“I know you will.”
I lower my head to look down at the bottle again, and I hate how tight my chest feels. How empty my soul is once again. I’m just meant to live a life of deceit. But I don’t have to continue doing that to Taylor. I can make a change and the change is gonna start with her. And I know just what to do.
TAYLOR
When I wake, it’s dark, and for a second, I forget where I am. But his smell hits my nose and I remember I’m in his bed.
“Hey.”
I give Savannah a half smile as I see her lying next to me. She came in here earlier to talk to me. She apologized for what Blane had done more times than I can count. She swore she had no idea what was happening or what Blane had been doing and I believed her. She didn’t even have to explain all that; I knew she was as in the dark as I was.
“Still mad at him?” I ask.
She nods. “I plan on being mad at him for a long time,” she says matter-of-factly, and I give her a small smile. At least, she knows when she finally forgives him that he will still be there.
Case won’t be there for me. He already told me. He may have feelings for me, but he doesn’t plan to act on them.
“What time is it?” I ask stretching. I’m still tired, but I can’t sleep all day and night. My schedule is already fucked up.
“Eight forty-three.”
Great! It just got dark outside. I slept the entire day away. I get out of bed and make my way into the kitchen wanting to see if he has coffee or a water.
I find my brother sitting at the kitchen table. “I was wondering how long you were going to sleep,” he says to me.
“As long as I want,” I reply flatly.
He spins around in his seat to face me. “Taylor. Please don’t be mad at me too. I had no choice.”
“You always have a choice. You just chose to lie to us,” Savannah snaps walking in behind me.
“What was I supposed to do? I needed his help. I never expected you guys to get involved in it.” He looks at me with narrowed eyes. “Or for you to sleep with the man. I mean, of all the women I have ever known, you’re not the type to jump into bed with anyone.”
I take a deep breath and grip the coffee mug tightly; I really wanna throw it at his face. “You think I planned this? You think I wanted to get hurt?” I snap.
“Get hurt?” he asks confused. “You can’t blame me for getting hurt. You’re the one who got too close to him.”
“Too close? I fucking love him, Blane.” His eyes widen. “I have been seeing him for over a month.” They narrow at that. “You think you were the only one keeping a secret? Well, we had one of our own. And I blame that on you,” I shout.
I look away from him to search the house. Where is Case? Did he hear that? Oh God, I hope he’s still asleep somewhere. I don’t want him to find out I love him by me screaming it at my brother.
“He’s not here,” my brother says softly.
I look back at him. He looks at me with soft eyes. “Where is he?”
“He slept for a few hours and then left earlier today. He went up to the hospital to spend time with Brecken.”
I sigh in relief. “That would have sucked if he had heard that,” I say out loud, but I’m mainly talking to myself.
“Taylor.” My brother stands from the table. “He’s not coming back.”
I feel my chest tighten. “What do you mean?” I ask slowly.
He runs a hand through his dark hair. “I spoke to him this morning. Once you girls fell asleep, he went into his room and quietly packed a bag. He is gonna get a hotel in town. He’s not coming back here because he thinks you don’t want him around. You told him you hated him.” He looks over at Savannah and then back at me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t understand he meant so much to you. When I saw you at his office this morning, I just thought it was something sexual and I got pissed.”
“But …” I start to panic. “He said he brought us here to keep us safe. How will he keep me safe if he’s not here?” I ask quickly.
“He said that no one knows about his house. No one knows how to find you. That he doesn’t need to be here in order to keep you safe.”
