The worst part was that he’d lost his little leather sketchbook in the ordeal.
It wasn’t his plans for the charity benefit and sketches that he mourned.
It was that he’d lost his portrait ofAudrey.
The only good thing he’d made since the accident.
The only piece of her he’d been able to keep, just for himself.
The tiny bit of light he’d found had slipped through his trembling fingers.
Diego found him sobbing in the middle of the living room floor that evening, his house torn apart around him, papers strewn everywhere, storage boxes overturned and emptied, clothes ripped out of his dresser and flung about carelessly. All hopes of having mislaid his sketchbook somewhere at home were gone.
It had to have fallen out of his pocket, maybe even at the coffeehouse.
He’d been keeping it close to his chest.
He couldn’t go back for it now.
Yes, you can.
Get your ass back there, kid.
Go get her.
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can, Teddy.” Diego knelt on the ground and grabbed his shoulders. “Just go back and ask if they have it, for god’s sake.”
“Audrey saw my face, Diego.Mygoddamn face.” He’d just had his final scar revision surgery last week, and with it, new stitches, new pain, new pulling and tugging and wrenching and aching, all of it a fresh reminder of what he was. It was still raw, and the salt of his tears burned as they rolled along it.
“So what? You said she was nice! If she really is, I don’t think she’d care! No one who cares about you gives a flying fuck about a stupid scar!”
“I’m not going back. I can’t go back. I can’t face her again. Not like this. Not now.” He dove within himself, covering his head with his arms as he collapsed into his lap, sucking for air while he sobbed. It felt like fingers had wrapped around his throat. He couldn’t breathe. The thought of going back and facing Audrey now was too much to bear.
Nothing Diego said could change his mind.
It was over.
Well.
That’s disappointing.
Of course it was.
That’s what he was: a disappointment.
You’re the shame of the Redmond legacy.
The biggest disappointment this family has seen in generations.
His father’s voice in his head faded.
The little sliver of peace he’d stumbled upon was gone.
And something inside him died all over again.
In the end,Audrey foundhim.
