Sitting down, I took off my shoes, sinking my feet into the soft carpet. Gunner did have only the best of everything. The need to wash all the regret off me was too big to ignore. “I’m going to take a shower.”
Freya dropped down on the bed, scooting up to lean against the headboard. “I’ll wait.”
She turned the TV on, and I went into the bathroom, leaving the door open. After turning on the water, I took my underwear and bra off. Sweet relief.
“You don’t have to stay here. I’m fine on my own,” I called, then stepped in the shower.
“And I’m fine on your bed,” she called back loud enough so I could hear her over the water.
“Go back to Gunner. I’m about to pass out anyway.”
“Shut up. I’m staying.”
There was a myriad of expensive-looking bottles in the shower, and after smelling every single one, I lathered myself up with soap, then washed my hair.
My face twitched with the need to hold back tears. Not even the subtle scent of the shampoo could take my mind off my situation.
Giving up the fight, I sank onto the tiles, letting go of the tears I’d been holding on to so desperately. I hated being in this position. I was strong. I didn’t let much get to me. But not only had Liam torn down all my walls, he’d set off a bomb, leaving my insides shattered, the broken pieces not fitting together anymore.
“You still alive in there?” Freya called, startling me. “Not that I don’t love a long shower myself, but it’s been thirty minutes.”
Pulling myself back up, I turned the water off. “I’m good. Coming out now.”
Drying off, then wrapping the towel around myself, I stood up straight.
Get your shit together, Quinn. You’re being ridiculous. He’s only one man. There’ll be plenty of others.
But there’s only one Liam, my traitorous heart chimed in.
Freya was under the blankets when I came back to the bedroom. Pulling on a spare pair of her pajamas, I crawled into bed next to her. “I’m okay. Go be with Gunner.”
Turning to me, she took my hand. “But I want to be here with you. You’re my best friend, and you’re hurting. Stop telling me to leave, because I won’t.”
Biting my bottom lip hard enough for the pain to stop the impending tears, I nodded against the wet pillow that was now soaked from my hair. But I was too drunk and heartbroken to do anything about it.
“Thanks, Freya.”
“The hardest part of a broken heart is getting back up again.” She shuffled closer. “But you’re the strongest person I know. And you’ll dust yourself off and leave my idiot brother in your rearview mirror.”
Not sure I’d ever leave him behind entirely. He still held a piece of me that I didn’t think I’d ever get back. I needed to switch off for a while to get my head back together.
After setting my alarm to go off in a few hours so I could catch my flight, I settled into the pillows, hoping my mind would stop long enough for me to fall asleep.
We passed out a few minutes later, our hands still clasped.
18
LIAM
The room was already packed,my family the last to arrive. But it was our party, so we could come at whatever time we pleased. As soon as we walked in, whispers started, then clapping.
They didn’t know what was about to happen. I grinned, wondering if anyone would dare speak up.
Dad pasted his business smile on his face and immediately did the rounds.
Jude disappeared in search of trouble, leaving only Gabriel by my side. He usually followed our little brother’s example at events such as these, but not tonight. He’d have to get used to a new reality. One where he couldn’t disappear into the coat closet. Or bathroom. Or stairway.
“I fucking hate you for this,” Gabriel hissed, fidgeting with his cuffs. I knew he never wanted to be the boss. But I also knew he’d be good at it. And now it was time for him to show me how much.
