With a sigh, I stand, taking one last, lingering glance around.
Then I head upstairs.
My heart squeezes inside my chest when I stare at the closed bedroom door.
I can’t do it. It hurts too much.
If I go in there, I might not leave again.
I turn around and hurry back to the patio doors. I take one last look around before exiting, bolting over the railing like I’m being chased by a ghost, racing across the backyard to the woods.
Once I hit the tree line, I turn around, staring longingly at the familiar house.
Tears blur my vision as I duck my head and cross my arms over my chest. As if I can keep all the pain bottled up inside.
I begin walking home, hurting in a way I haven’t for a long time.
Time to return home to a big, empty house.
And another long, lonely night without being around Sebastian.
28
SEBASTIAN
Drew is going on about the new pool table, his excitement evident by the way he’s flailing his hands around.
But I’m barely paying attention.
The second I stepped inside the house, the air felt… different. My eyes darted around, but everything was as I left it.
Drew followed me to the kitchen, still rambling about the pool table. But I wasn’t listening.
I swear I smell Ivy’s vanilla-sugar scent.
Maybe I’m going crazy.
The urge to check my bedroom hits hard. But I can’t have Drew following me.
I reach into the fridge and grab the wine. “How about a celebratory glass?”
Drew stops mid-sentence, blinking at me. “Sure.”
I grab it, then two glasses. I pour one for him and hand it to him. Then I pour one for me, knowing what I have to do.
Here goes nothing.
I raise my glass. “To new beginnings.”
Drew lifts his glass, bumping it against mine. He takes a sip, his eyes shining with happiness. For a moment, I’m envious.
As I lower my glass, I deliberately spill it on my shirt, hoping it looks like it slipped from my hand. “Shit.”
Drew laughs. “Clumsy today, bro?”
I give him a grin, reaching for some paper towels. “Apparently.” I dab at it, then gesture toward the stairs. “I’m gonna change.”
He nods and resumes drinking his wine, humming happily.
