Tish and I shoot daggers her way in unison.
We wait. The rain doesn’t stop. It only gets colder, turning from a summer storm into something almost wintry. My teeth chatter, and every breath leaves a small puff of white in the air. I wrap my arms around my middle not just to keep warm, but to protect what I’m carrying.
“Babe,” Tish murmurs, voice tight with concern. “This can’t be good for you or for the baby.”
Just then, the door creaks open and a small group of people step out, laughing and talking.
“Liam!” I call, louder than I mean to.
He turns, brows raised in stunned surprise. “Charlie?”
He says something to the group, then crosses over to us, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. His face is a mix of curiosity and confusion.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to find Sam,” I say, pushing wet hair out of my eyes. “Is he… is he about to come out?”
He winces. “Sorry. He left right after the last song. Took the south exit. Most people don’t even know it exists. My guess? He’s already halfway to the airport.”
It’s like the bottom drops out of me. My knees go weak and my chest aches. The rain on my cheeks mixes with something hotter. Saltier.
“Oh,” I whisper. “I see.”
He hesitates. “I have to ask. Why are you here? Why did you leave him?”
“Because Phern told me to,” I say, voice flat.
Liam’s whole face changes. “Phern? But she said?—”
“Whatever she said is a lie,” Tish cuts in, her words sharp. “She ran Charlotte off while Sam was in Nashville.”
“Please, Liam,” I say, desperate now. “I need to talk to him. It’s important.”
Liam exhales and digs into his pocket, pulling out his phone. He dials, holding it to his ear while I squeeze Tish’s hand like a lifeline.
No answer.
“Went to voicemail,” Liam mutters. “I can try Phern. Maybe we can figure out?—”
“No,” I say quickly, shaking my head. “Don’t bother. She made her opinion of me pretty damn clear.” My voice cracks. “And Sam did too, if I’m being honest. He never replied to any of my letters.”
“Letters?” Liam repeats, confused.
But I can’t keep talking. I’m soaked through. Exhausted. Shivering. The weight of months without him, of chasing someone who might never want to be found… it’s crushing.
I turn to Tish. “Let’s go.”
“Charlie—” Liam starts, but I’m already walking.
I don’t look back. I can’t. The tears are falling faster than the rain now, and I honestly don’t know which is colder.
But I do know this. I’ve never felt so alone.
28
LIAM
I watch Charlie walk away like she’s carrying the weight of the damn world on her back. She looks defeated in a way no one should ever have to feel. Her shoulders curl in, like she’s trying to hold herself together and barely managing.
