I take another step back. “I’ll be on my way. Nice to see you all. See you in Montana.” I pat Lulu’s back. “Have a good flight, honey.”
I mean to sound chipper and friendly, but my tone is so fake even I almost laugh.
I bang the palm of my hand to my forehead. “When you see me next, I promise I’ll be in better spirits than this. See you!”
I turn and hustle away. I exit the VIP lounge and take off down the wide corridor. I don’t even know what direction I’m going, but I know I can’t look back.
CHAPTERTHREE
Liam
“Don’t fucking say anything,” I growl at Hunter. “I didn’t mean to crush her.”
Hunter puts his hand on my shoulder. “I know you’ve been looking forward to doing this trip on your own. You deserve to enjoy yourself for once.”
“Of course you do,” Winter says. “I didn’t think before I opened my big mouth. I just…” She stops talking.
“You felt bad for her,” I say, finishing her sentence.
Hunter and Winter don’t say anything more.
They don’t have to.
I already feel like shit for the way I pushed Haley off. She just looked so…lost.
And from what little I’ve seen of her, Haley Laine never wants to show her vulnerabilities like that.
I can relate.
Which is maybe why I make the decision that I do.
If there are other reasons, I don’t want to feel them.
I hug Lulu tightly and kiss her. “I love you, baby. I’ll talk to you tonight, okay?”
“Love you, Daddy.”
I hand her over to my brother, who cuddles her against his chest.
“We’ll take good care of her,” he promises me. “I’ll text you before we take off and as soon as we land.”
I tell him and Winter goodbye and then I turn in the direction Haley went.
* * *
Haley
Don’t look back, don’t look back.
I keep my head up and spine straight as I hustle down the corridor.
If I can just make it far enough, I can relax.
The corridor is so freaking long, and I’m still making my way along when my purse falls off my suitcase. I squat down to pick it up, and I’ve just stood up again when I hear…
“Hey.”
I turn my head.
