Chapter 30 #2
“Why does no one I love choose me?” Her voice breaks on the words. “What did I do in a past life to earn me a family who doesn’t think I’m worth protecting?”
“I’m sorry,” I say, my voice weak.
She swipes at her tears. “Just go.”
“Addy, plea—”
“I said fucking go,” she yells, and I flinch away from her.
I nod as I blink back my tears, turning away before she can see them. I’ve caused enough damage, and she doesn’t need to be subjected to my messy emotions, too.
I’m numb by the time I reach my room. Vaughn’s leaning against the wall with his suitcase in hand. “The pregnant one wouldn’t give me a key. Said she wasn’t letting some creepy-ass man into her friend’s room. Nice that you made a friend.”
“I don’t have the energy, Vaughn.” I swipe the key without looking at him.
He follows me inside. “You sounded like you needed me. I’m sorry if I made it worse.”
I grab my bag and start throwing things in without paying attention to what’s going where.
“What are you doing?” he asks. “You’re not running away.”
“No, Addy asked me to leave.”
“You can’t leave,” Vaughn says, flipping the suitcase closed. “Thee, come on. Emotions are high. Let’s just give it the night.”
I would, except she’s finally let out all those feelings she’s kept hidden. Waiting would only give her time to feel guilty.
“Please don’t make this into an argument,” I say. “I have to go.”
He rolls his lips together, then sighs, flipping my suitcase open again.
Without asking, he packs up my bag, refolding the things I haphazardly threw in and gathering everything else around the room, and I feel a pang of gratitude for him.
While I wait, I realize there’s one more thing I need to do before I leave.
I sit at the beautiful desk, pull over the little notepad and pen, and start writing.
I make it through three pages before I feel content, folding them over on top of each other. “I’ll be back in a couple minutes.”
Vaughn opens his mouth to speak, then thinks better of it. I leave without giving him a chance to change his mind, heading a floor down until I find the room I’m looking for. I knock. And wait. I knock again, and again, and again, until the door swings open to reveal a scowling Diana.
“What do you want?”
I hold out the folded sheets of paper to her. “To give you an explanation.”
“I don’t need anything from you.”
“Just read the fucking letter, Diana,” I snap, and her skin turns a deep shade of red.
“I get it. You hate me, and honestly, the feeling’s pretty mutual.
You’ve been horrible to the most important people in my life, but for some reason, they still want a relationship with you.
So read the letter. Addy doesn’t deserve to suffer for my mistakes, and Harrison deserves a future with the woman he loves. ”
She eyes the papers like a snake she expects to strike at any moment. After a full minute, Diana reaches out to take them. Her eyes are steely, but she tucks the pages into the pocket of her fluffy robe.
I nod and leave. That fifteen-second interaction drained the last bit of fight from me.
The warm hallways of the inn that felt so homey the past few days now feel heavy, like the walls are going to cave in and crush me at any second.
My door is in sight when Owen’s voice calls out from behind me.
I consider slipping into my room and pretending I didn’t hear him, but he doesn’t deserve that from me.
He wraps his arms around me, and I let him. The damage is already done. What’s one last hug?
Owen pulls back, placing his hands on either side of my neck just like he did a few hours earlier, but it’s not the same. There’s no thrill at the contact, no tingling of my skin or racing of my heart. I’ve gone numb.
“I’ll fix this,” he says, strong but frantic in his conviction. “I promise you, I’ll make this right.”
I nod, because what else can I do. Whatever happens, I won’t be around to see it.
“Thea, please say you believe me.”
“Of course.” My voice is scratchy, like I’ve gone days without speaking.
“I’m going to let my mom sleep on it. She’ll be easier to manage in the morning, but I’ll head there first thing. It’ll work out.”
“Okay.” My voice is as dead as my relationship with Addy.
“Can I stay with you? I don’t want you to be alone.”
“Vaughn’s here,” I say, my voice and body stiff as an oak tree.
Owen nods. “Can I kiss you goodnight?”
I close the gap instead, gifting myself one last kiss.
It’s a bizarre experience, touching someone you care about so deeply, knowing it’s the last time.
I let myself savor it all. The softness of his lips.
The way his breath hitches at the slide of my tongue.
The fresh taste of him and that deep sugary smell that will follow me until my last breath.
Owen breaks the kiss first, tilting his head so our foreheads rest together. “Go get some sleep. Everyone will be in a better headspace tomorrow.”
He smiles and kisses my forehead before heading down the hallway. It isn’t until he’s out of sight that I can force myself to leave, too. When I enter the room, my things are neatly packed away.
“I’m coming with you,” Vaughn says.
I smile, but it dissolves into tears that have Vaughn rushing over to hold me. My world is falling apart. I have no job, no sister, no significant other. But I have Vaughn, and that’s worth more than I can say.
“I’m asking a lot,” I say, wiping my face with a tissue before grabbing my purse and suitcase. “But I need you to stay. Please. To bring my car home when it’s fixed and to smooth everything over.”
“How the hell am I supposed to do that?”
“You have more charm than Jonathan Bailey. You’ll figure it out. If I stay, it’ll just cause more issues. Please make sure the wedding happens tomorrow.”
He looks like he wants to argue, but nods. I believe him. He’ll do it.
But I won’t be here to see it.