“Sure.” I nod, turning towards the door.
His hand hovers over the small of my back, my skin tingling. I will for him to dust his fingertips along my back, eve gently, just to remember what his touch feels like. But I know that’s not a good idea.
We need this space. Things could have got messy really quick.
My phone pings in my bag, pulling me from my thoughts. Slipping it out as I step into the hallway, I smile when I see Edel’s name sitting on the screen. Clicking her message, my heart pitter patters in my chest.
Fly in tomorrow morning, okay to pick me up? Xo
I am so glad she will finally be here.
Yup, no problem. Send me your flight details and I will get Nora to sort out a car. Xo
“All okay?” Royce asks as we make our way to the lift from the penthouse apartment we’re staying in.
“Yeah, fine. Edel lands tomorrow morning, so she just wanted to ask if I would collect her.”
“I’ll drive you.”
I blink at him. “But you have briefing tomorrow, and gym, and everything else…”
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it.” His smile is small, and he looks unhappy.
I don’t reply, just step into the lift as we ride in silence. “Is everything okay?” I find myself asking him as we walk into the apartment lobby.
“Yeah, just a bit nervous for race weekend,” he admits.
I give a knowing nod as if I understand what he is going through. Stepping into the warm evening, Royce slips his hand through mine as we walk slowly towards the marina.
“Are you still okay with this fake relationship thing?” I ask, my voice cautious.
I hear a heavy sigh as we slow down, and he turns to face me. “I think we need to maybe pull away.” His eyes drop to the floor.
I feel the burning lump that works its way up, lodging itself into my throat. “Oh,” is all I can manage, the air being sucked out of my lungs.
I inhale quickly, trying to drag in as much oxygen as I can. I have no idea why this is hurting me as much as it is. My stomach rolls, and my heart weeps inside my chest.
“I really need to get my head down and you’re becoming a beautiful distraction, one I don’t want to stop being obsessed with. You’re in my head constantly, from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep… I can’t even escape you in my dreams because you’re in every single one.”
A nervous laugh catches at the back of my throat, and I hate that this feels like a real break up.
“We will still be together most of the time, but just not together, if that makes sense?”
I nod, ignoring the tears that tease at the back of my eyes.
“Don’t hate me, kid.”
I scoff. “How can I hate you?” I ask him, my eyes burning into his just as his large hand cups my cheek, brushing his thumb against my skin. “None of this was real, it was just an act…” I trail off. “Fake.” Just saying the word has acid burning my windpipe.
“Some of it was fake, yes…” he admits, “but you can’t tell me there were times when this didn’t feel fake between us, that this feltreal.”
His words catch me off guard, my breath hitches as I let the words sink in.
“And that’s why you’re calling it off.” It all makes so much sense now. “Because this got too real for Royce Lexington.” I push his hand from my cheek.
“Babe.” The word falls from his tongue, his eyes widening at the realisation.
“Do you know what,” I mutter, “I’ve lost my appetite.” I step back, shaking my head in disappointment as I turn and walk away.
