Free False Illusions (False #1) by A. Cramton

of here. She wouldn’t even look at me.
    “Hey, you ready to get out of here?” Chris asks finishing his beer.
    No point in sticking around. “Yeah.”
    After putting Carla in a cab we grab another one for us.  I’m quiet and Chris knows me well enough to leave me alone.
    I’m tempted to text Madison again, but I don’t want to make whatever is going on worse. Maybe I’m overthinking all of this and she could be on her way to see me at this moment or maybe she fell asleep and is waiting for me in my room. It wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened.
    Relax. I tell myself, but even as we wait for the elevator something tells me she won’t be there and she won’t be coming.
    “El, I know why your quiet.” Chris starts. “Look, I saw Rico talking to her at the bar and that’s when she ran off.”
    I snap my head up to look at him. “What?” I grit out.
    He takes a slow breath and shakes his head. “Fuck. I think he told her, El. Come on, think about it. She ran out like someone was after her.”
    I think back to her glossy grey eyes and how she could barely look at me. She damn near begged Marcus to take her home. I wanted to reach out to her, fuck, I wanted to run after to her but I was stuck there.
    Instead of pressing the penthouse button I hit the floor below it. I needed to know what was said.
    Anger rushes through me as I stalk down the hallway, Chris right behind me.
    “Calm down, El.” He tries to keep up, but I’m pissed. If Rico told her the truth I don’t know what I might do.
    Bang. Bang. Bang.
    It takes only a minute for the door to swing open and immediately I have Rico by his throat against the wall. Chris quickly closes the door.
    “Shit, El.” He tries to pull me off.
    I ignore him and glare at Rico. “What the fuck did you say to her?” I demand.
    Rico is struggling to get me off him but I’m stronger. I tighten my grip.
    “I said what the fuck did you tell her?” This time I say it slowly.
    “Well he can’t reply if you’re cutting off his air supply,” Chris says dryly leaning against the wall.
    I give one good push before letting him drop to floor gasping for air.
    “What the fuck,” Rico struggles to breathe.
    I squat to eye level with him. “Don’t fuck with me, Rico. What did you say to Madison at the bar.”
    He stares at me like I’m crazy, but once he realizes I was getting impatient he starts scooting towards the wall.
    “I told her the truth. You have been losing focus!” he blurts out. “I need you focused!”
    I’m about to grab him again when Chris pulls me up and away from Rico.
    I struggle against him, but he doesn’t let up.
    “Who the fuck are you to say shit. I fucking pay you,” I snap at him. “You didn’t have the right to tell her shit.”
    Rico stands himself up, straightening his shirt. “I did you a favor, El. She’s fucking engaged, do you think she’ll leave everything for you?” He laughs. “You’re not from her world. Do not forget it. Attacking your own blood over her.”
    Chris pulls me back again. “It’s not even worth it, El.”
    I stare at my uncle for a moment before I shake my head. “You’re not fucking worth it. Pack your shit, you’re fired.”
    I turn and walk out before he can say anything. How could he do that when he knew what she meant to me? Did he have a point? Was I actually expecting her to leave everything for me?
    I refrain from slamming my fist into the elevator door. When the doors to my room open I’m greeted to a cold feeling. Madison knows the truth and I knew what would happen, she hated me. I can’t get the memory from tonight of her blinking away tears. Tears that my selfishness caused.
    It breaks me knowing she’s somewhere alone crying and I’m not there to hold her, tell how sorry I am and that I’m in love with her.
    Yes. I fucking love her.
    I just need to prove it.
     

 

    Love Yourself- Justin Bieber
    I play with my engagement ring, twirling it at the tips of my fingers. I