Free Poseidon (The God Chronicles) by Kamery Solomon Page A

showed up, too.”
    “Then how did you not get picked up by them?”
    “I just didn’t, Audrey.”
    “I don’t know that I believe you,” I said, standing. “I mean really, I’m not as upset as I thought I was. But I don’t want to be lied to about everything.”
    “I’m not lying!” he said, standing as well.
    “I heard you,” I yelled. “I heard you and Ash. I know she asked you to kiss her. I saw you dancing with her and caressing her neck!” I walked over to the door furiously and grabbed the handle.
    “We were dancing!” he yelled back. “What was I supposed to do? Stand on the other side of the room from her? And yes, she asked me to kiss her, but I didn’t!”
    “I don’t think I can be friends with a liar,” I said, fighting the stupid tears that were forming in my eyes.
    “Audrey, don’t say that,” he said, his voice softening.
    I couldn’t understand my emotions again, rolling around like seaweed in the surf. All of my jealousy had returned, powering the unusual amount of anger I was feeling towards him.
    “Goodbye, Sy,” I said tearfully, turning the knob in my hand.
    Before I could even crack open the door, he was behind me, hands on my shoulders. With a force that surprised me, he spun me around and pushed me up against it, taking my face in his hands.
    Time was frozen as his lips pressed against mine in a desperate frenzy, stealing my breath and shocking me to the core. His hot breath washed over my face as his hands slid to my neck, whispering softly over my skin.
    Gathering all of my strength, I pushed him from me and wrenched the door open, running for the safety of my own home.
    “ Audrey, wait!” his voice called out behind me, pleading. “Please!”
    I reached my own door and ran inside without looking back, slamming it shut and collapsing on the floor in a pile of shame and tears.
    He kissed me! I touched my lips with shaking fingers, not believing what had just happened. As I pulled my hand back, the glittering band on my finger flashed in the morning light.
    What have I done?
    I sobbed harder, not understanding why he would do something so cruel.
    “Audrey?” His voice came from the other side of the door, soft and apologetic. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry. Please, talk to me.”
    I stood, tears still streaming down my face and quietly locked the deadbolt on the door before going to my room. John’s picture smiled at me from the nightstand as always, no accusations in his face. Guilt racked through me all the same, tearing my now fragile being into more pieces.
    “John, I’m sorry,” I sobbed. “I didn’t ask him to. He just did it. Please, forgive me,” I cried, asking for a pardon because I enjoyed Sy’s kiss. I laid down on the bed and curled up into a ball, my plans for the day forgotten.
     
     
    “ Audrey?”
    I opened my eyes, waking from the nap I’d been taking. The news was playing on the television, a sure sign I’d fallen asleep during a show earlier.
    “Audrey, please talk to me. I’ve been thinking about what happened all day.” Sy sounded even more apologetic than he had this morning, but I stayed where I was.
    I wanted to let him in though. I wanted to fling open the door and kiss him again. Every inch of me craved to have his hands on me once more—it scared me senseless.
    “ Audrey, I have something I want—I need to say to your face. Please, let me in.”
    When I still didn’t open the door to him, he sighed and continued.
    “You’re not going to let me in, are you?” Suddenly, there was a loud pounding on the door and, out of nowhere, he started to yell. “Do you think I want to feel this way? I bet you just lie around and imagine how you’re making me pine after you! Well, guess what? I don’t want to have feelings for a widow! Especially one who can’t let go of her dead husband!”
    I sucked in a breath, the words like a slap in the face. Tears pricked in my eyes and I pulled a pillow over my head in an