Filed To Story: The Perfect Spiral Book PDF Free by Ashley Constantine
“Can you take me back? Please.” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. The sadness in his face mirrors the turmoil inside me. I don’t want to like him, but I do.
In fact, I think I more than like him. The longer we stare at each other, the stronger the feeling grows.
He climbs out of the trunk and extends a hand to help me down. I take it, feeling the warmth of his skin. against mine. I step down, and we continue to watch each other.
I see his jaw tighten, and he licks his lips. I walk backward, slipping my hand out of his. The morning chill instantly replaces the warmth where he was holding me.
I walk back to the passenger side as he lingers for a few more moments. I wait for him to climb into the seat next to me.
Once we’re both in the car, we head back to the hotel. We park in the same spot he was in earlier this morning. We’ve been silent since leaving the sunrise behind.
He cuts the engine, and we walk to the elevator together. Nothing more is said between us. The doors open to reveal the hallway, and we part ways.
I enter the penthouse I share with my mom and Eric, who are having breakfast with Delilah and Ace in the dining area.
“Mornin’, sugar. How was it?” My mom rises from her chair as soon as I enter, but I don’t reply. I walk straight to my room, slamming the door shut and locking it to ensure no further interruptions.
I hastily pack my suitcase, stuffing in balls of clothing. Once it’s zipped up, I roll it along the floor and announce that I’m heading back to the house with Cole and Sasha.
Ignoring their skeptical looks, I walk out the door. No questions are asked, and that’s exactly how I want it.
I spend the entire afternoon thinking about him and his words. I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t help it. After lunch, people gather around the table, sipping on coffee and tea.
I sit with Kyle, Andy, Brett, Ben, and Hannah out back. I start to doze off but am jolted awake by Eden’s loud squeals while playing with Knox. I blow on my fresh cup of coffee to keep myself awake.
I sip my coffee, watching them play every so often. When she laughs, and he smiles at her, I feel a pang of jealousy for my own niece.
Sam and Tyson left for their honeymoon in Hawaii this morning. She was glowing, and Tyson couldn’t keep his hands off her.
My grandfather would be so proud of her, and he would’ve loved Tyson. I’m so happy my sister finally found the one.
Lovey adores Tyson. She danced with him as much as she could last night, telling Sam he’s ‘such a catch’ and winking at her.
My thoughts are interrupted when I hear a cry behind us. The back door slides open to reveal Mila and
Adam.
“See, she’s not gone yet, sweetie. Alex is still here,” he reassures, poking his little head out to confirm my presence. Upon seeing me, he rushes over and clambers into my arms.
His eyes are puffy and red, his cheeks swollen and stained with the salty remnants of his tears. I wipe them away and pull him close, hugging him tightly. “I’m still here, Adam. I wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye to you, honey.”
Ben strokes his head, offering comfort. Adam falls asleep in my arms, his steady breathing nearly lulling me to sleep as well. I’m exhausted from crying so hard. At least someone will miss me, I think to myself.
The mothers have prepared a feast for dinner, a spread fit for my friends and family. They certainly know how to cook a meal. We all gather inside as rain begins to fall just before dinner is ready.
I fill my plate with salad, chicken, and rice. I take a seat at the head of the table, swirling my whiskey neat in a clear glass, watching as raindrops slide down the windowpane.
The encroaching darkness outside feels ominous. I catch Knox’s eye from across the table, Lauren by his side. He offers me a small smile, which I return before looking back down at my food.
Just breathe, Alex. Ben is sitting next to me, Andy on my other side. I try to stay present, to not zone out amidst the chatter of everyone around me.
Ben is engrossed in a conversation about Google and its operations with my brothers, but I can’t focus. I’m just so tired.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Eden’s little head bobbing up and down as she walks over to Knox, a piece of paper in her hand.
She hands it to him, his smile sending her into a fit of giggles as she runs off into the living room. The way they look at each other makes my heart melt.
“Oooooh… baby! She drew you a picture!” Lauren gushes, but her words send a chill down my spine. I freeze, my fork suspended mid-air. Her voice… why does it sound so familiar?
***
After a few minutes of replaying her words in my head, trying to figure it all out, it hits me.
Those words.
I feel the blood drain from my face, as if I’ve been stabbed by a thousand needles.
“Shiiiit Andrew! Right… there!… mmmm right there baby,” the memory from that night echoes in my mind. gasp, my gaze snapping to Lauren. Images from that night flood my mind.
Holy shit.
She’s the girl.
She’s the girl I walked in on with Drew.
Her voice was so similar. How did I not recognize it? That’s why her moans were so familiar. That’s where I know them from. She fucked Drew.
My grip tightens around my fork, the metal bending under the force. Rage courses through me, and I’m ready to launch myself at her.
“Alex? Are you alright?” Ben asks, grabbing my arm, but everyone is staring at me, confused.
The way she said Drew’s name was identical to how she said it now. Same tone, same voice. The same with ‘baby’. Identical.
I feel the words rising in my throat, and I can’t hold them back.
“You-“I point my fork at her, and she gives me a bored expression. “You’re the girl!” I stand, my palms flat on the table to steady myself. My chest is heaving. I can’t even finish my thought, the pieces are falling into place too quickly. That’s how she has the pictures of me. Drew must’ve taken some of me naked and given them to her.
“I have no idea what your stupid ass is talkin-
“You’re the girl I walked in on fucking my ex-boyfriend! It was you!” Her eyes widen a fraction, confirming my accusation. “Oh my god! It was you! You fucking bitch!”
I reach for the glass in front of me, screaming at her as Ben lifts me up and carries me out of the room, away from her. He drags me upstairs, my arms and legs flailing as I try to get at her.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.