I wish I could take back trying to make this bear of a man feel better.
“It’s complicated with the kids,” he says. “And with you. Shit.” He’s still holding my wrist like he’s forgotten he has it. “If it wasn’t for the stalker crap, we’d probably be on our way back to New York right now.”
My veins turn to ice as the reality of what he said sinks in.
The only reason he’s here is to keep me in one piece.
Not because he wants to stay, necessarily.
He’s just too worried about leaving me alone, in danger.
Oh, I should be relieved that he’s this good. But all I can feel is my hurt heart pounding and my brain going dizzy.
I’m used to being the summer girl. The temporary fling.
But holy shit, I’m not good enough for him to say it?
To tell me he stayed because he loves my company? He loves—
Oh my God, no.
He doesn’t love me, and I have no business thinking he might.
I stagger backward.
“You know what, don’t bother. If that’s how you feel, maybe we should all leave.”
His eyebrows lift.
“Margot, that’s not what I meant.” He growls, raking a hand through his hair. “I just meant—look, cutting and running would only be worse.”
Worse than hanging around out of pity?
Out of obligation?
I don’t think so.
“I can be out of your hair by tomorrow,” I say.
“No, wait.” He takes my arm, stopping me as I’m heading for the door. “I can’t keep making stupid decisions. You hear me, woman? I can’t fuck things up again.”
“Again?” I rip myself free from his hold.
So in his mind, I’m one more item on his long list of mistakes.
“Where are you running? Will you stop taking everything I say the worst way possible?” he snarls.
“I’m not running anywhere, Kane Saint,” I say, stopping at the door. “Maybe you should stop running and figure it out.”
Nothing will ever takeaway the peaceful nights.
It’s one of those rare fall nights where the wind sings, the trees creak with whispers, and the stars wink down from moving curtains of clouds.
Below, muffled voices float through my open window, softly bruising my heart.
Mostly the kids.
They’re talking and Dan’s drumming—just a soft patter. I’m sure he’s trying to keep it down.
