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“I left Rory before I found out the truth. Get over yourself, Puck Kelly!”
He takes a step back, speechless.
I stab my finger into my chest. “That choice was mine to make, not yours.”
I omit the fact that I left Rory because of my feelings for Punky as that isn’t the only reason. Rory is a wonderful man, and he’ll make some lucky girl happy one day, but that girl isn’t me.
“Ye broke off the engagement?” he asks softly.
In response, I hold up my ringless finger.
“Why? I thought Rory made ya happy. I don’t understand it.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t either,” I reply, but Punky doesn’t buy it. “It seems I’m happier on my own. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to fetch my things from the hotel.”
“Babydoll,” Punky says, reaching for me.
For the first time in my life, I recoil from his touch. “Don’t. Thank you for saving my life, but I am done. You should have told me the truth, and now, I don’t trust you.”
He lowers his eyes, my words wounding him.
I know I’m a hypocrite for being angry, as I lied to him once, but this is totally different. I lied because I didn’t have a choice, but he did. The ball is, and has always been, in Punky’s court.
Pushing past him, I grab a pair of his sweats and cuff them at the ankle since they’re about three sizes too long. I slip on my ruined T-shirt and Chucks and grab my leather backpack, which I’m thankful I still have.
“Baby, please don’t leave. Yer still hurt. I’ll go get yer things,” Punky says, walking into the bedroom.
“No,” I firmly state. “I need time to think. Away from you. I didn’t want to believe them, but to finally hear the truth come from you…I wish you reallyweremy brother, so I could fucking stop loving you.”
A heavy sigh leaves him.
Not bothering with goodbyes—as we’ve had enough of those—I walk out the door and don’t look back. Sadly, the person in front of me isn’t any better.
“Hi,” Darcy says, getting out of her car.
“He’s all yours,” I reply, storming past her.
She doesn’t know what to say.
“Babydoll!” Punky screams, chasing after me.
But I don’t stop.
“Cami!”
He knows better than to touch me, so he runs in front of me, forcing me to stop as he blocks my path.
“Please don’t go. Let me explain.”
“The time to explain has come and gone. You made your choice, and this is me, making mine.”
I attempt to walk around him, but he stands his ground. “Y’ve always been my choice!” he cries, arms out wide. “I thought I was doin’ the right thing. I’m sorry.”
A part of me softens as I can read his sincerity. But the stubbornness within scolds me for being so weak. “Well, you thought wrong. I’m not some damsel in distress who needs rescuing.”
“I know that,” he counters angrily. “I just wanted ye to be happy. You and Rory. I can’t offer ya that.”
“Oh, enough! I’ve had it with your self-sacrifice bullshit,” I exclaim. “A man without friends is a man without power, and where I’m standing, you’re fucking powerless!”
