Her Cries in Vain (Strange Rockstars Book 2) by Alexis Pierce & Natalie Barry

Author:Alexis Pierce & Natalie Barry [Pierce, Alexis & Barry, Natalie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lost Window LLC
Published: 2023-08-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Nell

I don’t remember going to bed, but I wake up to the sun shining brightly through my floor-to-ceiling window. I’m alone in my room, but that’s not unusual. Owen has a habit of getting up early to go for a run and pick up breakfast, which means I now have a moment to reflect.

I stand up and walk to the window. I’m wearing pajamas that I don’t remember changing into, and I stare out into the city as bits of last night start to filter in, slowly first and then all at once.

The final part hits me like a truck.

I told Owen I loved him.

Like…a lot.

I probably said it eighty times.

Maybe more.

Tears prick at my eyes. He didn’t say it back. Not even once. He just held me, and then…I guess he brought me to bed and helped me clean up and get changed. Did he lie down with me? I can’t remember. He must have, right? He always does aftercare when we have an intense night, but everything is such a blur because I told him I fucking love him.

Why did I do that? It’s too soon. It’s only been a couple months. He hasn’t said anything like that to me.

I don’t hear the bedroom door open, so I startle and let out a little scream when an arm wraps around my stomach.

I spin around, and he pulls me in for a hug. “Hey, it’s just me,” Owen says gently. “Are you okay?”

I shudder. How can I tell him what I’m thinking without having to admit that I’m insecure about last night? Maybe he didn’t hear me. I was talking fairly quietly—well, after I practically yelled it the first time.

He pulls away, brushing my hair out of my face. He looks concerned, and my heart trips over itself.

“Is this about yesterday?” he asks.

I swallow my nerves and nod.

“About your mom?”

I freeze. Honestly, I’d completely forgotten about her showing up. I was so distracted by everything else that it had consumed me entirely. I bunch my hands in his t-shirt and stare down at them, shaking my head slowly.

He puts his hands on my arms and rubs them. “Is it about…what you said?” His voice is hollow, and tears prick at my eyes. He’s upset. He doesn’t feel the same way. I knew I should have waited, but one moment of explosive passion fucked up my plans. “Do you regret saying it?”

I glance up at his eyes, but his expression is unreadable. I open my mouth, then close it. I don’t know how to answer. I meant my words, but I also regret the pain of saying them. Loving someone only hurts. That’s why I didn’t want to say it.

He takes in a breath and looks past me out the window, his gaze distant. “Did you…mean it?”

I grit my teeth. Instead of answering his question, I ask, “Does it matter? You didn’t say it back.”

His eyes meet mine again, and the pain in his face breaks me. I try to pull away, but he steps forward, pressing me against the window.

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