“Please don’t hateme,” she whispered.
He looked at her with the eyes of a stranger. It was like he was bumping into her at the mall.“How can I hate you? I don’t even fucking know you, Elliot.” Not E. Not even Ellie. Just Elliot. Damn.
She stifled the sob that tried to escape from her lips because she didn’t want to alarm his son. She couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Ellie barely made it to the hallway before she broke down. She knew that she was giving up something special with Loyal, but she also knew if she didn’t, her daughters would be giving up something greater. They needed Cairo more than she needed Loyal. If anyone had to sacrifice, it would be her. She and Loyal had just crossed paths at the wrong time, but in the short time she had known him, he had completely transformed her expectation of love. Now, she had a standard. She just wasn’t sure anyone else would be able to live up to it.
Chapter 23
December 26th
Sloan pulled up to the address Ellie had sent. She hated that she was nervous. They had never gone this long without speaking, and the knot in her stomach made her feel like she would throw up. She hated the discord. Christmas had been spent on the most glorious beach, but the sun did nothing to melt away the feeling of disconnection that she felt. She had gone away hoping to heal, but she had only isolated herself and intensified her pain. Relief had filled her when Ellie had waved the white flag. To think of bringing in the New Year without fixing things with her friend was heavy. Ellie was her constant. Ellie was her sister. She felt obligated to make amends. Soul mates came in many forms, and hers was Elliot Whitlock-Campbell. The traditional home was picture-perfect. It looked like something out of aHome Alonemovie. The snow-covered lawn framed the bricked colonial with the three-car garage.
She bent her neck to look out her passenger window as she parked curbside. Ellie’s mother’s car was parked in the driveway. Sloan climbed out of the car and walked to the door. She rang the bell, and Ellie pulled open the door.
“Come on in,” Ellie welcomed before leading Sloan to the living room.
“Whose house is this?” Sloan asked as she turned in a circle while giving the place a once-over. It was beautifully renovated inside. Everything was new, updated with the highest finishes.
“It’s mine,” Ellie answered.
Sloan turned to Ellie in surprise.
“A Christmas giftfrom Loyal. I guess I’m moving back home,” Ellie said, shrugging.
Sloan gave Ellie a small smile. It was all her soul could offer right now. She nodded.
“Wow, this is a big gift. You’re living here with him?” Sloanasked.
Ellie shook her head.“No, alone. I told Loyal I need time. I need to settle my divorce, give the girls time to adjust, and give myself time to process the end of a marriage and a relocation back home before I let Loyal whisk me off my feet. I tried to give the house back, but he said it was an insult. So, I guess this is our new home.”
“Is it in your name?” Sloanasked.
“Bitch, you know Iain’t Boo Boo the fucking fool. Absolutely,” Ellie replied.
“That’s a good move, Ellie,” Sloan said.“We all wanted you closer. I know your dad is happy, and I’m really happy you decided to pull the trigger on your divorce. You deserve so much better. I know it’llhurt. It’s grieving a person that’s still alive, but I think it’s for the best.”
“Yeah, me too. He pulled up to Papa’s house on Christmas, after he got wind that I was filing, and tried to talk about a reconciliation,” Ellie informed.
Sloan jerked her neck back in shock.
“Exactly my reaction,” Ellie stated, not even needing words from Sloan.“I considered it too. I wanted to do what’s best for the girls, and I felt like I should stick it out so that their father could come home, but nah. Fuck that and fuck him. What’s best for my kids is showing them how to walk away from something that doesn’t serve them.”
“You’re absolutely teaching them what they should and should not accept in a relationship, Ellie. Just because it’s their dad doesn’t make the lesson go away. You showed them how to stand up for themselves. You’re doing what’s best for you, which means it’s what’s best for them. A healthy and happy mother matters.” It was such a generic response from her best friend, and Ellie felt the tension in the room. Sloan was hurt, and so was Ellie. They couldn’t just move on like their disagreement had never happened.
Ellie looked at her, frowning, and Sloan felt an insecurity fill her.“What?”
“Bitch, I can’t stand here and play pretend with you. This is awkward, and we’re being all cute and nice when we know it’s an elephant in the room. Let’s just put it on the floor. I’m fucking mad as hell at you, but I love you too much to stay mad. I was wrong, and I’m sorry.”
Sloan sighed, pushing out a breath of relief.“No, girl, I’m sorry. I should have never entertained your brother, Ellie. I knew how you felt, and I did it anyway, and now everything is all awkward and fucked up. It was selfish, and I’m so sorry. You’re my best friend. I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want to change our dynamic, and I don’t want you to think I was using our friendship to get to Cassidy. I wasn’t. It wasn’t like that.”
“The dynamic has changed, though,” Ellie replied.“You’re my friend, Sloan, but I’ve always wanted a sister. My brother is crazy about you, Sloan. I don’t want to stand in the way of the two people I love most in the world loving each other.”
“You’re not the only thing standing in the way,” Sloan admitted.
“I know,” Ellie replied.“But Cassidyisn’t who you think he is. He did his crime, and he paid for it, but it wasn’t a random act of violence. Thisisn’tthe same circumstance that your mom went through. He would never hurt you. He’s not crazy. He’s not going to black out on you one day, Sloan. He’sCass. He’sthe same guy he’s always been to you.”
“How can he be? Killing someone with your bare hands got to change a man,” Sloan whispered.“That’s terrifying, Ellie. Every time I think of it…” Sloan felt the fear creep into her soul, and she shivered.
“I have something for you. I stole them from Cass, but you need to read them,” Ellie stated. She went to the pantry door and disappeared inside. She emerged with a shoebox and placed it on the table. Sloan followed her and took a seat.
