Page 71 of Georgia: Britain's Story: Part 1
He cuts me off before I can finish. “Just, please.Stop.”Damnit. I’ve never heard him speak in this tone before. It’s cold and hard. “I will see you at Colton’s for your farewell party. I need to go do something.” He gets up, heading straight for the front door, never once looking at me.
“Liam,pleasejust wait,” but he’s already out the door. I immediately pull up my call history, pressing the call button by his name. It rings and rings, until all I get is his deep voice on the other end of the line.“You’ve reached William Millar. Leave a brief message, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”Hearing his voice in that tone soothes me, but also feels like a knife slicing in between my ribs.Why does it hurt so much?
He said he’ll see me at the farewell party, it’s not like he’s left me. He’s coming back. Maybe he just needs some time to process or cool down. I repeat this sentiment to myself over and over, hoping it’s true. But there’s that gut feeling, burning low in my stomach that tells me it’s not. I try calling two more times, getting his voicemail. Two more times.
I’ll send him a text.
Britain
Liam, please come back. If you’d just let me explain, you wouldn’t have left. I hadn’t gotten over Matthias, but then I ran into you, and somehow, some way, you made me forget about him more and more with each passing day until I realized I don’t think I ever actually loved him. I love you. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone in my entire life. It’s only ever been you.
I wait for a response, a little bubble with dots, anything. But 30 minutes has passed and he hasn’t responded. I set down my phone, noticing the tremble in my hands and I just let the tears fall. He said he’d be there tonight. He’ll be there tonight. When I see him, everything will be better. He’ll say sorry for overreacting and I’ll say sorry, too. I don’t entirely know what for, but I’ll say sorry because I do know the sound in his voice before he left. It was hurt.
I check my phone again, for the hundredth time. Nothing. I don’t know why I do, I haven’t let my phone out of sight since he left. I even took it in the shower with me just in case. I feel sick to my stomach, my palms are sweaty and my hands won’t stop shaking. It takes me ten minutes just to get eyeliner on, I have to keep wiping it off and starting over.
I’m going to be late. What would normally take me 45 minutes to shower, do a blowout, and makeup has taken two hours and I’m not even dressed. I head to my closet, but stop before entering. I turn around and head into his closet. It smells like his cologne, my favorite scent in the world. I run my hands over his suit coats. It’s my subconscious saying goodbye.Stop it, Britain. He’ll be there tonight, and everything will be fine.
I head back to my closet again, grabbing the first dress I see. A baby blue dress by Bardot. I slip on my sandals and watch, and head for the full-length mirror by the ensuite. Objectively, I think I look good, but my eyes are tinged red from crying all day, and there’s something off about my expression. It’s a dead look in my eyes, it’s a weight in my bones.No, it’s not. It can’t be. Not yet. I head to the bathroom sink, slipping on my engagement ring.
As I’m walking out the front door, my phone pings. I nearly drop it as I fumble to pull it out of my bag.
Sandy
Have y’all left yet?
The disappointment is enough to make me start crying again, but I try to keep it together.
Britain
I’m leaving right now. Liam isn’t there yet?
No, he’s not coming with you?
He had to go run an errand, so he’ll meet me there. I’m walking out the door right now.
See you soon, baby!
I just stand on the porch trying to calm myself down. Deep breaths. My phone pings again.
Damian
Hey, I thought about it, and does it just make more sense for me and Summer to take the girls to camp? That way you can stay there a few more weeks?
Britain
If you guys want to do that, that’s fine with me. But check with Caroline and Elodie first. Make sure they’re okay with it?
Already did, so you’re good to go.
Wow.
Okay, sounds like a plan then.
He taps back a thumbs up. I open a new message.
Britain
Can you cancel my flight for Tuesday? I’m going to stay another week or so. I don’t need to book something right now, I’m thinking about flying home private anyways.
