“What’s wrong, son?” Dad frowned, his gaze flicking between the two of them.
“What news?” I asked, not bothering to hide my impatience.
In my head, all those questions collided into one big,WHAT the hell’s going on?
Puffing out a frustrated breath, Shay dragged a hand through his muddy hair then grabbed Ryleigh’s arm. “Inside, now,” he snapped, marching her off without a word to us and ignoring her attempts to avoid waterlogged spots in the ground.
Dad and I shared a look. Mine sudden apprehension and his, concern. “Go take a shower, Angel.” He tipped his chin at the house.
My head buzzing with chaotic questions I wanted answers to, right now, I headed for the shower. What news was she referring to? Why was Shay so mad at her? Did he come home for my graduation or something else. I hoped like hell it was the former, even though I had an inkling it was the latter. It started a circling dread that slowly diminished the brightness Shay’s return brought.
If only peace was a star...
23. How Do I Live Without You – LeAnn Rimes
Skye – 18 years; Shay30 years
After my shower, I came downstairs to the three of them in the living room. Both men had showered, and their expressions ranged from anxiety on Dad’s, annoyance on Shay’s and Ryleigh looked ready to combust from excitement.
“Shay.” Seated across from where I stood at the entrance, Dad glanced at him.
Leaning against the mantelpiece above the fireplace, his thick hair disheveled from running his fingers through it too many times, Shay let out a slow exhale, his shoulders sagging. Then I noticed how he clenched and unclenched his fingers before crossing the room. “Blue,” he began, his voice soft, but it was his eyes that drew my attention. They misted over like he was trying hard not to cry. My mouth opened to ask him what was wrong but him grasping my arms, prevented me from speaking. “I asked Ryleigh to marry me.”
If Shay wasn’t holding onto me, I would’ve sunk into that deep dark pit that suddenly opened under my feet. “Oh,” my tone was high-pitched, my voice shaky. It was the only word I forced out loud because anything more, would’ve let them all know that what I felt for Shay wasn’t exactly that of a disagreeable sister. A mistake I couldn’t afford to make.
My palms were already starting to sweat from holding them in. Since he left, I chose not to pursue something that would only end in heartbreak. I was already halfway into the fire when he was gone, now, I’d burn in hell.
I felt Shay squeeze my arms as if he were begging me to understand. I didn’t.
Taking a step back, released his hold on me. I looked at my father for a second. His anxiety had turned apologetic, and he tried to smile but it fell the second I shook my head. Then I turned and walked, more like raced out the room, out the front door and into my car.
Shay followed a second too late. “Blue,” he called as the engine of my little Ford purred to life. “Wait.”
I didn’t.
Two hours later, I still sat on the hood of my car with my ankles crossed, knees tucked to my chest, my arms embracing them, and my eyes glued to the calm water of the lake at the border our town shared with the mountains. Since leaving home, my phone had buzzed non-stop until it stopped about fifteen minutes ago. I didn’t want to talk to anyone yet.
