Page 48 of Drop Three

Her words strike me like a knife to the throat. My stomach churns with anxiety and my heart fucking breaks at the evidence of my cruelty toward her.

I ignore her, and give her the chance to get out whatever words will make her feel better. I can take it. I’d gladly take it after what I made myself do.

Navy’s face crumbles. “Fuck, Bodhi. You’re serious right now? You’re breaking my fucking heart. Is this about Callaway?”

I thought prison was hell, this is worse.

Hurting a woman who has never once intentionally wished wrong for anyone is a tragedy, and I’m the unfortunate bastard who caused it.

“I am. I decided this on my own,” I reply. I hate this.

Fuck fuck fuck.

Navy attempts to wipe away the tears running down her cheeks, but it’s useless because they’re uncontrollable. Her face is swollen from the heaviness of them and it takes all my strength not to reach out and wipe away her beautiful tears.

But it’s not my place anymore. Technically it never was, I’m only making it permanent now.

Navy’s exterior goes cold. “Sure, right. You know what? Forget about it. I’d never want to be known as the mistake you made in a weak moment. I’ve got more dignity than that.” Her words bleed with despair.

That’s not…

“Navy—”

She holds her hand up to stop me. “Nope. You’ve said enough and I’ve reached my limit of bullshit excuses for today.”

I have nothing left in me but to nod.

I stand isolated as Navy rushes to gather her things, shoving them into her arms, and throwing her sundress over her body. She doesn’t spare me a glance and proceeds to breeze past me before finally stopping.

“Bodhi.” She doesn’t turn around as she speaks.

I exhale deeply. “Yes?”

“I never thought you’d be the one to hurt me next. I see now how wrong I was.”

That’ll do it.Those words right there are the truth behind my spot in the offender’s chair. Navy trusted me, and despite what happened today, she feels betrayed.

I have to ignore her admission and pretend she didn’t sever every last hope for us I had. Or maybe that was me. Not that there was much, but in the back of my mind I hoped later on down the road for that to be true.

Her steps move her forward, and now it’s my turn to tell her, “Cal can’t know.”

Navy stills. “I know.” She walks away from me without another word, leaving me alone on the island of Fiji, in the bathroom with walls painted with our heated desire.

13

NAVY

PRESENT DAY

What an asshole.

Bodhi has a lot of nerve if he thinks I’ll sit back and let him trample all over me like some righteous prick.

I don’t answer to him, and I never will.

I’ve clarified that, but he doesn’t want to listen.

I’m not a pushover, never will be. Bodhi can fuck the hell off.

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