Page 105 of Adrift

At least then, I had no idea that I’d be forsaking my heart forever.

“At the end of this, we’ll all be bankrupt.” Mom’s words circle around my head, and I can’t help but wonder if she foreshadowed the complete barrenness in my chest at this very moment.

“What are you going to do, boo?” Melody pulls me out of my thoughts.

“What can I do?” I shrug sadly. “I have to leave. I can’t stay here, not after everything that’s happened.”

Bella offers me her hand over the seat and I take it. “Do you want us to help you pack?”

“No, I didn’t bring much, anyway. It’ll just take me a few minutes, and whatever I leave here, I’ll figure out a time to meet with Karine to get it back.”

“I’m sorry, hon.” Melody pulls into Darian’s driveway. “I wish you guys didn’t have to end it this way.”

Me, too.

I force a smile, trying to lighten the mood and pretending I’m still whole inside. “It was my fault. I broke one of my guiding principles and fell in love with a good-looking man who turned my brain into mush.”

Bella gives me a knowing smile that says I can’t fool her. “Do you think you can try talking to him again? Maybe you both just needed a little space to think.”

I wipe my nose with the back of my hand. “He didn’t seem like he wanted to speak, but his last words to me made it clear we were over.”

Both Melody and Bella stay quiet, absorbing my decision.

“I’m sorry about today.” I pull my camera strap on my shoulder, getting ready to get out of the car. “I know you guys wanted me to go out with you tonight, but I think I’m just going to drive back home.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Melody gives me an understanding smile.

I stop on my way out of her car, remembering. “God, I’ve been such a shitty friend. I didn’t even ask how things went with Liam.” I lean around the seat to look at Bella. “And we didn’t even talk more about everything you’re going through. Bells, I’m so sorry. You’ve got so much you’re dealing with right now, and I just completely took over with my sob story.”

Bella shakes her head. “We have time to talk about my stuff later. Don’t worry. I’m actually good with my decision. My mom’s going to be so disappointed that I’m even in this position, but she’ll have to get over it.”

“She’s a lot more level-headed than my mom,” I supply, knowing that while my aunt won’t be thrilled with the fact that her twenty-one-year-old daughter is pregnant, she’ll be supportive. I lift a brow. “By the way, did I see something between you and Garrett?”

Bella tries to fight a smile, but Melody reaches over and tickles her. “Yes! Yes, you did see something between our Bells and that fine-ass pilot friend of yours. If it’s not too on-the-nose, I’d say she was on cloud nine today!”

“Shut up.” Bella bats Melody’s arm playfully before her expression becomes forlorn. “With everything going on with me, I don’t plan on taking this past friendship. No guy wants my kind of complication in his life.”

“Don’t say that, Bells.” I squeeze Bella’s shoulder. “I promise you’ll find someone who’ll make you happy one day.” Bella doesn’t respond, and I try to lighten the mood by changing the subject to Melody. “And what about you? Did you like Liam?”

“Like him?” she repeats, as if it’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever asked. “He is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen and so flippin’ sweet! We’re all going out tonight–the twins, Liam, Bella, and me. I wish you and Darian could have come too, but . . ..”

My shoulders sag. “I better go and get everything done. I don’t want to be too late driving back today.” I fake a smile. “Have fun tonight. I’ll call you guys later.”

The girls lean back to give me a hug, and I make my way into the house. It’s quiet, with nothing but the echoes of Arman’s laughter and Darian’s murmured words bouncing off the walls.

The same echoes that’ll fill my ears and heart from here on out.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Darian

“Are you a fucking idiot?” Garrett storms into my office with Dean tagging behind him just as I’m heading out.

“I get that you’ve had a lot thrown at you today, man, but what in the actual fuck? Why did you take it out of Rani? She didn’t deserve that shit,” Dean adds.

I scrub my hands down my face, the back of my hand still throbbing. “Can you assholes give me a fucking minute? Can everyone just give me one fucking minute?”

“Why? So you can overthink this and find a way to fuck up your relationship even more?” Garrett seethes.

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