Jax: Earlier. Noon maybe.
Where the hell is he?
I go back into our text messages, and freeze.
The three little dots are hopping along the screen.
Wyatt: I'll be home soon. Can you meet me at the guesthouse?
I take a shaky breath. Several minutes pass before I reply.
Me: Okay.
Wyatt: Sorry you were worried.
Me: Where were you?
Wyatt: Nowhere good. We'll talk when I get back.
I jerk my head backward. Nausea hits me just like it used to when Wyatt would go out with Jagger and leave me home.
Tears well, hot and useless, blurring my vision. I blink hard, refusing to let them fall.
I can't do this again.
Why did he have to come back?
My phone pings again. My breath catches, but it's just a low battery warning. I bite back a sob. I've never felt more foolish.
Wyatt will never change. I was stupid to think he was at Jax's all this time.
What did he mean when he said he was nowhere good?
Lights beam into the window. A truck engine dies, and not long after, a door slams.
My shoulders droop. I stand, knowing there's only one truth left.
I can't do this anymore. Wyatt's the same boy he's always been.
I've ridden on his merry-go-round. The only place it goes is around in circles.
And it's time I got off for good.
26
Wyatt
My breath turns to vapor in the midnight air. Acid creeps up my esophagus, brutally burning. I sit in my truck with my hand on the door.
Through the semi-frosted glass of the cabin window, I see Willow standing there with a sad expression. Even with the distance and darkness, I see it.
Don't be a coward.
I shove the door open. The hinges screech loudly, mocking me. My legs feel like lead as I force myself out and limp across the crunchy lawn.
Willow pins her gaze on mine, hers blazing with fierceness.
My steps stutter at that look. I've always hated disappointing her. I know I screwed up again tonight, but I had to make a decision. I wish I could hide it from her, but just like I was donehiding our relationship from the Cartwrights, I can't pretend tonight didn't happen.
