She sighs, her face softening, “Where did he go?”
“I guess to his brothers,” I say, “I didn’t mean it. I let my fear control me. I don’t want him to go.”
More tears fall down my cheeks, the saltiness sitting on my tongue, “And now I’m scared I’ve pushed him away and he won’t want to return. Who will want to come back to someone who can’t just talk like a normal person!?”
“You’re overthinking again,” Imogen points out quietly. “Take a breath.”
“What do I do?” I cry.
“Did you outright say for him to leave?”
“Well no.”
“Then he’ll be back.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Because I saw the way that man looked at you, Ness,” She touches my shoulder, “And it reminded me of when I first met Shawn. He loves you and all your ups and downs.”
“Until I throw a fit in the middle of the kitchen when he suggests I go back to college.”
Immy cringes. “It’s not as bad as you think, I’m sure.”
But it is as bad as I think. Because I fucked up.
I fucked up and I don’t know how to fix it.
“Maybe go to Torin’s. Find him and talk to him. It’s only been a couple hours. But you need to really talk and not just fuck, Ness. Sex is great and all, but it doesn’t solve all your problems.”
“You’re right,” I agree, staring down at my hands, “I’ll go.”
“Want me to keep Ethan?” She asks. “Just while you go talk?”
“Yeah, please,” I say to my sister, “I’d appreciate that.”
Chapter Forty
“You look like shit,” Rett comments when he answers the door.
I’d tried to walk in, but it was locked and it felt wrong to break into my own brothers house.
“Don’t make me hurt you, Everett.” I grunt, not in the mood for his shit.
“Someone is feeling spicy,” He chuckles, pushing the door open to let me inside while he steps aside, “In the doghouse already?”
“This close,” I hold my thumb and finger close together, “This close to breaking your pretty nose.”
“Aw,” He taunts, “You think I’m pretty?”
Rolling my eyes, I trudge through the house, not even noticing the warmth of the place when I feel so cold. She asked me toleave, to give her space and I can’t figure out what I’ve done wrong.
I am trying. Trying so hard to show her how committed I am, but it’s useless. The damage I caused is permanent, a stain on a white cloth and I don’t know how to fix it.
I grab a coffee from the kitchen and take a seat at the island bar, the house quiet around me until I hear the sound of little feet on the stairs. Harper bursts around the corner a second later, still in her pajamas, hair mused from sleep.
“Uncle Kolt!” She exclaims with a grin.
“Good morning, Harper,” I greet her.
