“Yes!” he shouts. “Because you’re acting like we won’t work through this and be back to normal once things settle down.”
“Because I don’tknowthat, West! I don’t know that we’ll just bounce back from this, and neither do you.”
The room falls quiet, and it’s like my words hang heavy in the air for the next few seconds, rendering us both completely silent.
Shit, I told myself I wasn’t going to cry again, but here I am, fighting a flood as one tear cascades down my cheek.
I want to say something to smooth over the harsh reality that just flowed out of me, but I don’t have it in me. I’m all out offlowery optimism and hope. All I have left is a prayer that we’re not already too far gone to get back to being us again.
West moves, and my gaze is drawn to him, watching as he runs a hand down his face in frustration, maybe feeling fresh out of answers like I do. He lets out a breath and steps away from the wall, and I’m frozen in place anticipating what he’ll say, but to my surprise, he says nothing.
Instead, he turns his back toward me without a single word, then he just… leaves.
My gaze is fixed on that closed door long after he’s gone, and I’m not sure what hurts worse.
That I’m even more convinced now that we may be broken beyond repair, or that… I’m now pretty sure West is finally starting to see it, too.
*
@QweenPandora:
Our wounded king was spotted outside our beloved queen’s new digs, #PrisonBae’s bachelor pad. I think we’re all assuming these living arrangements are temporary while the not-so-happy couple work things out, but… is it really?
We’re all aware of the ups and downs between these two, so is it possible their latest drama marks the end of an era?
Guess we’ll all have to stay tuned and find out.
Later, peeps :)
—P
Chapter Seventeen
West
Mike’s car is in the driveway, but it’s late. He probably worked tonight, which should be reason enough to turn around and take my ass home, but I’m desperate.
I drove around for hours before this, trying to stop myself from dropping in unannounced, but I couldn’t fight it. Like something inside me knew this was where I needed to be.
There’s a light on in the living room, but that doesn’t mean anything. Still, I climb out of the car and take a chance, hanging on to my sanity by a thread.
With every step toward the house, Blue’s all I can think about. I left Hunter’s five hours ago and still haven’t forgiven myself. As far as apologies go, I fucked that one up royally. My goal was to give Blue a chance to vent, a chance to be heard, but I only made things worse.
Which I didn’t even think was possible.
I stop at the porch and shame nearly brings me to my knees. I can’t believe my dumb ass made it into something physical.
Cursing my own fucking stupidity, I knock and wait, considering backtracking to my truck to deal with this shit on my own. But before I can make a clear choice, the door swings open. At first, Mike’s wearing a smile, but then the look fades as he seems to realize I’m not okay.
He pushes the storm door open wide. “Come in, son.”
I step inside without a word, and he hits mute on the TV remote as I take a seat. He settles on the opposite end of the sofa, and I feel him staring. I can’t speak, though. Mostly because I don’t even know where to start.
“I’d ask how you’re doing, but that look on your face speaks volumes,” he says.
Everything Blue and I have been through these past few months flashes through my head, and it knocks the wind out of me. That woman is my whole fucking world, but it’s like it’s gotten harder and harder to show her that. How can the one person in the world I can’t live without be so hard to hold on to?
“I fucked up,” I force out.
