Descent From Grace: A Luxe Novella Book 1.5 Read Free Page A

he closes the door behind us.
      “You gonna pee?” he says in the most dick-like manner.
  “Are you kidding me! Get the fuck out!” I almost yell this too loudly; I pull open the door. “Get out,” I growl, having a hard time controlling my anger, feeling like I could shove him.
    I see his eyes dance around the room before he leaves, like he’s checking if there’s anything I can hurt myself with. When he steps out of the bathroom, he looks back at me, and just to be a bitch, I part my lips and push my tongue to my canine tooth then slam and lock the door.
  “Lily!” I hear his hands smack the door.
  “Go away, Ian. I have to use the bathroom,” I huff.
    I don’t have the urge to cut anymore, now I’m just tired and feeling mentally exhausted. This morning has been treacherous and my mood swings are insane. I knew it’d be bad when we came home, but I didn’t think I’d be like this. I thought maybe I’d push through a little depression, but I’m going straight crazy. I’m not sure I can deal with what I’ve agreed to.
    I lean on the door and he loudly knocks. “Lily,” he says a little louder.
God, my emotions are insane today. “Please, baby,” I manage to say, fighting back tears. “I’m okay.”
      “Ian,” I hear Ed say, then I hear Ian’s footsteps as he walks away from the door.
    I take a few deep breaths before going to the mirror. The weeks when I was in Barbados I didn’t have to wear makeup. Nothing could bring down the bliss I felt, not even my mom in the mirror, but today I applied a full face, and looking in the mirror, I still see her. I know what I forgot, lipstick. Pulling my red lipstick out, I glide it across my lips then push them together.
    When I come from the bathroom and meet them in the living room, Ian’s eyes shoot to me and he crosses the room, taking my arm that I nonchalantly pull from his hand. I know he’s discreetly trying to check for marks.
      “You want to look around, Lily?” Ed asks me and I smile.
    When I look at him, I swear he’s flirting with me because I’ve seen this same look on Ian’s face, and I know damn well when he used it, he was trying to seduce me.
      “Well.” I say and glance around. “I’m going to be living here awhile, no reason I can’t look around later. I can’t exactly opt for a different place, can I?” I look at Ian and I know that was bitchy of me.
      “You don’t like it?” he asks and the hurt in his voice almost makes me cry.
    I’ve finally gone insane, I think. One second I’m trying to be a bitch and the next I want to cry because I hurt his feelings.
      “It’s fine.” I touch his arm and smile. “I like it.” With a nod, I rub my thumb across his arm then lower my hand.
      “You hungry, Lily?”
    I bring my attention back to Ed and the thought to say ‘yes, for you’ comes to my head. FUCKING INSANE!
    But I smile and force that thought away while nodding and say, “I am.”
    He takes my hand and is walking me out the door and toward my car.
      “You like seafood?”
      “Not particularly, but I’m up for something new. I eat some fish.”
    When he starts talking about the restaurant we’re going to, I glance behind us at Ian looking at his cellphone despondently, and I wonder if it’s Karen.
      “You drive your car and I’ll drive Ian’s.” Ed holds his hand out to Ian for keys and Ian looks at him like he’s insane. “Better yet, I’ll ride with Lily.” He grins sinisterly and Ian hands over his keys instantly. “All right then. You know where it is?”
      “Yeah.” Ian mutters, circling the car to get into the passenger seat.
    My car! My red convertible BMW!
     
    Did He hold too tight?
    Karen’s just texted me she fell out of the bed and is having a hard time getting up. I asked where her sister was, but she hasn’t showed yet.
      “Everything okay?” Lily asks while I text Karen’s sister.
  “Uh.” I look at her. “Karen fell out of the bed and