CHAPTER 44
Maddie
It’s over, but it’s not.
Back in our hotel room, I’m packing my bag while we talk.
Three years is a long time, and I don’t really expect him to come knocking on my door, even if I am still single, which I’m planning to be, but it’s a nice thought.
If anything, his gesture means we can remain friends, so in a way, maybe this isn’t the end for us.
He’s sitting in a chair by the window while I try to find my red panties. Could he have taken them? If he did, I won’t say anything. I like that he’d want something to remember me by.
“We need to go over a few things before you leave,” he says.
“Like what?”
“Your brothers, for one. This doesn’t change anything, except I’ll let them buy me out as soon as they can. In the meantime, I’ll continue supporting their business.”
“I appreciate that.”
“We’ll do the same with the fabric shop. I’ll talk it over with Elsie. She’ll come up with a way for you to buy us out, so you own the shop outright. We’ll make it easy.”
I’ve looked everywhere except his luggage. I did steal one of his T-shirts, so I guess a pair of panties is a fair trade. “Wait. What did you just say?”
He chuckles. “We’ll make it easy for you to eventually own the fabric shop.”
Really? I’d love to own that place. “Yeah, as long as it’s fair to you guys. I don’t want any charity.”
“Elsie wouldn’t give you any. It’ll be fair but doable. After I talk to her, you’ll be dealing directly with her, and I’ll deal directly with Keegan. How does that sound?”
Like he’s being too nice. Like maybe I’m making the biggest mistake of my life. Like I want him to take me on this bed right now and have his fucking way with me. That’s how it sounds.
What am I doing?
I have to keep reminding myself what life would be like if we stayed together, how impossible it would be.
It’s hard when he’s sitting here acting like he still cares about me.
What am I saying? Of course he does. I still care about him.
We didn’t even have a fight. We’re breaking up because we love each other so much, we can’t stand being apart.
What kind of breakup is that? It hardly makes sense.
Except it does.
Regardless, it just might be the worst reason ever for breaking up in history.
“I take it Rhonda will be staying.” I’m losing my best friend, too, but I’m happy for her. The fabric shop was just a job to her. I think she’ll like working with the film crew. I can see it turning into a real career for her.
“I think so. I’ll make sure she gets a satellite phone so you can keep in touch.”
There he goes again, being all nice and thoughtful.
Damn him. It’s taking everything I have to not fall apart and he’s not making it easy.
I just got myself under control and if I lose it now, I’m afraid I’ll end up crying the entire flight home.
Who am I kidding? That’s definitely going to happen, but I need to keep it together now or I’ll never walk out that door.
I zip up my luggage, ready to go. “I need to ask you for one more favor.”
“Sure, anything.”
“I’d prefer it if an Uber could take me to the airport. This is starting to get too hard for me.”
He sighs. “I get it. I’ll order a ride now.”
He pulls out his phone.
“One more thing.”
He looks up. “Anything.”
“You can’t hug me. If you do, I won’t—”
“You don’t have to explain.” He comes to his feet. “Goodbye, Maddie. I hope you have a wonderful life.”
He doesn’t smile. His face is stone-cold. Then, without another word, he walks out the door, and out of my life.
I’m standing here in an empty room in dead silence, wondering if I just made the biggest mistake of my life. I can’t hold back the tears, and he’s not here to make me feel better. I’m all alone now.
I try to hold back a sob, but I can’t.
It hurts more than I thought it would… so much more.