“I’m sorry my decision is going to cause issues. I will meet with your parents to discuss the situation. After today’s events, I have a right mind to ban anyone in your family from stepping even one foot on my property.”
I release a loud, obvious sigh of relief. Which I know she hears because I get one of her hums in return.
“I will let you go.”
“Thank you.”
“And, dear, I noticed you’ve not booked one of our heat suites.”
I don’t know what to say, so I don’t say anything at all.
“I’m not about to talk you out of your decision, Simona, you’ve made it for reasons which only you know. Incidentally, I don’t believe our heat suites are entirely adequate either. If you feel safe, you go to a place where you do. If that is a person or persons, Simona, I want you to know I have faith in your decision making.”
I make an ungodly rasping noise, but it’s that or hysterical sobbing.
“One thing though, I’m still not entirely comfortable knowing you’re thinking of leaving the safety of Unity while he’s probably lurking around somewhere.”
“I have guards. They will be with me wherever I go.”
She makes a little harumph that’s full of ‘told you so’. “Good. Now you just proved a point without actually realising. You’re thinking ahead and protecting yourself. I’ll see you on your return and we can speak some more about those friends of mine that I’d like you to meet.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course.” After a hurried goodbye, she hangs up.
There’s probably no other way to describe how I feel butto say I am shocked. Frustrated too because of Brody’s actions. He’s a complete psychopath, and not in the dark romance kind of way.
I need a shower and a cry before anything else.
I make it to my bedroom door, when Tristan bursts into the room, bringing her usual energy and exuberance although it’s dappled in her residual stress making her a little frenetic.
But it is Tristan, and she looks like the highly successful model she is. I must look like a freak, if I look as crazy as I feel.
You look like shit, what’s wrong? Tristan uses her eyes instead of her words.
Falling apart. Not sure if I’m up or down. Drowning probably. You? Before I talk, “Are you okay?”
Her lips slightly open, her blue eyes shimmering in her own meltdown.Me? No. I am far from okay. We’re all having a shit day, I think. I hope so. I mean, if this is how things are going to be, I’m done.She smiles softly when she speaks. “Yeah.”Need me to go away or hug?
“I’m so glad, Tristan. I might just dip into the shower real quick and freshen up.”
I spin away, impressed we had a chat and offloaded without actually saying too much. It makes me feel better, but like Heidi before, I’m at the point of no return and my vision gets watery.
“Are you up for a glass of wine?” I tease on my escape back to my room, shutting my door behind me.
I hear her talking still, she’s walking towards me. I fling open my bathroom door, scaring her. “Go. Leave me alone for a second. I need to think, and I can’t do that with you hovering.”
“Me hovering?” She gasps dramatically.
And we both have a wildly manic giggle before it falls away. And before it gets serious, I give her something to doas a means to distract her and to give us both some distance. “One glass of red wine, with ice, and if you can throw some corn chips in the oven, I’ll…”
Tristan cuts me off with a tender touch. “Go, Sim. Have a cry in the shower then come avoid talking about sad shit with me.”
I adore you, Tris. I slam the door on her so she doesn’t have to see the tears wetting my cheeks.
The shower is good, so is the call I get from Ryder. “Hey, are you doing okay?”
“Yes and no. Brody was here. One of the mothers covered for me, but that’s not a great outcome at all.”
