28. Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Eight
C hance
I stare out the window. It’s a muggy day. The sky is heavy with gray clouds and the sun is hidden. Raindrops beat against the glass but no actual rain.
A heavy sigh fills my chest and I let it out. My shoulders sink and the ball of dread in my stomach falls lower.
It’s over. I should return to my work, but I can’t.
This morning, I gave the go-ahead for Maddie to get paid. I came to terms with the fact that it is over.
Doing that sucked the life out of me. Last night was symbolic, but the raw truth lives in the day. She’s not here. She would return home and I’d continue… existing without her.
I turn away from the window and look around the office. I lock myself away here to do my work—my most prized room. Yet, it looks like an architect’s rendition.
No character, no style—flat and bleak, like me.
Maddie was my spark. My light. A flame burning bright in my dark world.
And now she’s gone.
I’m nothing.
The lock turns and footsteps follow. Baxter. Coming to throw jabs at my stupidity? Well, he’s welcome.
I have no defenses today.
I drop into my chair, my head bowed. “Make it quick. Take your time. Whatever. I don’t care. Just be done and get out.” I sound disembodied, like I’m not here, but miles into a dark, soulless abyss.
“I know you’re hurting.” The visitor’s chair creaks as it absorbs his weight. “I know it’s hard. I saw you both break down last night. And I can’t pretend to know what truly went on between you both, but I know for sure you cared for each other deeply.”
“I loved her.” The words leave my mouth before I can think them through. And when I do think, I repeat, “I love her. With everything in me.”
I raise my gaze to meet my brother’s eyes.
“And now she’s gone. I have nothing.”
“Don’t say that.” He sits forward and places a hand on my folded ones. “You have us, but best of all, you have the memories between you both.”
I scoff and look toward the plain gray wall. “And that’s supposed to be comforting? It’s nothing. Just three fucking weeks of my entire life! I wanted her—” My throat closes and the words can’t escape. “I wanted her to stay.”
I cannot bear to see what Baxter thinks about that. I go to the window and look out. The drizzle comes more steadily now.
“I… I don’t know what to do.” I pull in a breath that doesn’t fill my lungs. “What the fuck do I do?”
Baxter’s voice is little more than a whisper. “I always thought you’d tell her you loved her sooner, convince her to stay—”
“I’m not good for her, Bax. After Mom died, I gave up on myself. I became someone I don’t recognize. Only when she came did I start to reconsider. See there’s a different way to live.”
Her words play in my head.
“She believes I can straighten up my act and be good for someone else. But not her and not now.” I look up to the ceiling and breathe in, just to stem the moisture building behind my eyes. “If I told her then, and she said no, it’s all lost. There’s no hope, but if I can be better maybe—”
“You don’t understand, do you?” Baxter rises, coming closer. “She cared—fuck it. She loved you with all your issues. The only reason she’s bugging you about getting better is because she already cares.”
I start to shake my head.
His hand clasps my shoulder. “Stop with the excuses. She does love you. Even with all your flaws.” His voice drops. “As we all do.”
I do a one-eighty to face him. We stand head to head, shoulder to shoulder. His gaze bores into mine, firm with conviction.
“We’ve never asked you to be anything but who you are. We just want you to be better. Same as her.”
“You think so?”
He nods firmly.
My chest fills with hope, but to what end? Maddie must be up and away now. If I can find her though...
His lips twitch with a sad smile. “Should have had this talk before last night, right?”
“Should have.”
“Take care, champ.” Baxter claps my shoulder once, then leaves.
I’m alone once more. My heart feels too heavy for my chest, and I’m exhausted.
I drop back into my seat. Best to get on with work, right? That’s the best distraction I can get now.
I flip open my laptop. An email pops in from Julia. It’s about the leftover tasks that Maddie had yet to complete.
I’m hit with a wave of pain. By now, she’d have sashayed into my office, going over my calendar. She’d look like the brightest morning star and I’d be forced to keep my mind on task, remembering that she’s my employee.
A knock sounds on the door then Julia walks in.
“Mr. Easton.” She stops before me. “Here are your tasks for the day.”
I stretch my hand. “Just give it.”
She frowns, then hands over the paper. “Is there anything else you’d like? Since Maddie is gone, I can clear my schedule and take the minutes of meetings for you. I’ve booked a hotel for your trip next week. Maddie already RSVP’d so that’s covered. If Maddie—”
“Just stop.”
“What?” She stares at me wide-eyed.
“Stop saying her name.”
Her mouth opens and shuts. “Um, okay… She—”
“Doesn’t work either.” I palm my face and run my fingers through my hair. “Can we do this later?”
I can’t bear to be reminded every five seconds that Maddie was here. And now she’s gone.
“Sir, if I may?”
“You may not.”
“It’s about Maddie.”
“Then definitely don’t.”
“It’s a good one.”
“Julia,” I sigh, falling back against my seat. By the look on her face, she won’t be deterred. “Fine, go on.” Torture me .
“Maddie’s plane hasn’t left yet.”
A lump forms in my throat. I look away. “What is that to me, Julia?”
She huffs. “You and Maddie are the most stubborn—”
My eyes meet hers and she presses out a smile.
“Sorry. Just got ahead of myself there.” She clears my throat. “All I’m saying is… the plane leaves by noon so you’ve got”—she glances at her watch—“two hours to get to her.”
I keep my gaze steady, not betraying the hope building in my chest.
“If you want to get her back.” She shrugs. “As an employee, of course.”
I ignore her snarky tone and focus on the message—get Maddie back. Can I? If I show up at the airport, would she accept me? Last night, she was pretty clear she was done. And today, she left without even saying a final goodbye.
If that’s not a clear message, I don’t know what is.
“I’ve heard you, Julia.” I look down at my laptop. “You can get back to work.”
I lift my gaze in time to see her aghast look, and how she stomps out.