That he and his wife had to suffer such a tragedy. That their relationship didn’t last. Everything about his story sucks. “I’m sorry that happened to you. I can’t imagine how difficult that must’ve been. But you should’ve told me. I deserved that much.”
His head falls, and he nudges a leaf with the toe of his shoe. “I know. Fuck. I’m so sorry.”
I can’t say it’s fine because it’s not. I thought our relationship had been built on trust and honesty. Instead, it’s been built on afoundation of lies. Why didn’t he just tell me the truth? Does he not trust me? Am I just someone to fill the gap she left behind? Now that she’s back, is he going to want to be with her instead? They haveyearsof history together. Why wouldn’t he?
I just…
I need a moment to think without him staring at me.
I hold out my hand. “I would like your keys, please.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to leave.”
“You don’t have to?—”
“I do.”
His keys jangle as he withdraws them from his pocket. “Let me drive you.”
I don’t want him to drive me. Right now, I don’t want him near me. “I’d like to be alone. Besides, you have lifeguard duty, remember?” At least that will give me some time to sort my shit out, because standing this close to him, seeing the remorse in his eyes, makes it impossible to think straight. “I assume you can get a ride to the apartment?”
He drops the keys into my palm with a sorrowful nod. “I’m sorry, Loren.”
“I know you are.” But that doesn’t make the lie hurt any less.
CHAPTER 48
ELLIOTT
Chaos
Weirdo.
12:26 PM
Please call me back
I’m so sorry
I don’t even havethe stomach to watch Loren drive away. Today was going so well, and thenthishappened. I stalk down the hill to where Mom and Dad are whispering, no doubt conspiring with each other over this.
They must hear me coming, because both of them look up at the same time, matching frowns on their faces.
“What the hell, Mom?”
Dad stands up taller, stepping between us with his eyes narrowed. “Language, son.”
My language should be the least of their worries, right now. “Why the hell did you invite Alice?” Because I know in my gut that this isherfault. Mom never got over our choice to separate, and she’s been trying to get us back together ever since.
“It’s not your mother’s fault, Elliott,” a woman says from behind me, her smooth, silken tone making the hair at the back of my neck stand on end. “I asked her if it would be all right to come.”
Of course, my ex-wife would be right behind me.
Just when I thought this day couldn’t possibly get any worse. I turn to face the woman I loved for so long. She’s still as beautiful as ever, but when I look at her, all I feel is disappointment. In myself for not being what she needed, but also in her, for being so quick to give us up.
We were supposed to spend our whole lives together, and now, I don’t even know where she lives.
