“And hardly worth it,” she huffs.
This is the stuff I can’t deal with. The spoilt child act really grates after a while. “You know why I have to go, Chelsea. This shouldn’t be a shock.”
She draws her legs up to her body and hugs them to her chest. “Oh, yeah. That guy. The one that died while he was out running.”
“Don’t say it like that.”
She shrugs. “Like what? I’m just stating a fact.”
“Yeah, and you’re cold as fuck. He wasn’t just anybody. He was a great guy.”
“I didn’t know him.” She huffs, flopping back against the headboard.
I stop what I’m doing, fully aware my stare in her direction is ice cold. “You met him at Ash and Cal’s wedding.”
“Did I?”
I feel sick to my stomach when Chelsea talks about him like he’s a nobody. How fucking disrespectful. In response, Ican do one of two things. Lose it or let it go. The second option is better, and as I throw clothes into a sports bag, I keep quiet and hope she gets the message.
Her sigh is loud; she wants to be heard.
“Have I done something wrong?” she asks.
I ignore the question and scoot around the bedroom, gathering up clothes. I’m biding my time so I can decide how to soften the blow. She might be an insensitive pain in my arse, but I don’t want to be cruel.
Her eyes follow me around until I stop to pack a towel and toiletries. “What?” I ask, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Your silence doesn’t cut it with me, so I suggest you say what’s really on your mind.”
This is it. It’s now or never.
I take a seat beside her on the bed. “We've had a blast. Some great times, but this is where our story ends.”
She blinks repeatedly. “Wait, what the hell does that mean?”
I grasp her hand, brushing my thumb across her knuckles. “Ash needs me. He needs all his brothers, and I don’t have time for anything else right now. I can't be the man you want or need, so it’s only fair to let you go.”
“You’re breaking up with me?”
“I’m sorry.” I wonder if I am. All I feel inside is a sense of relief that I’ve finally told her we’re over.
Chelsea glances down at our entwined hands. “What if I don’t want that?”
“You'll thank me one day. My priority is family, and you need a man who puts you first. That isn’t me, Chelsea. I’m not the guy for you.”
“They’re not your family, Tommy. They’re just your bandmates, for Christ’s sake.”
And this is another reason we won’t work. She doesn’tget it. “If you knew me at all, you’d know exactly what they mean to me.”
“Are you lying? Is there another woman in your life?” A knock on the door comes at the perfect time, but her questions don’t stop. “Well? I need to know.”
“There’s no one else. I promise.”
“Why should I believe you?” Her defiant eyes glare into mine, and when I attempt to leave the room, her hand slaps flat against my chest. “You’re lying to me,” she says through gritted teeth. I’m not, but maybe it’s better this way.
A few intense seconds go by. Her eyes catch mine, but I don’t give her the satisfaction of turning away. I glare right back until the knocking starts again. “I should get that.”
She huffs loudly, wraps a silk dressing gown around her body, and beats me to it by charging down the hallway. “Don’t bother yourself. I'll answer it,” she calls sarcastically over her shoulder. I don't blame her for being angry. I was nice enough when I wanted to get in her pants. Now I’m telling her it’s over. I’m not proud of myself for treating her this way.
