward the courtyard. Lance was seated on the stone bench, waiting patiently.
"Hey," I said, announcing my presence.
He shot to his feet, taking a step toward me before stopping short. His eyes trailed slowly from my head down to my feet, then back up to my face. A warm, appreciative smile spread across his lips.
Heat crept into my cheeks. I took that as approval.
"So, the truth," I murmured, cutting straight to the chase.
"Ah, yes," Lance said, an awkward smile tugging at his mouth.
"I’m sorry," he added in a voice that almost sounded sincere except the look in his eyes said otherwise.
