Chapter 39
AUDREY
Unknown Number
Pick up the damn phone, Audrey.
Seriously?
This is how you’re going to leave me? You’re not even going to give us a chance to talk it out?
Ityped back, I don’t have anything else to say to you…
My fingers hovered over send, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
I blocked Taylor’s new number too and forced my focus back to the task at hand.
It had taken me all day just to unlock the door to my parents’ writing office, yet I still couldn’t step inside.
The scent of paper and pine still leaked from the crack beneath it—like my parents were just on the other side, waiting for me to join them.
Just do it, Audrey. Count to five. Just do it.
“One… two… three—”
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
Grateful for the distraction, I rushed to the front door and swung it open.
“Cecelia?” I blinked. “What are you doing here?”
“Well, hello to you, too!” She narrowed her eyes. “Surely you should be happier to see your favorite cousin in the world.”
“I am happy to see you.” I opened the door wider, ushering her inside. “I just don’t remember telling you I was here.”
“Because you didn’t.” She dropped a duffel bag on the sofa. “Aunt Lydia told me to bring your mail, and I decided I could use a change of scenery. You’re welcome for my presence tonight.”
“She promised not to tell anyone I was here.”
“Yeah, well, that promise flies out the window when she’s hosting a swinger’s party.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Please tell me you knew.” She gave me a blank stare. “It’s been obvious since we were teenagers.”
“I really had no idea…”
“Wow.” She laughed. “Well, just tell me when Taylor’s joining you here and I’ll go bother someone else.”
“He’s not coming here.”
“Well, not today, I’m sure, but—”
“He’s never fucking coming here.”
“Whoa.” Her eyes widened at my tone, and she stepped back. “What happened?”
“He doesn’t exist anymore.” My voice cracked. “Want some coffee?”
She blinked.
“Great.” I turned away, grasping for normal. “I was in the middle of something, so…” My eyes landed on the package sticking out of her duffel bag. “I’ll open the mail later. Maybe we can get dinner or something?”
She just stared at me, like she could see every fracture I was trying to hide.
“The weather out here’s been really nice.” I forced a smile, ignoring the tears sliding down my cheeks. “There are kayaks and rocking chairs out back—you can use those.”
Without a word, she crossed the room and pulled me into her arms.
“I should’ve never slept with him… I hate him…” The words broke apart on my tongue.
Cecelia tightened her hold, her voice a whisper against my ear.
“You don’t hate him,” she said softly. “That’s the worst part.”
And she was right.
I dissolved into sobs, and she held me tighter, rubbing slow circles across my back while I shook apart in her arms.