Page 53 of With a Broken Wing
“You didn’t see his face when he left,” I told her. “He isn’t going to forgive me. If I stay here, then he moves on, even if I…” I couldn’t finish it.Even if I die.
“I’m married to his brother, Andy. I see how miserable he is. We all do.” She looked at me. “I’ll have you back by your birthday so you can have your pity party for two with Auston. Okay?”
With a sigh, I hung my head back on the couch. My stubborn friend knew she’d get her way. She was going to get me on the plane to Chicago, and she’d known it before she even walked in the door.
* * *
It had been two days since I’d gotten to Jules’s penthouse. William didn’t seem too thrilled I was there, kind of like when a woman brought home a new puppy a man didn’t want.A worthlessly depressed puppy with an expiration date.
I sat curled up on the fancy white couch in their guest room. For a moment, I considered taking my feet off the fabric, knowing it had to cost more than I made in a year, but as I picked at the peeling polish on my toenails, I reminded myself that William would just buy her a new one.
Flakes of old pink polish fell to the floor, and I made a mental note to sweep them up before I climbed into bed. I had just settled against the couch with no more polish to pick at when voices came from the other room.
“Don’t you at least want to talk to her?” Jules asked.
He was here? Temporary hope teased me before he yanked it away. “No. I need to go.”
“Demetri, stop! Are you kidding me? She hasn’t hardly said a word to anyone in almost two weeks, and since I brought her here, she has barely left the guest room. You’re standing right here, and you really won’t hear her out at all? What’swrongwith you?”
There was a slight hesitation. Was he worried about me? “I said no.”
When the door slammed shut, I knew he was gone. Would he ever look me in the face or talk to me again?
“He’sunbelievable! Can’t you talk some sense into him?”
“I recall a certain someone who wasn’t willing to talk to me not all that long ago,” William said, eliciting a giggle from Jules.
I remembered the way Jules had quit her job and left the country to avoid the man and the way he begged me to know where she was. It was so obvious how much he loved her that I knew I’d give him what he wanted, but watching him grovel for it had been fun.
“That was different. You deserved it. Plus, the woman who got you your second chance is broken in the other room, so keep that in mind.” The tone of her voice had changed, and she sighed. “I should go check on her. She’s been in there all day.”
Shit.
Forgetting about the chipped polish on the floor and couch, I quickly shuffled back to the unmade bed and climbed in. As my head hit the pillow, I clamped my eyes shut, willing my heartbeat to slow down so my breathing would follow.
“Are you really asleep?” she asked in a whisper.
For a second, I considered opening my eyes, but my throat burned, and I was going to cry.He really hates me.
“Well, I guess I’ll let you pretend to sleep and mope around in here. Tomorrow it’s over, though. You’re going to leave this fucking room and come with us to this company party.” She was stern.
A company party? Would he be there? What would he do when he saw me? I shook my head, pulling the blanket tighter around my shoulders.
“You’re not staying in here alone on your birthday.”My birthday.She had promised I’d be home for it, but I’d lost track of time. I should insist on going back, but getting out of bed sounded like a lot of work. It would take energy I didn’t have.
“Please.” My voice was hoarse, and I whimpered.
“I’m not taking no for an answer. You can’t just pity yourself forever.” I cringed when her voice raised to a near yell. “Auston and Katie land at nine. Be ready, because if I have to drag you out of this room you aren’t going to like it, butI willdo it.” She leaned down and kissed my temple, a soft contrast to the harsh reality in her tone.
“So bossy,” I mumbled, causing her to laugh. “Fine.”
She was right. I couldn’t hide forever. I couldn’t stay in the dark, begging to die while fearing the death Fisher promised at the same time.Enough was enough.
* * *
When I woke up, my eyes were foggy and the sun had set. I looked at the clock next to the bed. 12:30. A groan left my lips, and my stomach sank, recognizing the notification. Who was texting me in the middle of the night?
With a sense of desperation, I hoped it was Demetri, but then I remembered his tone before he’d left earlier. There was no way he was going to talk to me.
