Chapter 30
A concoction of worry and desperation floods my bloodstream. I hurry to my car, speeding to find Dane. I’m just going to make sure he’s fine and hasn’t done anything crazier than burning down our house, and then I can calm down.
His car isn’t here, and that means he’s not home. Where could he be? I drive to the cliff next, but he isn’t there either. If something happens to him… the thought weighs on my heart, squishing it underneath.
But I can’t allow myself to wallow in despair. Focusing on finding him, I drive to the track. The security stops me at the gates, and I basically beg him to let me take Dane from the premises before he gets himself suspended for good.
A whooshing engine sound greets me when I step out of the car.
You knew he had this side in him.
Guilt chews my heart into pieces before spitting them out, rotting at my feet.
With a heavy chest, I march right to the middle of the track. The car swerves a bit to the side when he notices me. He speeds past me in a heap of scrunching tires, causing the wind to slap at my face.
We can do this all night . He’s stubborn. I’m more stubborn.
By the tenth lap, the car is near enough that my baby hairs stand up, but I trust him. He’s hurt, both of us are. But in the only way I can, I will always make sure he’s okay.
He drives lap after lap while I remain rooted in place.
He must be dehydrated by now. So, I lift my hands in the air, but he doesn’t stop. Dane floors the pedal, accelerating even faster.
Desperate times and all. I go to the side and yank the water hose. As he nears, I let the stream hit him in his stubborn face if it weren’t for the face shield. The car comes to a screeching halt, leaving angry tires burning on the asphalt, but he finally stops a few meters away from me.
He gets out of the car, a fiery energy emanating from him.
“You could have killed me.”
“You wouldn’t stop… I got worried.”
His intense gaze pins on me, and he stalks toward me.
“Dane, listen.”
His chest heaves, pure torment staring back at me. “No, you listen to me. I am done. Fucking done.”
The fear of having lost him for good unbalances me, it’s a wonder I can still stand upright.
He yanks my hand, his fingers curling around my wrist, and says, “Nice ring, princess.”
“Dane… please…” I wish I could take all his pain away, even though I am acutely aware that I am the reason for it.
“When is the happy event?”
It’s never going to take place. “If it’s up to my family, soon.”
“Why the rush? Are you pregnant?”
I hug myself. I was once.
“Please tell me you’re okay. Please don’t do anything more stupid than what you already did.”
“For fuck’s sake…” He turns around, giving me his back.
I don’t stop him. Leaning back on the asphalt, I stare at the sky peppered with stars. Things out of my control keep happening, and I’m so done playing along like a lifeless doll.
“Abigail, I’m going to leave your ass here.”
“Do that. Let’s see how I explain to your team when they ask what I’m doing here.”
“I’ll tell them you’re just a crazy fan who I fucked a few times and is desperate for more.”
“Fuck you, Dane.”
“Fuck you too, Abigail.”
I shoot up and say, “Take that back.”
“Or what?”
“I’m taking me back.”
“I have never had you, so stick that empty threat up your ass.”
Exhaustion drags me down, and I plop on my ass. What do I care if I stay here on the asphalt? It’s peaceful out here.
Angry steps thump toward me, and he squats in front of me.
“I’m not in the mood, Abigail.”
“Then leave. It’s me who brings out the worst in you anyway. I am the poison threatening your well-being.”
“Patience,” he grits out, looking at the sky, then at me. “Get your ass off my track.”
“I will if you tell me you’re all right.”
“I’m fucking terrible.”
My presence only seems to make things worse, so I leave.
He’s fine.
I’m fine.
We’re fine.
***
The next morning, I drive back to campus. After the security guard lets me pass, I drive the two-mile cobblestone road connecting the houses with the college. The campus is like a small town teeming with students.
The whole campus was designed in the shape of an eagle, the Family crest. The rest of the students live here. On the left and right sides of the road are houses ranging from small to large. In the middle is a shopping and entertainment complex, and the eagle holding a globe between its claws is a park.
Kaden talks to Blake, and they are both sitting on Kaden’s hood.
Parking, I step out of the car and take in Mia and Hunter’s college house. It’s a luxurious single-family home. Moving in with them after the whole fire incident will be interesting.
“I worry about him,” I say, approaching Kaden while looking at Blake going inside.
“What should I do, huh? Chain him to a chair until he talks?”
“I think that’s the only viable solution.”
The diamond on my finger sparkles under the sunrays, grabbing my attention. I stare at the engagement ring, urging it to catch fire and free me. “I knew it would happen, but…”
He lifts my chin and my lower lip wobbles. “It’s okay. This will be over soon.”
“And then what? I already lost…” I inhale deeply through the pressure stomping on my lungs.
When he pulls me to his side, I sigh but get myself under control.
Bailey is the last to come. She gets out of the car, looking crestfallen.
“What did they do now?” Kaden asks.
“The usual stuff.”
I hate her parents the most. You have to be a despicable human being to cripple a person as sweet as Bailey.
The moment I walk inside, I can feel the tension rolling in waves. Celine and Hunter are on one side of the room, and our group is on the other side. Blake and Mia are in a weird stare down before she walks toward us.
“Welcome. Should I show you to your rooms?”
Kaden offers a small nod. “Thank you. That would be great.”
She takes Kaden upstairs first while Blake, Bailey, and I wait in stiff silence in the hallway. Hunter and Celine move to the living room.
“Such a warm welcome,” I sigh.
When Mia comes downstairs, she shows me my room next. It’s a small bedroom with a single bed, a desk, a closet on the right wall, and a bathroom. All the necessary amenities are present, the white and cream look offering a peaceful ambiance.
“I’m sure you’re used to more.”
“More is not better,” I reply.
“I hope you will feel at home here.”
“Why are you so nice? The other two seem to be on a personal mission to be grumpy and antagonistic.”
“They’re not always like that… it hasn’t been easy,” she says, then leaves.
I start unpacking, and by the time I go downstairs, Kaden is the only one who isn’t in the living room.
I sit on the curved couch where everyone else sits, the silence becoming unbearable. When the doorbell rings, Hunter goes to open the door and returns with a family-sized pizza. Everyone goes for a slice but me.
“Too ordinary for you, Barbie?” Hunter asks with a gleam.
“I’m afraid it’s poisoned.”
I see him struggle with amusement.
“That would be too nice,” says Celine, staring at my ring.
A sigh rolls out of my mouth when Mia says, “Let’s try to get along, shall we?”
“With the enemy. Typical, sis,” Hunter snickers.
I lose it. “We are the enemies? We’re not the ones sneaking around, sticking our noses everywhere. What were you idiots thinking at the night gala? Wanna get us all killed?”
“So dramatic,” Hunter says.
“Do not give me that condescending attitude. Since you three appeared, all we have done is analyze each other.”
“It has been entertaining, though,” says Blake suggestively, at which Mia blushes a fiery red.
I point at Hunter and say, “You’re one blind and egocentric asshole. You’re on a straight mission to not give a fuck about us that you don’t even care about the implications, and there have been a lot of them.”
Then I move on to Mia. “And you. It was me who bought you the time to return Felix’s phone, just so you know.” Then I switch to Celine. “I expected more from you.”
She glares back at me. “I can’t believe your nerve.”
“Let’s all calm down,” insists Bailey.
“Why doesn’t it surprise me that comes from you, kitten?” Hunter says.
By the time Kaden comes downstairs, even I took a slice of pizza to keep my mouth occupied.
Celine keeps stealing glances at my ring, and Kaden looks at her with so much despair and love—I can relate to that.
Hunter leans back, tapping his thigh while looking at Bailey, who is on her phone. Blake leaves next, and Mia sweeps her gaze over all of us and sighs.
This is torture.
When Kaden stands up, I can’t stay here any longer, either.
I need some fresh air, but outside, I see Kaden getting into his car. Without a second thought, I climb into the passenger seat.
Celine walks out of the house next and drives away as I buckle up.
“I want to be alone,” he grumbles.
“Yes, well, it’s not as if it makes a difference. I can’t be there right now and witness Mia and Bailey’s attempt at small talk.” Or better said, keep the frail peace between us.
We drive toward the cliff and see two cars—both familiar, belonging to the two people who turned from our dreams to our regrets.