Page 47 of When I Come Back
After another minute, Thea stands up and walks away too.
“Who needs reality TV when you have small-town livin’?” says Ripley with a smile. He and Brooks clink glasses. I swallow the rest of my drink and lift my fingers to signal Tiffany to bring me another.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Thea
Inever got my answer before I got up from the table to leave. I’d asked him what it meant, but in all honesty, I know. There’s only one thing itcanmean. I just don’t understand why. And it’s the least of my concerns at the moment because he’s fucking engaged. He got down on one knee and asked another woman to spend the rest of her life with him.
Then he came here and fucked me.
Iris…God, of course he’s engaged to her. She’s perfect, I’ve known her for all of six hours, and I get it. Why wouldn’t he ask her to be his wife? The look on her face when she asked if he was the ex I’d told her about will haunt me for the rest of my life. I knew someone would get hurt. I assumed it would be me. Maybe Cary. But never did I think it would be his tall, model-gorgeous, nice-as-hell fiancée he conveniently forgot to mention over the last two and a half weeks.
I’m grateful no one has followed me, I just need some air and to not be in the same room as Cary right now. Ripley is probablydistracting both Grant brothers at the moment. He’d promised me before dinner that he’d not only have my back but also make the dinner hell for Cary. Brooks came prepared without me even having to ask.
I push through the double wooden doors that lead out into the crisp November night. The instant the chill hits my face, my heart starts to calm. I’m pacing the front patio with my hand on my forehead squeezing at my temples as the events of the last few hours rush through my mind again.
“Fuck!” I scream, thinking I’m alone out here to drown in my sorrows.
“That about sums it up,” a voice says from the end of the patio. Iris is leaning over the railing on her elbows, covered in darkness.
I clutch a hand to my heart as I jump out of my skin from the surprise. “Shit. I didn’t realize you were out here. I’m sorry. I—I can go back inside.” I turn to grab the handle of the door, but she stops me.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. You’re part of the Carrington Grant Broken Hearts Club too. Welcome—hope you brought the wine.” A sarcastic scoff slips out at her own joke.
I take a couple of steps toward her, not wanting to commiserate but also not wanting to have to shout to be heard. “I… I didn’t know, Iris.” I’ve got my hands in front of me, fidgeting with my rings as my anxiety over the situation flares through me.
She looks up at me with a small resigned smile then says, “That much was obvious.”
I don’t know what else to say, if there’s even anything else to be said, so I just nod back.
She turns so she’s leaning her hip against the railing now, her eyes set on me. The silence drags on for some time which only makes me more anxious. I don’t know this woman. I haveno idea what she could be thinking right now. What I do know is that she’s just as heartbroken as me, it’s written all over her face.
“Could you do me a favor?” she finally says.
“Of course,” I reply with no hesitation at all. Too quickly probably.
“Can you make sure he stays here for a bit longer? I need to get my things from his room and find somewhere else to stay. Maybe I’ll drive back to Myrtle Beach and find a hotel there.”
I’m not sure what the etiquette is for this type of situation, but I start speaking before I can second guess my own decision. “I… can probably make that happen. And I can make a call to a friend about a hotel room. It’s in Southbury—about thirty minutes east.”
Her eyes widen for half a second, I think she’s taken aback by my offer—which is fair, considering. “Oh. No. You don’t have to do that. Really.” Her voice is tight, and I’m not sure what to make of it.
“It’s really no big deal, if you need a place to stay. I know I’m probably the last person you want anything from—”
She cuts me off, “No, Carrington is the last person I want anything from. I’ll find a place. I appreciate your offer though. I just need to not be in this town anymore.”
I nod my head in understanding, seeing the headlights from a car in the parking lot gleam off of her engagement ring as I do. The sight of it makes me nauseous now knowing who gave it to her and knowing I’m part of the reason she’ll probably hate the sight of it.
Without another word, she walks toward the stairs to the sidewalk, and I stand frozen in place. I never expected today to end this way, especially with the way it began. I watch as she walks to her car, gets in, and drives away. I stare off into the distance long after her taillights disappear.
It’s not until I start to shiver from the chill in the air that I remember Iris’ request. I pull my phone from my pocket, feeling the pit in my stomach widen as I scroll past Cary’s name to get to Ripley’s.
Me: Do me a favor and keep Cary occupied for at least another hour?
Ripley: Sure thing. You okay? Do I need to be concerned?
Me: Okay? No. Iris needs time to get her things, and I told her I’d make it happen.
