Page 4 of Take My Heart
‘I’m not getting into this.’ He backs away. ‘It isn’t the time. We need to get back to the ceremony.’
‘I’m not going back. And I’ll move out of your apartment. I’ll find my own place, or .?.?.’ I pause, dreading the idea of what I’m about to say. ‘Or maybe I’ll move back with my parents.’
My dad knocks on the door. ‘Kate, what’s going on? Can we come in?’
‘Just a minute.’ I turn to Cam. ‘Can I have your keys?’
‘My what?’ he asks, giving me a confused look.
‘Your keys. My parents drove me here. I don’t have my car.’
‘Your parents can drive you.’
‘I’m not going home with them. I need to get out of here. Out of Chicago. I need to get away.’
‘And where exactly are you planning to go?’
‘I don’t know. I just know I can’t stay here. Cam, please, I’m begging you, give me your keys so I can get out of here and not have to deal with everyone right now.’
He pauses a moment, then sighs as he reaches in his pocket. ‘It needs to be back at my place by tomorrow.’ He offers me the keys but then clamps his hand around them. ‘No eating in the car, and no drinks.’
‘Yes, I know.’
Cam loves his car. He keeps it in perfect condition. If he sees even the tiniest scratch, he takes it in to be fixed.
I open the door and see my parents standing there with my sister behind them.
‘I’m leaving,’ I tell them.
‘Kate, let’s talk about this,’ my mom says.
‘There’s nothing to talk about. I’m not getting married. I need to get out of here.’
My dad sighs. ‘The car’s out back.’
‘I’m not going home with you. I’m taking Cam’s car and going up north.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ my dad scoffs. ‘Give me your bag and we’ll take you home.’
‘Dad, I’m not going with you. I’m not a child. If I want to get away for awhile to think, I don’t need your permission.’ I go around him to the hall and head to the door.
‘Kate, get back here!’ my dad yells.
‘Let her go,’ Cam says. ‘Maybe once she leaves, she’ll realize she made a huge mistake.’
Those are the last words I hear before leaving the church.
A mistake.They think walking out on my wedding was a mistake, when the real mistake was staying with a guy I didn’t really love. If I tried to explain that to my family, they’d never understand. I just tried to explain it to Cam and he acted like I was crazy.
Maybe Iamcrazy, but I feel better. My stomach isn’t in knots and my heart’s calmed down.
Hiking my dress up to my ankles, I run down the snow-dusted sidewalk that leads to the parking lot, hoping I don’t trip in these heels. I see Cam’s black Mercedes in the first row. It’s angledacross two spots to make sure nobody parks close enough to ding his precious car. He parks like that all the time and I’ve always hated it, along with the dirty looks people give us for parking that way.
When I reach the car, I toss my suitcase in the trunk and yank the train off my dress. I’m sure I tore it, but it’s not like I’ll wear it again. As I get into the car, I have to stuff the huge skirt of my dress around me, then yank it up so my shoes are exposed enough to touch the gas pedal.
I start the car and take off, having no idea where I’m going. It doesn’t matter. I just needed to get out of there, away from all the people who would tell me it’ll all work out, that Cam and I will get back together, that we’re perfect for each other. It’s all lies, but they’d never understand that. Everyone thinks Cam is the perfect guy for me. I did too, until I realized the me he was perfect for wasn’t really me.
I’m on the freeway now, heading north. My phone keeps ringing with calls from my parents. I’m sure they’re calling to try to convince me to change my mind. I love them, but they’re not great at taking my side on things. They think they know what’s best for me, and to them, Cam was everything I could ever want. A guy with money, a great job, and a wealthy family.
