Page 55 of Make Believe

This time, I don’t even look around.

“On this occasion? Yes.”

I don’t hang around to see if he goes or not.

My sweet boy needs his Daddy.

But when I get to his room, he’s gone.

CHAPTER 21

Kadence

Despite being blinded by tears,I move at lightning speed. Before I even get to my room, the dress is unzipped, and as soon as I reach the threshold, I stop, yank it off, and toss it onto the bed along with the lacy gloves. The boots are kicked off, then I lurch for the drawers, pulling out the first pair of jeans and a T-shirt I lay my hands on. I don’t bother with socks. I just shove my ankle boots on my feet, then grab my suitcase.

The only thing I really care about is my make-up. Luckily, everything is stored in one large cosmetics bag, so I put that in the case first before running to the bathroom to rescue my expensive skincare products.

Once they’re packed away, I snatch up the shoes I brought with me. As Rafferty bought me so many clothes, most of mine are still tucked away in the case, unused. I just give a cursory look around the room, snatching up a couple of things I see are mine.

Then I zip up the case and run with it to the balcony.

The McKennas are still in the entrance hallway, so there won’t be any fleeing out that way. But I had idly noticed the flower trellis outside my window a while ago. It was back in thebeginning, when I thought if Rafferty uncovered my secret, then this might make a good escape route.

After the first few days, I never thought I’d actually have to use it. Certainly not now.

How much can change in a blink of an eye.

Throwing my case down onto the grass first, I don’t hesitate as I swing off the balcony, gripping onto the wooden lattice until I steady myself. Then I scurry down to the ground from the second floor, crushing flowers and vines under my fingers and shoes as I go.

I jump the last few feet, landing reasonably upright. My plan had just been to run through the woods, then use my phone to navigate and walk home. Maybe order an Uber once I’m far enough away from the house. I don’t want to risk hailing one now and waiting around where either of the McKennas can find me.

Shame threatens to well up inside me, but I shove it down. Adrenaline is helping me focus, thankfully. There will be time to cringe at my appalling actions later. Right now, I need to move.

It seems for once that luck is on my side.

There’s a car parked outside. I can see from the sticker on the windshield that it’s an Uber.

I don’t think. I just make a beeline for it.

“Hi,” I say cheerfully to the driver as I open the passenger door. “Logan said I could take this ride to get home. He’s going to order another one.”

The driver is an older man in his fifties or sixties who blinks slowly at me, clearly not really giving a shit. “Okay,” he says with a sigh, waving at me to get inside. “He already paid me anyway. I was just waiting for another ride in this area.”

Score. In no time at all I’ve opened my own app and booked him for myself. Easy peasy. Once that’s sorted, I sag in relief, shoving my case in first—not wanting to mess around withputting it in the trunk. Then I hop inside, slam the door, and buckle up.

Several emotions wash over me at once. I drop my head in my hands and take a few deep breaths in and out to try and regain my composure. In a moment of masochism, I turn and look over my shoulder at Rafferty’s house one last time.

Just in time to see Logan come storming out of it.

Oops. Well…I guess that can be my revenge instead.

A sob threatens to claw out of my chest at my gallows humor. I swallow it down and ignore the inquisitive look from the driver. When his eyes are back on the road, I stare at the trees until they drop away as we join the highway that will lead me back to Paddle Creek.

Where I belong.

This whole endeavor has been one giant mistake after another. I never should have concocted such a harebrained scheme. Logan’s words hurt, and the humiliation of crying in front of everyone felt like something I could never get over.

But I would have.

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