Page 114 of Brighter Together

“There’s no place for me in my family.” My voice comes out quieter than I intend.

Tommy’s thumb moves lightly over my cheek. “What does that mean?”

“It means exactly that.”

I look away.

“Please just leave it,” I say.

“Ella—”

“I can’t.”

My eyes burn.

I hate that.

I hate crying even more when Lee is involved.

“I just can’t talk about it right now.”

Tommy studies me for a second.

Then he nods.

“All right.”

Relief hits first.

Guilt follows immediately.

“Let’s go. It’s going to pour down,” I say, take his hand and pull him towards the car park.

By the time we reach his BMW, my hair is damp and sticking to my face.

Tommy unlocks the car and opens the boot.

He throws his jacket over his garment bag and yanks off his tie.

I pull a hair band from my bag and twist my hair up.

I am about to walk towards the passenger side when Tommy catches me gently around the waist.

My heart jumps.

“Ella.”

I close my eyes.

“Seriously, please leave it.”

“This isn’t about your family.”

I turn back. “Oh.”

His hand stays lightly against my stomach.

“What about us?”