“Just go on,” I tell him.
“This conversation isn’t over.”
Tears sting my eyes again. “I think it is.”
He throws his hands up and growls into the air.
I can feel his frustration rippling through the room. I want to tell him we’ll talk about this later.
But we won’t. Because there’s nothing left to be said.
Even if there was, I wouldn’t begin to share it with him now.
“It’s fine,” I tell him, my voice softer. “And if it makes you feel any better, I don’t think you ever lied to me. I just … hoped.”
His body stills in the doorway. He worries his bottom lip between his teeth as he watches me with an expression I can’t name.
“I’m sorry, Blaire. Just … tell me you’ll be here when I get back.Please.”
He backs away slowly. My heart breaks as I accept his final answer. Whether he wants to admit it or not, this is over.
Maybe it never started.
I’ve never felt smaller. I’ve never felt as vulnerable and raw as I do standing in front of this man.
It won’t happen again.
“Please be here when I get back,” he repeats.
I know he needs to go, and that his decision has already been made, so I nod.
I only hold back the tears long enough for the door to close behind him.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Holt
Every muscle in my whole fucking body hurts.
I loosen my tie as I speed too fast down Cobblestone Way.
Blaire hasn’t answered my calls or texts all day. It’s unusual for her, and despite knowing that she’s pissed at me—rightfully so—I’m surprised.I almost sent Larissa to my house to make sure she didn’t leave, but I don’t really think she would’ve.
She said she loves me. She couldn’t leave after that.Could she?
I shiver as a chill blasts through my body.
I step harder on the gas pedal.
I’d hoped some time apart could give us some space to figure this shit out. How it got so convoluted, I’ll never know.
That’s what I tell myself, anyway.
It got convoluted the moment I saw her.
I slow down for a man on a bike. He gives me a wave, and I wave back. He seems so carefree as he pedals down our street and enjoys the evening sun, and it pisses a part of me off.
Why does he get to enjoy his night when I don’t?
