Yeah… Sorry, Ledg.
Me:
Not your fault. I need to talk to Ainsley.
Switching over to my text thread with Ainsley, I write out the words I know are going to do damage that I can’t undo.
Me:
I have some bad news… Rumor mill hit Sal’s, and everyone is talking about us.
My phone rings immediately, and I answer it without preamble.
“How did anyone find out?” Her voice is boarding on hysterical.
“I don’t know. Rina just texted me saying Alice and Mabel were talking about us, and it blew up from there. It appears we weren’t always as sneaky as we thought we were.”
“Oh God. My parents?”
I cringe. “Were in Sal’s and heard everything.”
“Shit, my dad’s going to be so upset with me. How did this happen, Ledger? We were being careful!” she borderline yells.
“I don’t know, baby.”
“Don’t call me ‘baby’ right now,” she snaps.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want this to be out of our control.” Nothing I say right now will help, I know that, but this is all coming at the worst possible time. Ainsley is already stressed about talking to her old bosses, and this isn’t something she should have to worryabout.
But deep down in my chest, I’m hurt. Hurt that she still feels the need to hide us, hurt that I don’t seem to be worth the challenges.
I know I’m turning it into more than what it truly is. And I know her reasoning is good and letting our relationship develop outside of the nosey eyes of the entire town was smart. But when does that end?
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. This is just throwing me for a loop I wasn’t prepared for,” she murmurs.
“I know. It’s okay.” I don’t say anymore, letting her have time to process all of this.
“Can I just… I don’t know, head to Austin early? I don’t want to deal with this right now. I just want to go talk to these people, see Larkin, Theo, Gavin, and Maddie, and when I come back, I can deal with all the small-town drama.”
My heart drops. This feels like I’m not worth the trouble, the effort, of dealing with family and friends who are most likely just there to support us.
Instead, I let her go because it’s the only thing I can do.
“Of course. Take all the time you need. Keep me updated on how the meeting goes.” I can hear the despondency in my voice, and logically, I know I’m taking this harder than I should be. But after I’ve decided to restructure my company with her and turn it into something we both can be proud of, this is how she reacts to people who love us finding out about us being together.
But she doesn’t know about the changes in the company.
That may be, but it doesn’t change the gaping wound currently in my chest.
“Ledger…”
“It’s fine, Ainsley. I completely understand. We can talk more when you get back home. Or when youget some time this weekend.”
I don’t wait for her response because I can’t. I can’t hear more excuses as to why letting the world know I’m in love with her is a bad idea.
The server delivers my food, but I have no appetite. “Can I actually get a to-go box and the check?”
“Absolutely.”
