Page 3 of Between Love & Ruin

“I know, I know,” I say, softly. “I know I haven’t been as present lately, but I am on a deadline, and with the tour coming up, you know how busy it gets.”

She hums, and I know she won’t let it go so easily.

“Well, if you come visit me soon, then maybe I can forgive you.”

“Lucky for you,” I say with a smile. “I will be coming to New York soon. I have a tour there, remember?”

“It got finalized?” she asks, and I hum, and I can practically imagine the big-ass smile on her face.

Laura Hayes is not only my cousin but my best friend. While my mum and dad died not long after I turned five, I never felt their absence as much while growing up with their family.

Her sister Summer is not that welcoming, but she has a sweet heart, and I know she has been through a lot, so I give her some grace.

After all, she lost the love of her life so young. She was in a relationship with Keith Simson, and since he was older than her, my uncle and aunt rejected their relationship. It was a disaster, and before she could heal from that disaster, Keith passed away in an accident.

It was horrifying, and Summer hasn’t been the same ever since. But now that it has been so many years, I think she is doing well.

Both Laura and Summer have relocated to New York, and they live an amazing life managing the fashion line they created on their own soon after graduating.

“What? I am so excited. I can’t wait till you are here. You know what? Don’t even pack too many outfits. You will only wear our clothing line at the event. I just know you will look so good in them.”

“If you say so,” I say, turning off the heat and pouring the noodles in my bowl.

“I know so,” she says. “Summer will be ecstatic.”

“Are you and Summer back on speaking terms?” I ask

“We talk a little,” she says. “Once she comes to terms with my relationship with Kayla, I will be fine.”

“I hope she does. It has been way too long.”

“Forget about me,” she adds. “Who else is coming with you? I hope not your shitty boyfriend.”

I roll my eyes. While everyone has always asked me to stay with Mark, Laura has always been supportive of my decision to leave him.

“Don’t call him that, and no, he won’t be coming.”

“I am glad. Plus, he is shitty, so I will call him shitty. You should have broken up with him long ago. Instead, you went ahead and bought a place with him in Chicago.”

I have heard the same things again and again. The shittiest part is that all she says is true.

“I know. I don’t like it, but this is how relationships are. You have to adjust a little, compromise a little. It’s not always rainbows and sunshine.”

The words leave a sour taste behind in my mouth, but that is what people keep saying, and seeing the way we are, I am starting to believe it too.

“Bullshit. Who told you that? I have been in a relationship for a long time, and I know that it can be sunshine and rainbows and all that you want. Why do you keep adjusting? You are beautiful and so smart. Any guy other than Mark would be grateful to have you.”

“I don’t see them around, Laura. You know I have never been the one to be in casual relationships. I can’t just break things off with him now, can I?”

I secretly hope she says yes.

“Who says you can’t? Give yourself the chance to explore. You deserve love more than anyone else in this world, Sienna. Do you think Aunt and Uncle would like to see you like this? They adored you. They would want you to be adored by your partner too.”

I know what she is saying is right. After all, my parents did treat me like a princess in the little time they spent with me.

But I don’t believe that I can have that anymore.

“I don’t think I have it in me to go fall in love with someone else.”