Chapter 22
Lily's POV.
The music is thumping through the walls as I step off the dance floor, my face flushed and hands trembling. Mark's friends crowd around him, their shouts and whoops fueling his already glowing ego.
I smiled weakly as Mark's friends surrounded us in a tight cluster, clapping him on the back.
"Man, you've got it made," Tyler said, grinning. "Look at you, so deep in love, it's inspiring."
"Seriously," Mason added. "You're practically glowing."
Mark beamed, his arm around my waist. "Thanks, guys." He turned to me. "Shall we get another drink?"
I nodded, forcing a smile, though my heart felt heavy. The dance floor sparkled behind us, couples swaying to a slow ballad, and laughter rose above the music. I knew Mark was right here, holding me, but my thoughts drifted back to earlier today in the locker room.
I excused myself. "Be right back."
I give him a quick smile, but my feet are already carrying me toward the bathroom.
Once inside, I leaned against the door and let the trembling subside. I stare at my reflection and finally let a few shaky breaths escape my lips.
Ever since I caught sight of Joe earlier, everything feels like it's spiraling out of control. I press my hands to my cheeks, heat and confusion swirling inside me.
I can still see him, Joe, back in the locker room with Amber. Just the image is enough to crush my heart all over again. What did I ever mean to him? Maybe that hotel night had been just a passing distraction to him, one more notch on his belt. The thought burns.
I pressed a hand to my forehead. He doesn't care about me.
A wave of anger and grief washed through me. I'd danced with Mark, laughed with his friends, made out with him in full view of everyone… all to prove something to Joe. But if Joe never looked twice, none of it mattered.
I'm just a distraction to him, one more notch on his belt. The thought burned.
I quickly splashed some water on my face and steeled myself to leave. My plan tonight was supposed to make him jealous.
But, in doing so, I've only managed to tear myself up even more. With one last look at my pale face in the mirror, I opened the bathroom door and stepped into the hall.
Heading down the corridor, I felt a sudden tug on my wrist. Before I could cry out, I was yanked into a small storage room and the door slammed shut behind me. I slapped at the lock, panic claws at my ribs.
"Lily!" Joe's voice rang out. He strode forward, hands open. "It's me."
"Joe...what are you doing?" I demand, my voice a trembling whisper.
I pressed myself against the wall, yanking at his arm. "Let me out!" I hissed. "What are you doing?"
He closed the distance, eyes burning. "We need to talk."
"I don't owe you shit," I spat. "You rejected me. We're not together."
He looks just as intense as ever, his eyes locked onto mine like a predator's. "I need to explain," he says hurriedly, stepping closer. "About what happened back at the locker room…"
I raise a hand, my face hardening. "You don't owe me anything," I interrupt, my voice icy. "You made that clear a long time ago."
"That's not true," Joe says, brow furrowing. "You have no idea what's been going on in my head. Let me explain…"
"Explain?" I snap. My words come out sharp, laced with all the nights I cried for him. "You rejected me. Remember? You told me you'd kill me before you'd want me. I'm nobody to you."
"That's not what I meant," Joe growls, his hands fisting at his sides as if to fight himself. "You have no idea what you do to me."
I stiffen, trying to keep my chin up. "And that's exactly why I'm with Mark," I retort. "He actually treats me like I matter."
"Do you really believe that?" Joe's voice is raw now. "You're playing games with him just to get at me. "You think you're happy? You think your little show with him… that proves anything? "
"That's your problem," I fired back. "You always assume everything is about you. Maybe I'm with him because he actually cares. And I'm not trying to prove anything to you. I love Mark. So just leave me alone."
His nostrils flared. "You're stupid. Trying to make me jealous of him."
My eyes burned. "And you're stupid for thinking I ever gave a damn about you."
He lurched forward, gripping my shoulders. "Break up with him," he hissed. "Because he'll never own you. I own you."
I stabbed an index finger at his chest. "What? You think you own me just because you think you're the Alpha's son? You treated me like vermin! You spat on my feelings."
Joe's hands close gently around my arms before I can move past him. "Stop," he whispers, his eyes intense as they hold mine. "Stop lying to yourself. You belong with me."
My breath catches in my throat as I feel his grip , firm but gentle. Every nerve in my body is on fire at his touch. I looked up into his face, torn.
"Belong to you?" I asked bitterly. "Where was that when you rejected me? You can't just pick me up and drop me off whenever you want."
His jaw clenches as he leans closer. "You belonged to someone the moment that person saw you, You just didn't know it. Neither of you knew it," he replied hoarsely. " He messed up. Don't let Mark take his place."
My eyes glisten, my heart aching and soaring all at once. "That someone had the chance," I say in a trembling whisper, "and threw it away."
I wrenched my arm free and, without looking back, stormed out of the room, leaving Joe standing there in the locked silence.
As the door swings shut, my hands shake as I lean against the hallway wall. Inside me, the fight between longing and hurt raged louder than ever before.