Page 111 of Break Point
“The right thing would’ve been keeping Robbie out of there in the first place.”
“I didn’t want to leave him!” Henry snaps. “Alone. With her. I promised your dad I’d get him back to his room. And he’s beyond drunk. And stubborn as hell. You know this isn’t easy for me, either.”
“Yeah, real hard,” I say, my tone dry. “I don’t even want to know what the hell you’ve all been talking about.”
The elevator arrives. I step in without hesitation.
“Bells, please wait.” Henry catches the doors with a hand. “Let me tell you how it all happened.”
“I’ve heard enough.” My glare cuts clean. “You report to my dad. So go back and finish sucking at getting Robbie out of there, just like you promised.”
I jab thebutton for my floor.
“Now let me go get my beauty sleep so I can beat the hell out of your ex’s little sister tomorrow.”
And I already know I’ll be set toinsane modeby morning.
“Move aside and let me go.”
“Necia,” he says, shaking his head, but his voice is quieter this time, and when our eyes meet, there’s something else there. Regret.
The doors begin to close. And that’s when I see her.
Gemma.
She’s standing behind Henry, her face streaked with tears.
“Gemma!” I choke out, slamming thedoor openbutton. “Gemma, wait!”
But the elevator’s already moving.
The tears hit before I realize they’re coming. Hot and stupid and blinding.
How did I miss this?
The way she looked at him tonight. The nonstop banter between them. The way she didn’t say anything. I was so wrapped up in my own mess that I didn’t see it.
I fumble for my phone with shaky hands, ready to call her. Ready to go back down, until two texts from her appear on my screen.
Gemma: Please don’t come down here.
Gemma: I need to be alone.
I freeze, staring at the messages. She’s hurting. And I left her there. But I can’t go back now.
And Gemma … Gemma needs space. We’re both so hurt.
Robbie and Henry can suck it.
But right now, I’m the one who missed the signs. Or maybe I didn’t … but it was easier to tell myself it was all in my head.
1 Idiot, dumbass, jerk, or fool. Depends on the context.
CHAPTER 26
PLAYED LIKE AN OLD PIANO
JANUARY 23, 2011
