Page 55 of Tormented Bastard
He nodded and turned his back on me, effectively shutting the door on anything we’d ever had. But if that’s how he wanted it, I’d go. He may have just destroyed me, ripped my heart out of my chest and stomped it bloody, but I had my dignity, damn it.
It might be all I had but I had it. I lifted my chin. “Goodbye, Chase. Have a nice life.”
I walked out of the bedroom and kept my back straight until I got to my room. I still didn’t let the tears fall while I threw clothes in my carry-on bag. I dressed in my armor of a pencil skirt and button-down blouse. A teeny tiny amount of confidence warmed me as I slid into my own clothes again. But it wasn’t much. Not enough for me to get back to where I was before. I tossed my toiletries into the bag and zipped it up. I called Aubrey for a ride, and she said she’d be here in ten minutes.
No turning back now.
On the end of the bed, I lay the T-shirt that Chase had given me the morning after we’d had what, for me anyway, had been soul-defining sex. I thought we’d had a real connection again. A stronger one than we’d ever had before.
But the joke was on me. He said he loved me, even acted like it a few times, but it had all been a ruse.
I ran my fingertips over the soft fabric before pulling my hand back. Burning it or ripping it at the seams crossed my mind. But I was Eden Mitchell. I didn’t do those sorts of things. I had a business to run. A life to get back to in the greatest city in the world.
If the island of Sandy Seas had taught me anything, it was that I had all I needed back in the city. I didn’t need a man, and I didn’t need relaxation. I needed the vibe of the city and I needed my business. Anything and anyone else would only let me down.
I walked downstairs, surprised to see Chase standing in the foyer waiting for me. His head was down, and he looked up when my heels clicked across the tile floor. “I called Aubrey. She’s on her way.”
“If you give me your keys, I’ll take care of your rental for you.”
I stopped and turned to him, anger nipping at my heels. “Oh gee, thanks.” I laughed without humor and shook my head. “You’re right. You’re totally fucked up, Chase. I am better off without you. I don’t need this kind of bullshit in my life.” I dug in my purse for the keys to the rental and tossed them to him. He caught them against his chest and stared at me. I wish I could say I cared that he looked mournful and that he did indeed look sorry. But he didn’t say anything to me as I opened the front door and slammed it behind me.
Aubrey pulled up a few moments later, and after stowing my carry-on in the backseat of her SUV, I slid in and sent her a smile. “Thanks for taking me. I appreciate it.”
“It’s no problem. I’m happy to help.” She pulled away, and I leaned back against the seat. Against my better judgment, I looked in the side mirror as we pulled out and found Chase standing on the front porch in his worn-in jeans, T-shirt, and bare feet, watching us drive away.
I promptly burst into tears.
