Chapter 148

LUCY

“Let’s get out of here for a while,” Yena said, standing. “Maybe Evan could take us to that boxing gym I told you about. Working out always helps me get out of my head when I’m feeling bad.”

Lucy looked around at all the clothing and packaging that she’d come over to help Yena with. “But we have work to do. Tomorrow’s your last day and I promised I’d help you with all the business stuff.”

“We’ll do it later.” Yena waved dismissively at the business supplies. “Lucy, there are bigger concerns in the world right now than whether someone gets a dress delivered on time. I mean, your ex-boyfriend just declared war on my ex-husband, for goodness’ sake.”

Lucy laughed, then covered her mouth her hand to stifle it. “I’m sorry. It’s not funny. Just when you put it like that…”

“It’s okay,” Yena replied, smiling. “Sitting here crying and worrying isn’t going to help anyone. Come on. Let’s go do something fun and try to forget about it all for a few minutes.”

The gym had just closed to the public for the day. Evan spoke with the owner on the phone as the three of them drove over, making arrangements for him and the girls to have the place to themselves for a few hours.

“Whoa.” Lucy stood in place and spun around slowly, looking at all the boxing rings and equipment while Evan walked around flipping all the lights on. “This is so cool.”

“Right?” Yena led Lucy over to a bench. Evan met them there and got them started gearing up.

“How long have you been doing this?” Lucy asked Evan as he taped her hands.

“Just started a few months ago,” he replied. “Wanted to mix up my workouts. So, I’m not a professional coach or anything, alright? All I can do is guide you on some basics and try to make sure you don’t accidentally hurt yourselves or each other.”

“Thank you, Evan.” Yena rolled her eyes at her brother.

“Hey, I’m not the one who almost ate shit stepping out of the ring last time,” he snapped back at her playfully, finishing Lucy’s tape and turning to Yena with a mocking smile.

Yena blushed, then glared at Evan severely until he cowered and retreated with his palms in the air, biting back laughter.

“What’s that about?” Lucy asked. “You injure yourself the last time you were here?”

Yena licked her lips and smiled. Her eyes darted over at her brother, who was across the room gathering more supplies. “I was fine. Just be careful with the ropes when you’re climbing down from the ring, those things are slippery.”

Evan returned and the three of them got up into the ring. He acted as referee as well as coach to both girls and guided them to spar with each other, until Lucy tore her gloves off dramatically, doubled over with her hands on her knees, and declared that she would die if she kept it up any longer.

They drove back to Tina’s together in Evan’s car afterward, all smiling and smelling of sweat.

Lucy only passed through the house briefly, with Yena running interference against Tina, who as usual wanted to insist on her staying to eat first. Yena did come away with a small parcel of baked goods that she pushed into Lucy’s hands as they crossed the porch.

“Tell her thanks,” Lucy said when they reached her car.

“Course. Get home safe.” Yena glanced up and down the street, looking nervous.

“You don’t think he’s going to come after me, do you, Yena?”

“No!” Yena’s eyes whipped back to meet Lucy’s. “Why would he?”

Lucy exhaled. “I promised Adan I’d never tell anyone that he and I had been seeing each other. Specifically, I promised I’d never tell you about any of this. If he ever found out…”

“He’s not going to find out because I’m not going to tell anyone.” Yena put her hand on Lucy’s shoulder. “He’s got no reason to bother you now that you know who he really is. But you can always call me if you need anything, okay?”

They hugged and parted ways, Yena prancing quickly back into the house, and Lucy driving down the street slowly, glancing often at her rearview mirror. At the far end of the street, a parked car revved to life and began driving behind her toward the highway.

Lucy’s friends had helped her feel better for a while. But the fact was, her controlling ex-boyfriend had just started a war, and might’ve used her as part of his plot to take down her best friend’s husband. A good man who had earned his right to be King.

Lucy felt sick with guilt, whether or not Yena blamed her.

And she could not stop looking into all her mirrors as she drove on back to her parents’ house. The car that had been parked on Yena’s street was still following behind her at a distance.

She told herself she was just being paranoid. But she sped up anyway, just to see if the other car would follow suit.

It did. And it trailed behind her almost all the way home, peeling away around a corner only just before she reached her block.

YENA

I was grateful for the workout with Lucy and Evan, because it set me up for a good night’s rest. I went to bed early and was out cold for about six hours, feeling stiff when I woke, not having moved at all in my sleep.

It was still very early in the morning, dark outside and quiet in the house. But I rose wide awake and finally, with the pressure of having no more time to waste, got all my belongings packed for the trip. Our flight was tomorrow, and this was my last day here.

I only ever intended to stay in the human world for a single semester, but now that things were changing here, I started to wonder if Evan and I might wind up staying longer. It all depended on how quickly Nolan could settle this war with Adan.

I moved around my bedroom with a surreal, detached feeling, and got everything – boxed up items to donate, trash to take out, my luggage packed with my prized belongings, and, of course, all the business supplies – sorted neatly into different areas.

The sun rose as I worked, warming and brightening my bedroom just as the aromas of breakfast starting in the kitchen found their way upstairs, making my mouth water and my stomach growl.

Tina smiled brightly when I entered the kitchen.

“My dear, sweet Yena,” she said. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me again. And this time, to go even further away.”

I frowned. “You’re making me sad, Tina. You know I don’t want to leave you and Peter.”

“I know, and I’m sorry, sweetheart. I don’t mean to give you a hard time.” Tina poured a cup of coffee and set it in front of me, then stroked my hair. “I’ll miss you, that’s all. The both of you.”

A knock at the door that I recognized as Lucy’s spared me from the painful moment. I took a sip of coffee then went to let her in.

“It’s Yena’s last day!” Lucy proclaimed when I opened the door. “I’m so sad!”

“Not you, too.” I shook my head. “Tina was just giving me the same speech.”

“Is that Lucy?” came Tina’s voice from around the corner in the kitchen. “Lucy! You skipped dinner last night. Come and eat breakfast!”

It was bittersweet, enjoying what would be the last time we all ate breakfast together. Peter and Evan came and ate with us as well. It was smiles all around, with Tina and Peter repeating how proud and excited they were, but I saw occasional sparkles in Tina’s eyes that told me she was doing her best to hold back tears. So I opted not to linger, pulling Lucy upstairs quickly after we finished eating.

“This is impressive,” Lucy said, looking around my room. “I can’t believe you got all this done.”

“Well, it’s organized, but there’s still so much to do. You and I can finish boxing up the dresses first, then take them to the shipping place. And do you mind taking me to drop off these donations while we’re out, too?”

“Not at all. Let’s get started on the dresses. And I can drive you wherever you want to go. But let me help you out, Yena. I have plenty of time this weekend to drop off the donations and finish shipping everything. You don’t need to worry about doing everything yourself today.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do all that for me, Lucy.”

“You didn’t,” she replied, grinning. “I’m offering.”