Page 93 of Wild Love

No one questioned it, just filed back into the auditorium. Once I moved past the doors, everyone yelled, "Surprise!" There was a huge banner under the balcony that read Good Luck, Scarlett. This was my going-away party. My mouth was dry. Everyone was here. The whole town, my family, Eli, and his family.

Everyone stopped by to wish me well. There was even talk about who would take over the theater now that I was gone.

It shouldn't have bothered me, but I couldn't even draw in a deep breath due to the pain shooting through my chest. It was as if I was easy to replace. I wasn't wanted or needed here. It was what I'd always feared. But now that it was a reality, I wasn't sure what to do. I didn't feel that same urge to run.

I wanted to burrow into this town and make myself part of it. But that wasn't the plan. It didn't even sound like that was what anyone else wanted.

It was too late to change my mind. I'd already signed up for the new play. They were expecting me on set tomorrow. I couldn't let them down.

"She's going to do amazing things," Eli said to someone and then moved toward me. "She'll have to let us follow her travels on social media."

I nodded, unable to talk to anyone. Usually people made comments about me coming back, but this time, no one did. It was as if they were used to me coming and going and didn't care one way or another if I stayed.

I swayed on my feet, remembering that I hadn't eaten since lunch. There was food at a nearby table, but I couldn't eat. My stomach cramped. I had to get out of here. There was the urge to run. I slipped out without anyone seeing me and walked to my car. I drove to my condo for the last time.

Everything was packed and ready to go. I even had my airplane outfit carefully folded on top of my dresser. Tomorrow, I'd be staying in a motel in some town in Tennessee where I didn't know anyone. It didn't feel as good as it used to.

It felt lonely, isolating. Why was I leaving when I had so many friends and family here? I'd made more connections with the community the last few weeks than I had my entire life. In the past, I was so eager to get out, I never bothered to make deep connections.

I screwed everything up, but there was nothing I could do. I poured a glass of wine, then headed to the rooftop deck. There were so many memories here: when we planned the play, dancing around our attraction in the hot tub, making love in the cabana, and waking up to the sunrise. Would I have moments like that with anyone else?

It hurt to even think about it. I sat by myself and drank my wine. I half expected Eli to appear, but he didn't.

Instead, I got pictures of Marigold at the bar with Chance and the Wilde brothers. Eli was in the background, talking to someone. I couldn't see if it was another woman. I didn't want to know. I didn't have a claim to him anymore. He was done with me, and I didn't blame him.

When my eyes began to droop, I returned to my room, listening for any sound of Eli coming home. I never heard his door. Any time I drifted off, I'd jerk awake, wondering if he was with someone else. I punched the pillow with the intention of fluffing it up, then flopped back down. How could he move on so easily?

I finally fell asleep, feeling sorry for myself. My alarm wentoff at the crack of dawn. No one would be awake at this time of day. My parents hadn't planned to see me off this time, and Chance was already at work.

Marigold was waiting for me in front of the lodge. I threw my small suitcase in the back of her car. I was used to traveling light, but I almost wished I had more things to bring with me.

When I got in, she handed me a coffee with a bright smile. "Are you excited about Tennessee? I can't wait to see videos of your performance."

Marigold didn't bother waiting for an answer. She kept up the chatter all the way to the airport. When we were there, she got out to give me a hug. "I'd better get going. Eli wanted to set up interviews for the new theater director today."

A sharp pain went straight through my heart. "I didn't realize you were replacing me so soon."

Marigold nodded eagerly. "Eli's excited to keep the theater going."

"And he's going to be involved?" I asked, carefully lifting the handle of my suitcase. I should go. I couldn't handle this conversation so early in the morning, especially without any sleep.

"He said he caught the theater bug, and he loved seeing those kids on the stage. Thank you for getting it off the ground. I know we'll find the right person for the job."

I was replaceable. No one needed me. I nodded miserably. "I'll miss you."

Marigold waved me off with a bright smile. "You'll forget about us as soon as you land. Onto the next show, right?"

Wow, that hurt more than I thought it would. "It's not like that."

Marigold tipped her head to the side. "You don't have to worry about us. We're going to be fine. I have the new play to start planning."

I should have been the one planning the next production with Eli and Marigold. Instead, I was leaving. But this was whatI always wanted. No one to bother me when I left. Now that I had it, it didn't feel so good.

Marigold was already walking to the driver's side door. "Have a safe flight."

It was so generic. Something you'd say to anyone. And then there was her comment to not worry about keeping in touch. I'd ruined our friendship, and there was nothing I could do to fix it. The damage was done.

I went inside, forcing myself to put one foot in front of the other. I printed my ticket and headed through security.

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