“Love can only go so far.” I countered carefully, but Jules eyes heated in defense. Why was telling your friends the truth so damn hard sometimes? “You deservesomuch more than you’re getting.” Sloane nodded in agreement, shooting me an encouraging look.
“I’m not entirely sure that’s true.” Jules admitted, staring down at her plate.
Sloane reached out to touch her arm. “It’s true.” She hesitated. “Can I say something brutally honest?” Jules nodded, clearly holding back tears. “Watching you with him this last year—I’m worried you’re like a frog in boiling water.” Sloane saidsogently. “I know you love him, but he’s hurting you. Just because it’s not with his fists doesn’t make it okay.”
“Sometimes he’s actually really, really sweet.” Jules whispered. “It’s not always bad.”
“Of course not, that’s what makes this all so difficult.” I said quietly. “If it werejustthe bad, you would have left him a long time ago.”
“It’s complicated.” Jules admitted tearfully. “And I’m just so fucking tired.”
“I think that means something.” Sloane said. “You should feel clear.Heshould make youfeelclear. Not confused.”
“I don’t know.” Jules pushed her food around on her plate. “Maybe this is as good as it gets.”
“Oh Jules, it gets so much better than this. I just know it.” I slid off my chair and wrapped my arms around her. “I’m here for you. Always.”
“Thanks.” She sniffled, and I found Liam giving us a long look.
I didn’t envy either of them.
Heartbreak was the fucking worst.
I hoped I wasn’t next.
I was retrieving my suitcase from the side porch when Liam came out of nowhere, startling me.
“Everything alright?” I asked, hoping he didn’t ask why I was bringing my suitcase in from outside. Carter had dropped it off before he left.
Liam didn’t, he was far too distracted. Poor thing. “Yeah, everything's great. Why?” He forced a smile, and my heart crumpled a little, realizing he wasn’t going to tell me about Gina.
Fine, I wouldn’t push. Not today, at least, but I hated how he shouldered the weight of the world, worried about burdening anyone else. Especially me. Though I supposed I was busy keeping my own secrets.
“Sara,” He hesitated. “I need to show you something.”
My skin immediately prickled with anxiety. “What is it?”
“It’s better if I show you.” The anxiety I thought I’d conquered rolled over me in a massive wave. Something wasverywrong.
I followed Liam down the corridor, into our father’s office, feeling like my stomach was going to fall out of my nether regions.
Liam went straight for the desk and opened a drawer. The air became so charged I wondered if I was going to puke as he pulled a folded note out.
“Liam?” I demanded, panic clawing at my throat. “What’s this about?”
His jaw fanned, eyes darting between mine. “I’m not even sure I should be showing you this. I don’t want to give you more than you can handle, but I’m assigning you a bodyguard, and the only reason I’m telling you is because I know you won’t let this go unless I explain.” He didn’t extend the note.
“Liam, you’re scaring me.” My voice wobbled, wondering what the hell was going on.
“Just,” He gripped my arm, and my mouth went dry. “I need?—”
“For Christ’s sake.” I grabbed the note out of his hand, unable to wait a second longer.
I mean, how bad could it possibly be? Our mother was already gone. There was no undoing that. I’d been photographed nude. What could possibly be worse than any of that? My hands trembled, and the room might have been spinning as I tried and failed to read that damn note.
I stared at the words written on the page, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t make my eyes focus on the words. I couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe. “Who wrote this?” I asked, willing my eyes to bring the letters into focus, that little smear of red at the bottom, but they just wouldn’t.
You know those moments where you’re trying to read a restaurant menu—but the server is approaching the table and the very fact that you’re running out of time is making it damn near impossible to read the words on the page? This was like that, only so much worse. I could have been trying to read hieroglyphs as I stared at that one line note, and it wouldn’t have made a difference.
