Page 111 of Feels Like Love
I flushed the toilet and washed my hands before swishing some mouthwash and spitting it out. When I met my eyes in the mirror, I didn’t recognize the man standing before me. He was a coward. A liar. A fraud.
I didn’t feel like myself. And this sure as hell didn’t feel like my home.
I didn’t belong here.
I didn’t belong anywhere.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Have you talked to Bennett or Liam yet?” Harper asked.
I leaned back in my chair with a sigh. “I just… I can’t. It all feels like too much right now. I’m too raw.”
She nodded. “I can understand that. You’ve had a lot going on, and I know everyone is still mourning Tessa.”
It had been a week since the funeral. A week since I’d spoken to either of them. I was so livid, I could barely stand it. I was mad at both of them for butting into my love life. I was mad about the lies. I was pissed that they thought it was okay to fight in front of River. The list went on and on.
“It just feels like there are too many lies between us. I don’t know what’s true anymore. I mean—the two men I thought I could trust…” I shook my head and glanced at the ceiling. I really didnotwant to cry. Not again.
Harper came around to sit next to me, handing me a tissue. She let me have a moment, then she said, “Misguided as their decisions were, I honestly believe they were doing what they thought was best.”
“Well.” I sniffled and lifted my chin. “They should’ve asked me. I’m not a child.”
“I can’t believe Liam sabotaged your dates.”
And Bennett… I still couldn’t believe he’d set up a profile on LoveBirds as Ben. The thought never even crossed my mind. But now it seemed so obvious. Ben…Bennett. Gah.
“Yeah.” I scoffed. “Well, it doesn’t matter now. My brother got what he wanted. I’m done dating.”
Liam had no right to do what he’d done. To sabotage my dates. To ask his friend to keep an eye on me. Yet he acted like he was the one wronged. I understood why he was hurt about Bennett and me sneaking around. But I’d told Liam to butt out of my love life time and time again, and he refused to listen.
“Anyway,” I stood, grateful I had an excuse to leave. I didn’t want to talk about this anymore. “I have to go. My mom wants to show me a new place she found for our photo shoots.”
“Awesome. I can’t wait to hear all about it.” Harper stood. “You are strong and capable. And if Bennett isn’t the man for you, then you will find him.”
I slumped. Bennett was the man for me. Or at least, I’d thought he was. Now, I didn’t know what to believe.
When I arrived at the location my mom had shared, I had to admit it was beautiful. I wondered how I hadn’t discovered it before, though I didn’t often go exploring in Cortina. Especially not on land that looked like it was private property. But Mom had assured me it was fine. I figured it probably was—she knew almost everyone in the Alondra Valley since they were all obsessed with Bibliolater.
I continued along the path, seeing her just up ahead. She stood next to a little stone bridge that looked ancient. A small creek flowed under it, and I felt more at peace in the trees than I had in weeks.
“Mom, hey.” I glanced around, hand already on my camera. “This is gorgeous.”
“Right? When I saw it, I knew you’d love it.”
I snapped a few pictures, my brain buzzing with ideas for future photo shoots. “Who does it belong to anyway?”
“Here comes the owner now.”
I glanced up to see Liam headed our way. When he saw me, he stopped.
I lowered my camera and frowned. “What’shedoing here?”
Liam turned to leave when Mom called, “William Edward Beaudin, you get your butt over here right now.”
“It’s fine,” I said. “I’ll go.”
“No.” She crossed her arms over her chest, and the way she glared at us, I felt like I was ten all over again. “You two are going to stay here until you work this out.”
