AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hooking her arm with mine, I manage to muster enough energy to pull myself up, using the shelf behind me as leverage.
“Ally.” My voice cracks on her name.
“It’ll be okay, Ash.”
“No. Because I’m in love with a man who thinks I’m just a friend he can have sex with but who’s not good enough to be with.”
Ally mutters something under her breath I don’t catch, but I can assume it’s not good.
Shuffling down the aisle, we make our way past Jim, and he must see the look on my face, because his eyes widen. “Are you okay? Is she okay, Ally?”
“Oh, she’ll be fine, Jim. A migraine just hit her like a ton of bricks. I’ll be back tomorrow for my paints. Thanks.”
“Sure.” He nods, looking concerned.
Ally pushes us out the door, and I walk like a robot to her car. It’s like I’m aware of what’s around me, but it’s all just white noise and a blurry picture.
I fold into the passenger’s seat and methodically buckle up, staring straight ahead, the ice on the windshield my new fascination.
“Ashley, talk to me.”
“About what?”
“What we just heard. What Ryan said.”
“There’s nothing to say. He said his peace, and that’s that. Now, I think it’s time I went home.”
“No, Ash, come on. Don’t leave yet. You can come and stay with Jake and me for a few days.”
“No, Al. I need to go. I can’t be here anymore. I just want to be alone.”
“But–”
“No. Just take me to his house so I can get my stuff while he’s at work.”
Silently, Ally starts the car and backs out of the spot. I know she wants to say something, but it’s not going to help or change my mind in leaving. Ryan was crystal clear in what he said, and I refuse to be here anymore.
Pulling up to his house, my chest tightens. I really grew to love this place. It felt like home.
No.
Shaking my head, I tell Ally, “Just wait for me. I’ll be back in five minutes.”
Climbing out of her car, I walk up to the side door and turn the knob.
Shit.
I don’t have a key.
I’m so stupid. I locked the door behind me earlier without even thinking about a key to get back in.
Groaning, I pound on the door with my fist, collapsing against it. I did this to myself.
I begrudgingly walk back to the car. “I forgot I don’t have a key,” I tell her when I’m enveloped in heat once again. Not that it’s helping. I’m cold from the inside out.
“Oh.”
“Take me to the cottage, please. I’m just going to leave my stuff. Maybe you could stop and pick it all up for me tomorrow and just keep it with you until you come back to Jersey? Whenever that is. I don’t care.”
