She stepped into the entryway next to her still-stunned mother, eyes widening.
‘Oliver Blake?’ she asked in a hushed tone.
I jerked my head. ‘I’m looking for your daughter. Is she here?’ I asked for the third time. The thin tether of my composure, ready to snap. When neither of the women looked like they were capable of giving me any useful information, I was seconds away from barging past them to start searching the house for her myself. My reckless idea was squashed when a lanky man came into view, wearing round glasses, his brown hair flopping down his forehead.
He cast a disapproving eye over the two women before finally answering my question. ‘She left about ten minutes ago. She didn’t get into an Uber, but I saw her head down the street. I’m not sure where she went.’ His head dipped in a slow nod. ‘She was upset.’ He added in an undertone.
The two women in front of me arched their posture defensively, banding together in a show of silent support. My hands balled into fists. I wasn’t sure what had happened here, but they had hurt her. That’s all I needed to know.
‘Stay the fuck away from her,’ I said through clenched teeth. I had no right to say that to them. They were herfamily—for whatever that meant. But everything around me blurred; the only coherent thought in my head was that somewhere out there, Fallon was walking around in pain, and she was alone.
I spun on my heel and jogged back to my car. My tires squealed as I swung out of the driveway. If she was walking, she couldn’t have gone far. But she might have called an Uber once she was away from the house. I slowed the car, eyes scanning every alleyway and person on the street.
As I approached the junction at the end of the road, I spotted a park with tall trees towering over a small pond. And there, sitting on a park bench, staring out at the water, was Fallon.
I braked suddenly, getting several honks from a car behind me. I gave them the finger, left my car in the middle of the street and took off towards her. My heart thrashed against my chest with every step I took.
The commotion of the car horns caused her attention to move from the pond. When she spotted me, running full pelt towards her, she blanched. All the air squeezed from my lungs when I took in her tear-stained face. I came to an abrupt stop in front of her.
‘O-Oliver?’ She swiped a hand over her cheeks. Her chestnut brown eyes glistened with fresh tears and my hands itched to pull her close, but there was something that I needed to say before I could. If she’d even let me, anymore.
‘I’m sorry.’ I panted, putting my hands on my hips to catch my breath.
Fallon shifted on the wooden bench, her eyes darting up and down my body like she couldn’t believe I was standing in front of her. She opened her mouth to say something, but I started talking, needing to get it all out. ‘I’m a fucking idiot. I should have let you explain before immediately thinking the worst. I don’t even knowhowI thought you were capable of that… you’re one of the most honest people I’ve ever met. I just got scared, and the whole thing with Ashley fucked me up more than I think I realised. But that’s no excuse-‘
‘Oliver-’ She tried to cut in. But I was on a roll.
‘I heard the story was being leaked, and it was like I was watching history repeat itself right before my eyes. I didn’t even think; I just acted, and then I said all those things to you, and I hate myself for saying them, baby. If you never want to speak to me again, you’d have every reason not to,but I’m warning you right now: I’m not giving up. I’m not letting you go-’
‘Oliver.’ Fallon raised her voice, standing up so she was right in front of me. Lord, she was so pretty. Even with bloodshot eyes and smudged makeup, she was stunning. My chest ached looking at her. She shook her head—as if all the words that tumbled past my lips were bouncing around her head, and she couldn’t quite make sense of it all.
‘Stop apologising. You were right to be angry.’ Her gaze dropped to the floor. I couldn’t stand the distance for another moment. I stepped closer, tilting her chin up so I could see into those beautiful eyes. ‘But not atyou.My anger should never have been at you.’
Her lower lip wobbled. ‘But it wasmysister. She was the one who did it.Ileft her alone in my flat.I’mthe one who never password protects their laptop. So it is my fault. Youshouldblame me.’ Her dark eyes pleaded with mine. Begged me to do something I knew I’d never be capable of.
‘No,’ I said simply. A smile pulled at my lips. I stroked my thumb along her cheek as I threaded my fingers into her hair. Her eyes fluttered closed at the movement before they snapped open as if she was refusing to let herself sink into my touch.
‘W-w-hat do you mean, no?’
I lifted my shoulders in a shrug. ‘I mean no. I’m not blaming you because it’s not your fault.’
‘Itis.’She insisted. ‘You should be mad at me.’
‘It’s not, and I’m not.’
A flash of annoyance crossed her face, which only made my smile grow.
‘Why?’ she demanded.
I squeezed the back of her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. ‘Because I love you.’
Her eyes almost bugged out of her head. She was stunnedinto silence for a few seconds before she shook herself and blurted, ‘No, you don’t.’
‘Yes. I do,’ I said firmly.
‘You can’t.’
‘Stop telling me what I feel. I’m in fucking love with you.’
