Page 68 of The Problem with Princes
* * *
It’s very earlyon Wednesday morning when I finally crawl into my own bed for a few hours of sleep.
Airport security in Atraxia had finally put me in an interrogation room until it was time to board my flight because of all the commotion. Strangers tried to take selfies with me. I’m amazed at the gall of some people. Others were more discreet, just trying to capture me in the background. I almost hated the idea of those more.
Ty had only been allowed to drop me off at the airport, which caused enough stir on its own. In the end, I hadn’t even been able to kiss him goodbye, because of all the phones and cameras taking pictures.
Thankfully, once I changed planes in Paris, most people on the plane didn’t know or realize who I was, so I was able to fly in relative obscurity. It also finally allowed me to cry without fear that it would be recorded or photographed.
My layover in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. was delayed by three hours. So instead of arriving in DC just before nine in the evening, I crawled into my apartment at just after one in the morning.
I lay in my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Why had I allowed myself to like him. If it wasn’t so absurd, I may even admit to loving him. But it had barely been a week since I met him. And I didn’t even like him that first day. People don’t fall in love in seven days.
My brain replays every interaction I’ve had with Ty and each one makes my heart break a little more. I should have protected myself better. But this is exactly why I wanted to just be friends with him. Leaving a friend is hard, but it doesn’t make you feel like your heart has been stomped on. I think what hurts the most is that I have no idea where we stand because we didn’t get a proper goodbye.
I was hoping to get at least a few hours of sleep before I go into work. Mr. Wainwright should be happy I’ll be in early. He’ll get his coffee first thing in the morning. It doesn’t make me feel remotely better.
A knock sounds at my door. “Gee, did I hear you come in?”
I let out a loud sniffle.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” The door to my room cracks open and Texie pokes her head in. “You’re home early.”
I nod. “The queen changed my flight to leave earlier. After the picture, they thought some distance was best.” My eyes fill with tears again.
“I’m guessing you didn’t sleep much on the plane?”
“No. But I have to get up and go to work in the morning. Can we talk after I get home?”
“Why don’t you take the day off and get some sleep. They aren’t expecting you until Thursday morning, right?” Texie sits down on my bed. She leans forward, sliding her arms around my neck and giving an awkward but very appreciated hug. “It sounds like things didn’t end well. I’m sorry, Gee.” She stands back up and I hear her walk to the door. “The jury should come back with their verdict by lunch, at the latest. Maybe we can go out to dinner and talk.”
I just nod my head into my pillow. I can’t just mope around all day today. It’ll be best if I go to work and focus on that. I do have a project I can get started on.
* * *
My phone vibrateson my nightstand and the music slowly builds. I crack my eyes open. Ugh. Is it already time to get up? Maybe I should just stay home today. I growl in my throat, hating Def Leppard and their upbeat tempo. Dragging myself from my bed, I head for the shower. Only hot water will melt this fog hanging around my brain.
I let the water pelt my neck and shoulders. Slowly my mind begins to clear. I want to hate Atraxia. To purge all my memories of it and everything that happened there, but I find I can’t.
It’s just the opposite. I want to go back. I run my tongue over my lips, still feeling the tingling of Ty’s kisses. I sigh. Oh, the kisses and the looks. He looked at me the way no man ever has. I will forever love and hate his kisses because they were amazing. But also, because it’s impossible that any other man will be able to come close to competing with Ty’s kisses. With Ty.
I squeeze some face wash onto my hand and rub it roughly on my face. If the commercials are right, in another ten years I will regret this disregard I’m showing for my skin, but for now I don’t care.
My phone chimes and I remember I’m on a schedule. It will not do to be late for work when I had already called in and missed two extra days. Although, can I be late if they aren’t even expecting me today? I slow my scrubbing down and close my eyes as Ty fills my thoughts.
I hop out, drying my hair and skin with the towel. My phone chirps with a text message. It’s probably Texie.
I grab my phone off the counter and lift it up to my face to unlock it. There are four texts from…Tyrone.
I clutch my phone in my hands. I don’t know what I had expected, but this wasn’t it.
My phone chimes again.
I close my eyes, steadying myself to read whatever he has to say.
I press on his name and the texts fill my screen.
HPT: I know you’re in flight, but I just wanted to say again that I’m so sorry.
