His fingers ghost across my throat before his back is turned and he’s hauling on his jeans. I watch in disbelief, my mind racing.
I thought this was just a fuck up on his part. A moment I’d look back on in ten years and wonder if it was just my imagination playing tricks on me. I never expected anything else from this man. He might not be the polished version of himself I once knew, but his life’s still in order. Mine’s a mess. I don’t know what I’m doing with it. Shit, there are days I barely remember to feed myself when life gets too busy.
“Why? How could you want to be with me? I’m a mess, and you don’t even know the half of it.”
His shoulders stiffen, and his head shakes.
See, I wasn’t wrong. He gets it now.
Before I can lay the rest of my concerns at his feet, he’s on me. His strong arm wrapped tight around my waist, my heaving chest pushed firmly against his hard one. He doesn’t demand it, but my eyes lock with his because he’s just that damn enthralling.
“Why?” He returns my question. “How could you want to be with me, Ava? An old man set in his ways, ready to disconnect from the grind of the corporate world. It’s selfish of me. I fucking know it, but I don’t seem to care enough to let you go, either.”
We both know this is a terrible idea that makes no sense on paper. But he’s right, I don’t care.
“This is going to be messy.”
“We’ll get through it.”
“He may never forgive you.”
“Maybe not, but you’re worth the loss.”
Every new statement out of his mouth makes it harder to argue. It only solidifies the plan slotting into place in my head.
“Let me get dressed. My bags are already packed.”
“You should stay. Enjoy the?—”
I cut him off before he can finish, “I’m not staying here after that. And last I checked, you owe me,” I add with a wicked grin.
In a flash, the blanket’s ripped from my body, and goosebumps erupt across my skin. His hand comes down hard and fast against my ass.
“Get dressed, you little minx, before he comes back in here to kill me for the sounds coming out of this room.”
My laughter falls free, and Scott lets go of my body, movingto put his boots on. I dress in record speed, finding our bags in the hall where I’d left them abandoned.
Yesterday plays over in my mind like a sick movie I never want to watch again. The blur of things I never thought I’d be able to do and don’t know how I’ll get over, sits like a stone in my stomach.
Scott’s rough voice whispers in my ear, “You ready for this?”
I give his reassuring hand a quick squeeze in answer as we step out of the hall. All eyes swing in our direction at the sound of our footsteps.
“We’re leaving,” I announce, meeting my father’s heated gaze, hoping another altercation isn’t on the brink of breaking out.
He shifts, turning his back to us, gaze disappearing out the kitchen window. He’s ramrod straight, ears tinged red. He’s still fuming, refusing to acknowledge me. This might not just be the end of their friendship; it might be the end of our relationship, too.
Is that really what I want?
My mom’s sniffles shatter the stilted silence. Scott moves slowly, taking my bag from me and dropping a quick kiss to my temple as her body shifts closer to us.
“I’ll be outside,” he whispers, calming the storm of emotion raging in my chest.
Her arms wrap tight around my shoulders, pulling me in close. This used to be my safe space, the place where nothing could go wrong. Now, I don’t know if I’ll ever feel that way again.
“I love you. He’s hurt and scared. Let him calm down, and then we can talk.”
I cling to the woman who’s always made my day betterand feel the heavy weight of tears on my lash line. “Thanks, Mom. I love you too.” I sniffle. “I didn’t mean for this to happen, but he’s…” I don’t know how to finish that thought when I’m still wrapping my head around it myself, so I don’t.
