Page 98 of Seeds of Christmas
But I’m done running. Done protecting everyone’s feelings except my own.
“I want you to come with me,” I say. “I want—I need you there. Not in the room but…would you wait in the house?”
He glances at me, and something fierce flashes in his eyes. “Of course.”
Twenty minutes later, Carter pulls up in front of my house—a small rental near campus that I share with three other girls.Tara’s car is in the driveway, which means she’s home. And parked on the street, right in front, is Matthew’s black Audi.
Of course, he parked directly in front. Taking up space.
“That’s his car?” Carter asks.
“Yeah.”
Carter studies it for a moment, then puts the truck in park. “Okay. Here’s what’s going to happen. We’re going in together. You’re going to say what you need to say. And I’m going to be right there in the kitchen. I won’t interfere unless you need me. Ok?”
The protectiveness in his voice makes my chest warm. “Okay.”
“And, Rhi?” He turns to face me fully. “You don’t owe him an explanation. You don’t owe him closure. You don’t owe him anything. If you want to tell him to leave and that’s it, that’s enough.”
“I need to actually end this, though. For real. No more him thinking we’re ‘working things out.’”
“You can do this.” He leans over and kisses me softly.
My hands shake as I unlock the front door.
The house is exactly as I left it—Meg’s yoga mat in the corner, Emma’s shoes scattered by the door, the faint smell of whoever’s pumpkin spice candle. Familiar. Safe. Or, it should be.
The energy is off the hair on the back of my neck stands up.
Matthew is here.
“Rhi?” Meg appears from the kitchen, relief flooding her face. Then she sees Carter behind me, and her eyebrows shoot up. “Oh. Hey.”
“Hey. This is Carter. Carter, this is my roommate Meg.”
“Nice to meet you,” Carter says politely, but his attention is already scanning the room.
“Matthew’s in the living room,” Meg says quietly, giving me a significant look. “He’s been here fortwo hoourrs. Refused to leave. He kept saying you’d want to see him.”
“Did you let him in?” I ask.
She winces. “Emma did. Before I could stop her. I’m sorry, Rhi. She didn’t know?—”
“It’s fine.” It’s not fine, but it’s not Meg’s fault.
“Do you want me to stay?” Meg asks, glancing between me and Carter. “I can?—”
“She’s got it,” Carter says. His hand finds the small of my back. “But thank you. Can you show me the kitchen?”
Meg nods. Carter gives me a look that says“I’m here”before Meg shows him the way. She squeezes my shoulder as she passes, and disappears into the other room. I hear her door close firmly—staying close, but giving us space. I take a breath and walk into the living room.
Matthew is sitting on our couch like he owns it, legs spread, arms draped across the back. He’s wearing what I call his “I’m successful” outfit—expensive dark jeans, a fitted button-down, the watch his father gave him for graduation. His hair is perfectly styled, and he’s clean-shaven.
He looks like he’s here for a photoshoot, not a breakup.
When he sees me, his face lights up. “Rhi! Finally. I was starting to worry.”
I stare at him.
