Shattered (Koa #5)

19. Lila

Chapter 19

Lila

W hen I wake up, I’m still snuggled into Asher’s chest. He’s fast asleep, and it’s nearly noon. We slept in. I hate to admit it, but it’s the best sleep I’ve had in ages.

As Asher continues to sleep, I rub his arm, enjoying the warmth beneath my fingers. I take the time to study his face, memorizing every nook and cranny. He’s so peaceful as he sleeps.

If only he had some peace in real life, too.

When he eventually wakes up, he smiles when he looks at me.

“Morning Sunshine.”

“Afternoon, actually.”

His eyes widen. “Shit, did I oversleep?”

“I did, too.” I need to be at Turner’s in an hour for Marina’s birthday party .

“Will you be okay today? You can come to work with me if you want. Bane has a few appointments.”

“I have a thing.” I’m not telling him I’m going to Turner’s if they’ve already squabbled. “But I’ll be fine.”

He nods, looking almost disappointed. “Right. If you need anything, call me.”

“I will.”

Before I can get up, Asher reaches around me and pulls me into his warm chest. He squeezes me tight, and for a moment, I wonder where we go from here.

It’s Marina’s first birthday. When I head over to Turner’s, I’m one of the last ones to arrive, and the parking area is filled with cars. We gather for events on a pretty regular basis, but today, everyone is here.

Marina is the first baby. So naturally, she’s been spoiled like the princess she is since the day she was born. She’s such a happy infant, always smiling and cooing, melting every heart around her.

When I try to get in, I find my code doesn’t work. Turner must’ve changed it. The moment it beeps, keeping me out, my chest tightens. It feels like a slap to the face. I’m tempted to go home.

“Lost?”

I turn around to see Ian walking up the walkway. He must’ve been sitting in his car when he arrived, and I didn’t see him. He’s got this loaded smile on his face that I instantly glare at.

“Yeah, I got kicked out,” I say coldly, pulling down the long sleeves of my shirt that had slipped up my arms. It’s too hot for sleeves today, but I have some good bruises forming from yesterday, and I don’t need a lecture.

Ian winces, uncomfortable. “How are you?” he asks. So fucking loaded.

“I’m fine. Can we go in now?”

As if on queue, the door behind me opens, and I turn to see Turner standing in the doorway, his attention fixed on me.

“You can come in, but I wanna talk first.”

I roll my eyes, irritated. If he thinks he’s going to back me into a corner, he’s got another thing coming.

“Fine.”

Turner lets both Ian and me inside. He motions me to follow him upstairs into the den on the second floor. I take the furthest seat away from him, feeling defensive.

“What’s this about?” I growl.

“First of all, you can cut the attitude. I didn’t have to let you into my house tonight, but I did.”

“Don’t do me any favors,” I say coldly. “If I’m not welcome, I’m fucking out of here.”

“Lila, shut your mouth.”

“No. You shut yours. You had no fucking right to go behind my back and confront all our friends about my business that I told you to STAY OUT OF.”

My accusation makes him pause as if he wasn’t expecting it, which gives me some satisfaction.

“Who told you about that?”

“I saw it. And I’m not telling you who showed me. You had no fucking right,” I repeat .

“Lila, do you not get it? I’m scared for you.”

“You don’t have anything to be scared about.”

“Yeah, then what’s this?” he asks, roughly grabbing my arm and yanking up my sleeve to see a nasty bruise forming.

“You don’t know what a bruise is?”

“I’ve never seen this much on you. Whatever the hell is going on-”

“Is none of your business!” I snap. “Jesus christ, Turner, I’m so sick and tired of you trying to make everyone else’s decisions for them. You’re not God! Stay the hell out of my life.”

“You don’t get it,” he says tiredly.

“No, I do,” I say simply, rising to my feet. “I hate you.”

Turner recoils, visibly wounded. I feel a pang of regret, though I shove it deep down.

“I’ll stay for an hour, then I’m gone. Don’t worry; you will never see me in this house again.”

Before he can rebuttal, I turn on my heels, storming out.

The party is outside in the courtyard. Juliet, Edgar, and Nash are swimming. Marina is under an umbrella at one of the tables in her dad’s lap. Neela and Ty are socializing with Allegra and Ian, and Macy and Gareth sit across from them in their own little world.

I sit at Marina’s table beside Neela, and she happily knocks me in the shoulder.

“You came.”

“Wouldn’t miss it. ”

Turner enters the courtyard from the kitchen, and I feel his eyes burning into me, but I ignore him.

The party goes by casually. Everyone is in and out of the pool while Neela and Ty help Marina open her presents. She gets a toddler car from Gareth and a toy piano from Macy, which is fitting for them. Nash and Edgar got her the largest stuffed animal they could find. Allegra and Ian got her a children’s clay set, which Neela is the most excited about. She grins when she opens mine, a set of colorful and fun children’s books.

“Thanks, Lila,” Ty says.

“You’re welcome. I hope she likes it.”

As the night goes on, I can feel everyone’s eyes on me, which puts me on edge. Eventually, I head inside to grab a drink from the fridge, and when I turn around, I find Macy and Juliet walking in, their eyes fixed on me.

“What?” I snap.

Juliet huffs. “Hi to you, too.”

I frown, feeling guilty. “Sorry, hi.”

“How are you?” Macy asks, and I bristle.

“Ask me what you really want to ask me. I know everyone’s been talking about me behind my back.”

“We’re just worried about you,” Macy says with a frown.

“Well, stop.”

Juliet’s eyes narrow on me, and she grabs my arm, yanking up my sleeve. Her eyes nearly pop out of her head.

“Jesus fuck, Lila!” she snaps.

I shake her off. “Piss off. ”

“What did Asher do to you?” Macy growls. “Lila, we can talk to Edgar. He can help you!”

It’s the last straw before I fucking snap.

“Would you all LEAVE ME ALONE!? I like rough sex! We’re not all broken like you, Mace.”

I regret the words as soon as they’re out of my mouth, and I see the hurt flash in her eyes.

“Mace…”

“No,” she says softly. She opens her mouth to say more, but instead, she turns on her heels and leaves. When the door slams behind her to the courtyard, Juliet turns on me.

“That… was not fucking cool,” she barks.

As Juliet storms out to the courtyard, I turn and head for the back door, feeling defeated and alone.