Forbidden Obsessions (Deviant Desires of Bennington University #2)

Chapter Fourteen

Tomas

T he girls huddle together, trembling, in my backseat. The emergency entrance comes into view. Olivia makes a disgruntled noise of protest. “No, Tomas. Home. Take me home,” she enunciates, like it will change my mind.

“Absolutely not. You need a doctor,” I tell her with finality. Her eyes bore into the back of my head, probably plotting my death, but I don’t care. Her safety, and Mia’s, too, are my primary concerns.

“You are a doctor,” she seethes.

“I’m not qualified to be a part of your care team, Olivia. Boundaries.”

“Oh, but sneaking around to do my mom’s chemotherapy without telling me is kosher, right?” I understand her anger. I just thought I would have more time before this blew up in my face.

“I never said it was right, Olivia. We’ve had a whirlwind night. We should talk after we’ve eaten, showered, and slept.” She rolls her eyes. I’m glad her attitude seems to be in working order.

Mia hasn’t uttered a single word since before we left. Olivia told me about her and Matt ending things—both real and fake. Putting myself in Matt’s shoes, I would want to know. Word of what happened has likely gotten around by now. Fuck it. I type out a text to Matt.

Tomas: I have Mia with me and Olivia. We’re at Cambridge General, the ER. Mia’s pretty battered. You might want to come see her.

The whole Emergency Department turns their stares toward us. I haven’t looked in a mirror recently, but I imagine I look how I feel: tired, numb, angry, hollow, and most of all, guilty.

Once again, my poor decisions equated to hurting Olivia.

“Hamilton,” a nurse calls. We both stand. The nurse looks between the two of us. “She needs to be evaluated alone.”

I open my mouth to protest, then shut it. Olivia doesn’t need me creating additional drama. She gives me a peck on the cheek before following the nurse to triage.

Minutes after Olivia heads back, Matt storms into the emergency room. Mia doesn’t even look back at the commotion. His eyes light up when he spots her, then crumples as he takes in her expression. Her black lace and tulle ball gown are torn. Streaks of blood mat her hair and her arm. I’m not sure if it’s hers or Olivia’s.

“Mia,” he says in a tortured cry before falling at her feet. Her gaze drifts lower to meet his. I try to give the pair some privacy and pretend not to eavesdrop. The air is thick with tension; so thick, you could cut it with a knife. Mia looks at him blankly for a long while before her lower lip wobbles and she falls apart in his arms.

Matt gently lowers Mia to his lap on the floor, holding her against him. “I’m sorry,” she stammers against him.

His arms tighten. “Me too, Mia. Me too.”

My phone vibrates in my pocket. Fuck. I forgot I still had Olivia’s phone. “Lex is fine. She’s with Dagny. Whoever that is.” Mia gives a small smile, so I take it as good news.

—scene break—

“Wake up,” Olivia says, jostling me. The sun is up. My eyes look over at the empty chairs next to me. Guess Matt took Mia home. Good.

“Ready to get out of here?” I ask, stretching my stiff limbs and fishing my keys out of my pocket.

Olivia gives me a terse nod. I know it’s been a long night, likely the worst of her life. Her careful reactions and overwhelming silence are making me uneasy, though. I didn’t expect sunshine and roses, but some affection—reassurance, I guess—would be nice.

I help Olivia into my passenger seat and start to drive. “What did they say?” I ask cautiously.

“Laceration and deep bruising. It’ll be sore. I’ll be fine,” she tells me flatly.

“Matt came and got Mia,” I say with a smile. She nods again. The silence and unshakable feeling that the other shoe is about to drop threatens to suffocate me.

I’m about five minutes from the house when she clears her throat. “Please take me to the apartment,” she demands. The pressure on my chest crushes me a little more.

“Okay.” There’s nothing worth arguing. I was an accomplice in hiding something immensely important from her. As if that wasn’t enough, I almost got her killed. She deserves space to think. I deserve to be alone.

The second I pull into the parking spot, she flings her door open. “Olivia,” I call weakly, unsure of what I can say. She turns, tears welling in her eyes. My heart shatters. I did this to her. I did this to Vanessa.

“ Are we… over?” I can barely utter the words.

“No.” She shakes her head, looking at me earnestly. She wipes her eyes on the sleeve of her dress, wincing as she brushes her face. “No, Tomas, but I need time. I’m sad and betrayed. I’m gutted about Mom. About Vanessa, too. I’m horrified for Mia,” she says quietly.

I swallow thickly. “Take as much time as you need. I’ll be here to pick you up the second you’re ready to come home.”

“Thank you.” She squeezes my hand gently.

“I love you,” I remind her, kissing her knuckles.

“I love you, too.” She gets out, shutting the door softly behind her. She walks away, taking my heart with her.

My drive home is too quiet. Olivia is front and center in my mind, but I can’t help but wonder about Vanessa, too. Was the gunshot that erupted after we left by her hand or Nathan’s?

I park, then freeze in place as I climb the stairs of the front steps. Vanessa gives me a sad smile. Her blond hair is a tousled and mangled mess of waves. Dark circles frame her face, while her eyes border on downright bloodshot. She looks worn out. Aren’t we all?

I break the silence first. “I owe you an apology. I’ve scorned and single-handedly blamed you since it happened, Vanessa. I’m sorry.”

She waves me off. “How could you have known that my step brother was a psychopathic asshole madly in love with me to the point of obsession?”

“I know. I’ve walked around blaming you for propositioning and blackmailing me, but it was me as much as it was you. I hope, someday, you’ll forgive me.”

“You seem really happy with Olivia. She brings out a side of you that I’ve never seen.” Vanessa gives me a small smile before picking at her nails.

“Yes, she does. Definitely my better half, as the saying goes,” I agree, laughing softly.

“I wanted to be that person for you so badly, DeLuca. I can’t even begin to tell you, but Liv could. She gets it. I’m not telling you this out of jealousy or spite. I’m just… happy for you,” she says, swallowing thickly.

“Is he gone?” I ask abruptly. She hasn’t mentioned what happened. If he’s walked away from unscathed again, I’m going to hunt him down and fucking kill him myself. Rage stirs in my stomach. The urge to hurt is overwhelming.

“Yes, he’s gone,” she says hoarsely. I sag in relief. The beast in my chest tampers down a bit. “I’m here to say goodbye and apologize one final time,” she says suddenly.

I quip my brows. “There’s nothing here for me,” she says flatly. “My stepfather will have me killed if the truth comes to light about Nathan. My mother doesn’t give a fuck about me. The dating pool is trash,” she shrugs.

“So, where are you going?” I press.

“Wyoming, for now. Wherever I want, eventually.” For the first time since she’s resurfaced, she seems at peace.

“Well, good luck wherever you end up, Vanessa. I mean that as your former professor and an old fling.” Crimson creeps down her cheeks and neck.

“Goodbye, Tomas. Keep that girl happy.” She turns on her heel and leaves, hopefully to find the happiness that she never found here.

I stew on her words. Olivia does bring out a good side of me. I’m more patient and understanding, less sarcastic, and more empathetic. Even Vanessa noticed it.

On the other hand, I’m a joke . I mean, fuck. Look at my track record of blurred boundaries and power imbalances. I punched a student on her behalf. I’ve engaged in underage drinking, made lewd jokes, fucked in classrooms, and much more.

She deserves someone better, someone more mature, or closer to her current walk of life. I’m more than willing to give her time to heal and come to the conclusion on her own. Hell, maybe she already has. Hopefully, she already has. I desperately want to give her forever, but I don’t think it’s in our cards.