We made it to Kansas City before Ryan spoke again. I sat stoically in the driver’s seat as I followed the GPS, then switched to paying attention to the signs as we neared Kansas City International Airport.
“Do you need to stop or something?” he asked, glancing at the gas gauge.
“Yes.”
Worry creased his face as I followed the signs to the passenger drop off spot in front of the airport terminal, and put the car in park.
“Willow.”
I picked up my phone, sent the flight information to him in a text, then blocked his number.
“Your flight leaves in an hour and a half, so you should get going,” I said as I stared at the dashboard. “Your ticket is already paid for. I just sent the information to your phone.”
His face bleached white. “Baby . . . Not like this.Please,” he begged. “I was going to tell you. Just let me explain.”
I closed my eyes to keep from looking at him. I couldn’t break. For two hours I had been strong with him sitting beside me, but I couldn’t handle it anymore.
“But you didn’t,” I clipped as calmly as I could.
Ryan didn’t respond to that. He couldn’t.
An automated voice echoed over the airport speakers, warning cars of the time limit for departure drop-offs as tears streamed down my face.
He had already humiliated me. A few tears wouldn’t make it any worse.
Ryan reached into the backseat and grabbed his backpack. I pressed the button to pop the trunk as he rummaged around in his bag and pulled out a stack of aged envelopes.
“Lisa wanted me to give these to you. I promise I was going to tell you everything last night,” he said.
“Empty promises are just lies.”
Ryan closed his eyes like this was physically painful for him. But he had no idea just how much this hurt. “Please, let me explain.”
“Fine,” I clipped. “When did you find out?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “A week ago.”
At least he was truthful.
“But I was going to tell you as soon as?—”
I held my hand up to silence him. “But you didn’t.”
“Wills . . .”
“Please just go,” I said.
“Willow—”
“Go,” I barked.
“I’m not getting on that plane.”
“I don’t care if you get on the plane!” I snapped. “Why should I care what the fuck you do, when you never cared about me?”
“Just let me?—”
“Get out of the car, Ryan.” I was radiating with anger, trembling with rage and unfettered energy.
