Page 123 of Sterling Fight

“You’re important to me,” Judd says but his voice is distant, yet trembling uncharacteristically. His hands come to his hips, and he blows out a breath before he squints toward the house. “And you need to go.”

“What?” Horror slaps my cheeks. He wants me to leave? I can’t go now.

It was an accident. I haven’t taken it off since he gave it to me, so I’m truly puzzled how it could so easily, so undetectably, slip free. And I can’t leave him. He’ll never forgive me for this infraction.

“I’ll stay. We’ll search everywhere. Maybe get a metal detector.”

“No, firefly.” He nods, the movement slow and methodic. “You can’t miss your meeting.”

Is he prioritizing my meeting over his loss?

“You’ll come with me?” I wave toward him, but I already know the answer.

Judd is shaking his head, glancing back at his feet.

He’ll stay. I’ll go.

Don’t leave me.

Those are the words he once asked of me.

I’m not leaving. Not really. I might be the one going to New York, but it feels like Judd has already left me.

I stare at his impassive features. His gaze staring straight through me rather than at me.

He can’t mean it. He can’t want me to leave. Alone. But he does.

My stomach drops, twisting in disbelief, as silent tears fall down my face unchecked. The bitter, salty taste collects on my lips.

He just promised he’d come with me.

I’ll be there.

I should have known I wasn’t worth any of it.

Suddenly, I’m crushed.

43

[Judd]

As Genie returns to the house alone, I take another moment to survey the surrounding dock. If the ring fell into the water, all might not be lost. I have a metal detector, but I also need help.

I’m numb as I retrace my steps to the house, recalling how I’d just seen the ring on her finger.

It had been there, right?

Genie looked devastated but I had no words. The ring had become my focus. I felt like fucking Golem. My precious.

So much was tied to that ring. My mother. My history. Genie herself.

I had to get it back.

Once inside, I put on some real clothes, and text in the family chat. Might be the first time I’ve initiated contact.

Emergency. Lost mom’s ring. Need help searching.

I don’t know who would show or when or how.