Page 52 of Sins (The Sins Trilogy 1)
Chapter Twenty-One
Ivy
When the alarm goes off, I hit it, then huff out a breath. I can’t believe Tony didn’t come by last night. I was so certain he would…and offer me whatever explanation he could about Katherine’s death.
Maybe he honestly can’t talk about it. I mean…I don’t know how I’d feel if I thought I had a part in my family’s death, even if it was an accident.
I shower, put on a T-shirt and shorts and go down for breakfast. I’m not sure what I’m going to do when I see Tony. Obviously, pushing him isn’t going to improve the situation, and I hate arguing with him.
Just give him some space to think on it? I’m sure we can have a calmer and more rational conversation before the weekend starts. I wish I hadn’t gotten so nasty and told him to go see his friend alone. I was just devastated and upset by his reaction to my tattoo, especially coming so soon after my ugly talk with Aunt Margot. I just wanted him to see the tat for what it is—my love for him—and accept it, rather than acting like love vanishes as easily as, I don’t know, the morning dew or something.
“Good morning,” Harry says, holding a spoon carelessly over his cereal. Next to it is a plate with a few bits of eggs and bacon.
“Hi,” I say. “You look chirpy.”
“It’s a nice day.”
“Have you seen Tony?” He usually gets up earlier than anyone.
“Yeah.”
Ugh.Why is he channeling Jonas all of a sudden? “Aaand…?”
“He left.”
“Left? For where?” I ask, wondering if Tony’s decided to avoid me.
“Dunno. Had a suitcase, though.”
Panic leaves me breathless. Don’t come crawling back if I think it over and decide I made a mistake getting the tattoo. Because it’ll mean I don’t love you after all.
Oh my God! Is that what made him go? I never meant for him to just give up and leave!
I explode out of my chair and dash back to my room. I have to call him, tell him to come back.
His phone rings and rings. “Come on,” I mutter, waiting for him to pick up. When he doesn’t, I text, Where are you?
The moments I wait for him to respond feel like an eternity in hell. Pacing, I nibble on the tip of my index finger. I sometimes forget he can be exceptionally vulnerable, especially when it comes to his mother’s horrible attitude and treatment. What she put him through has to be child abuse, even if she never physically raised a hand against him.
“Tony, you better text me back right now!” I hiss at the phone.
Finally, it pings. At the airport.
Oh, good. He hasn’t boarded yet. What are you doing? Come back.
I thought you wanted me to go see Ryder by myself.
I double-check the calendar. Why? It’s only Thursday. He wasn’t supposed to fly out until tomorrow.
I decided to follow your advice and leave a little early. Give us some time to cool off.
My heartbeat slows, although not much. So he’s not leaving leaving. Just going to see his friend. I hate it that we’re going to be apart, and I wish I hadn’t said what I said, because he’s doing this thinking it’s what I really want.
I hesitate, dying to tell him to come back soon and that I only want to understand him better. But at the same time, I would hate for him to think I’m pressuring him again. He already knows I need to know what happened, and that I don’t want to be shut out. If he’s leaving earlier than planned, he must really need some space.
In the end, I don’t text him back. After tossing the phone back on my desk, I go downstairs again. Harry looks up. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah.” I give him a pat smile.
