No, I know I don’t.
“He told me he loved me,” I murmur into my wineglass.
Larkin’s eyes widen with shock. “And how did you react?”
“I didn’t. And then shortly after, I got the call for the meeting and decided coming here would be the best way to clear my head.”
She bursts out laughing.
“Yeah, I see the error in my ways, thanks,” I droll.
Her laughter dies down, and she gets serious. “Do you love him?”
I don’t immediately answer her because I haven’t had time to really think about it.
The first thought that pops into my head is absolutely yes, I love Ledger. But I also don’t want Larkin to be the first one to hear that. If this conversation has taught me anything, it’s that Ledger and I shouldbe a team, and that starts with me talking to him about things like this first.
She smirks and tilts her head before taking her last sip.
“Good to know,” she says after she puts her wineglass down.
I don’t dignify her all seeing-ness with a response. Instead, I get up, give her a hug, and head to the guest room where I’m staying. My phone pings again with a text from my dad, and I continue to ignore him.
I have a lot of things I want to talk to Ledger about, but a good night’s sleep before this meeting is necessary. I’ll call him after my meeting and hope that he’s willing to hear me out for all my foolishness. Then, I can deal with my dad and the gossip mill.
Chapter 35
Ledger
My pity party lasted all of an hour. Sitting on my couch in the silence of my house made me realize I don’t want to be alone.
I just want Ainsley.
So, I did something I’m not proud of. I semi-broke into her house so I could get information.
I didn’t really break in; I used the spare key she keeps hidden under a rock by the back door, but desperate times.
This was always going to be a long shot, but when I turn on her game system and see Gavin’s screen name on, I don’t hesitate to pull on the headphones and contact him.
“Who is this?” he asks hesitantly, and internally, I praise his caution because Ainsley is currently at his house.
“It’s Ledger.”
“Prove it.” I smile at the caution in his voice.
“The last time we played together, you won four out of five rounds, and the only reason I won the last round was because your mom was talking to you and I took advantage of your distraction. A dirty move on my part but worth it.” I chuckle.
“Why are you using Aunt Anis’s login?”
“Because I technically snuck into her house, hoping I would catch you online.” I’m not lying to him. He may be just thirteen, but he knows when I’m bullshitting him.
“Snuck in… I don’t really like that, but I have a feeling you have a good reason for doing it.”
“You would be right.”
“So, what’s the reason?” he says simply and starts playing a round of the game he absolutely kicked my ass in.
“I needed to see if I could get your address so that I can come and see Ainsley. We… we had a fight, and I don’t want to leave things as they are.” More information than he needs to know? Possibly, but I also need to tell him the truth or he won’t let me within a mile of Ainsley. I love his protectiveness of her.
