Page 103 of All Tied Down

I stare at Garrett’s retreating form, my eyes stinging with angry tears that I blink away before they dare to fall.

Who the fuck does he think he is?

This is the only life I’ve known, and he can’t expect me to change overnight just because he decided to blindside me on the heels of me already being stressed about Tennessee. With shaking hands, I pull my phone from my pocket and type out a text to Tom as I climb the stairs and head to the bedroom I shared with Garrett.

My heart squeezes in my chest.

I’m hurt and embarrassed and confused.

But I’m also angry as hell because there’s a million better ways he could have chosen to have that conversation.

And he can fuck all the way off if he thinks I’m going to stay here after that.

EMERSON: Can I take your car to Chicago?

Three little dots appear and then disappear before my phone starts ringing. If it were anyone else I’d send them to voicemail, but I can’t do it to Tom and not even because I need a favor.

You just don’t do it.

“Hey,” I manage as I pull my designer overnight bag from the closet and drop it onto the bed. My closet in Chicago is still full of things I can wear, but my favorite sweatshirt is here and so are a handful of other things I throw inside on autopilot.

“What happened?”

“Just a change of plans.”

“Emerson.”

“Oakey, I can’t, okay?” The words are a whispered plea. “Please just let it go tonight.”

“Did he hurt you?”

The silent rage that I can feel coming down the line has me shaking my head even though he can’t see me. “No.”

At least not physically.

“I don’t tell you girls enough, but I love you and I swear on the love I have for my wife that I’ll go to prison to keep you safe.”

That has me chuckling as I zip up the bag and take one last look around the room. “I love you too and you’d look terrible in orange.”

“Emerson.”

“I know. And it’s just that we didn’t take into account how things would change in six months. We’re,”—I swallow down the lump in my throat—“adjusting.”

“I don’t like it.” Me either. “Are you sure you want to leave?”

“He doesn’t want me here, Oakey.”

“When has that ever stopped you? If you want him, you need to fight for him.”

“I don’t know what I need. I just know I can’t be here tonight.”

“The car is ready for you.”

“I’ll be over to your house in a second but before I forget—did you talk to Des about Sundown Realty? I need a contact out there.”

“Yeah, I’m working on it.”

“Okay, get me something as soon as you can.”