Page 113 of Julian

The fire in the ornate fireplace cracks loudly between us. He drains the rest of the scotch in one long swallow, then sets the glass down.

“Harper,” he says tiredly, “I don’t know what the hell you want from me.”

“I want honesty.”

“I’m trying… I just… I don’t have anything more to give right now.”

The words are a dagger in my chest.

“You know what the worst part is?” I ask. Julian’s eyes lift to mine. “I really believed you. I believed every single thing you said to me,” I continue, my voice shaking now despite my best efforts. “When you said you wanted this. When you said you didn’t want to miss your chance with me.” I press one hand flat against my chest trying to keep myself from physically unraveling. “I let myself trust you.”

“Harper—”

“But I can’t keep begging someone to let me love them,” I whisper.

“Harper… I’m giving you everything.”

“What you’re giving me,” I say softly, “just isn’t good enough. Goodbye, Julian.”

I turn around because I know what happens if I don’t. If I stay, he’ll keep breaking my heart one piece at a time while pretending it’s not happening.

So I force myself forward, toward the exit of his study.

Percy appears near the foyer the second I emerge, and one look at my face drains the color from his own. “Oh, Ms. Hawthorne,” he says quietly.

I shake my head hard, unable to speak because if I open my mouth right now, I will shatter.

My hands fumble uselessly with my coat. Percy moves like he wants to help me, to comfort me, but despite his good intentions, I know there’s nothing to be done.

Except for me to leave. So I do. I press my shaking right hand against my mouth to hold in the sob trying to escape.

Then finally, completely brokenhearted, I walk away from Julian Langley.

Worse yet… he lets me.

Chapter 29

Julian

The private terminal we fly out of is luxurious. I built it to ensure it would provide enough peace from the distractions of the outside world, and peace is exactly what I need.

The Vipers have our first extended western road trip. Five games in eight days.

Distance sounds appealing. I usually wouldn’t go on a road trip this long, but I need to get out of NYC.

I step through the terminal doors rolling my large suitcase and immediately spot Tanner Wylie leaning against one of the chairs near the boarding area, coffee in hand. He’s dressed in a black Vipers quarter zip and looking far too awake for six thirty in the morning.

The second he sees me, he grins. “Boss man.”

“Tanner.”

He takes one look at my face and winces dramatically. “All good?”

“Early mornings aren’t my strong suit.”

Which is a lie. I’m an early riser by nature and believe all successful people are. I just don’t want to explain that I haven’t been sleeping well.

“I’m serious,” he says, pushing off the chair and walking over. “You look like you didn’t get much sleep.”