Torn (Cold Awakening) by Robin Wasserman

Author:Robin Wasserman
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: 2011-10-25T00:00:00+00:00

We retreated to the outer edge of the parking lot, which was nearly empty but for our two cars. It must have been obvious from our expressions how the meeting went, because neither Zo nor Sari asked. They just watched us warily, waiting for someone to make a move.

“Assholes,” I finally said.

Jude snorted. “Can we skip the ritualistic licking of wounds?”

“Right, no point in dwelling on past mistakes,” Riley said. “Especially when they’re yours.”

“Mine? This was your idea.”

“My idea to go, yours to talk—and talk, and talk, and talk, and say nothing. As usual. And then there’s Aikida.” He shook his head. “You’re some master strategist.”

It took me a second to identify the expression on Jude’s face, as I’d never seen it there before: humiliation. And almost as soon as I caught on, it faded away, replaced by pure anger.

Sari draped herself over Riley, her head on his shoulder. “Is anyone going to tell me what happened?”

“What do you care?” Jude spit out. “What the hell are you even doing here?”

“Leave her alone,” Riley said.

Jude scowled at Sari. “She’s a big girl. Let her defend herself.”

“She shouldn’t have to.”

“And Lia shouldn’t have to deal with this crap,” Jude said. “But you bring that here and rub it in her face. Nice.”

“Can we not do this?” I said.

“She’s none of your business,” Riley warned him.

Jude smirked. “Which she are we talking about?”

“Jude, don’t.” Knowing as I spoke that it wouldn’t do any good. “We’re all a little tense after—”

“Let him talk,” Riley said, loudly.

“Oh, I really don’t think you want that,” Jude said.

“Try me.”

“What should we talk about, Riley? The way you turned me in to the secops? Tried to blame it on her?”

“I did not,” Riley insisted.

Jude laughed. “Not out loud. But I know how you think, remember? There’s always an excuse. She talked you into it; she lied to you. So you throw her away instead of just sucking it up and accepting what you did.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Riley growled.

Jude wouldn’t stop. “You ran away when she needed you. Why am I not surprised?”

I didn’t need him standing up for me, especially when he was only doing it because he was spoiling for a fight. “Jude, shut up.”

“Always on her side these days, aren’t you?” Riley said, a nasty edge to his voice.

Sari tugged at his arm. “Forget them. Let’s just go.”

That was my job—had been my job—the peacemaker, the conciliator, the one who would stand between Riley and the wrong choice, and try to turn him the other way. Now there was nothing I could do but watch as he shrugged her off and finished what he’d started.

“He’s the one that should go.”

“Where do you get off?” Jude asked. “You should be on your knees, begging me for forgiveness.”

“Yeah, that’s how you like it, right? I crawl around after you, begging. When’s it going to be enough?”

“I never blamed you.”

“Not out loud.” Riley threw his words back at him. “But I know how you think, remember? Nothing’s ever enough.

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