I never knew of her regret and guilt.
“I’m sorry you’ve been carrying this around for so long, Matteo. I wish you would have come to one of us sooner with these questions.”
“I was afraid to bring it up,” I admit, my voice soft. “I was afraid that maybe she never wanted us to find you.”
“I can see how you may have felt like that, but I can assure you it was never that.” He’s quiet again before he says, “I didn’t realize it had affected you this long after it happened.”
“It doesn’t, not really. It just made me question how to trust someone without any reservations,” I say, the emotion thick in my voice. “I should have asked you about it sooner.”
“It’s okay,” he says. “Trust is never an easy thing, regardless of outside forces. Taking a risk can be scary, especially because you never know what could happen.”
My chest tightens. “How do you know a risk is worth taking?”
“You don’t. You have to trust that feeling inside that tells you it’s worth it. You’ll never know for sure unless you do. The rest will fall into place, however it’s meant to.”
I blow out a breath. “You say it like it’s so easy.”
“Because it is. The mind is powerful, but ultimately, you control it. You control your thoughts and what you do with them. You trust yourself on the ice, you can do the same off it too.”
“That’s different,” I argue.
“Is it though?” he questions. “Trust is such a funny thing. Sometimes, it must be built. Sometimes, it has to be earned. And sometimes, you have to take a chance and trust that the right person can hold your heart without breaking it.”
I inhale sharply as his words sink into my mind. “How do you know they’re the right person?”
“You’ll just know, bud,” he says softly and I can hear the smile in his voice. “I have a feeling you might know already.”
My heart stumbles inside my chest.
I have a feeling I might too…
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
JADE
“I should have gone back to my room after that last drink... I should have said no when Julian asked me to come back to his.” - Clara Foss, Painted Inferno
Ellie
Girl, please don’t hate me, but I can’t make it tonight.
I’m behind on so much stuff with work and my boss is making me stay at the office late until it’s all done.
Istare down at Ellie’s two messages, feeling the disappointment and dread mixing together in the pit of my stomach. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter to myself as I look up at my reflection in the mirror.
Matteo sent me tickets for the game tonight. Tickets for the two seats he has for every game. His sisters or family normally take the seats, but tonight was open and he gave them to me after I finished writing my book.
This was a planned night and Ellie was supposed to be my emotional support human.
My lungs deflate with a sigh as I type a response.
Jade
It’s fine, I get it. Your job is definitely more important.
Ellie
I owe you mimosas for life.
