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I hope Declan gets the deal. Not because I’m petty or mad, but because I want it to be worth everything he lost to get it—the option of earning my love included.
* * *
The concierge desk calls me a cab to take me to the private airport. By the time I get there, the cabin door is open and the plane is ready for takeoff. I get out of the cab and stare at the plane. I’m hit with an ounce of doubt, wondering if I should turn around and go back to the hotel.
Are you really going to leave him? What if he needs you?
His voice from earlier comes back with a vengeance.
Every team has a leader, and it’s not you.
I shake my head, clearing any lingering doubts.
You’re not going back. Not after he spoke to you like that.
I roll my shoulders back, climb up the stairs to the jet, and take the seat across the aisle from our usual spot. The staff on the plane is limited to a single flight attendant who offers me drinks and snacks. My stomach churns at the idea of eating anything at the moment, so I decline.
Somehow, I hold myself together during the entirety of the flight. Harrison picks me up at the airport, and he is kind enough not to ask me where Declan is. I’m not sure I could handle his question without crying. The way he looks at me makes me wonder if he knows something happened, but he stays quiet as he helps me with my luggage. He drops me off at Cal’s place before taking off.
Up until this point, I’ve been numb and strictly on survival mode. Sure, I shed a couple of tears, but I didn’t truly allow myself to consider everything Declan said until I knock on Cal’s door.
He opens the door. “Hey. What are you doing back here so soon?”
Tears leak from my eyes before I have a chance to blink them away.
“Oh shit.” He pulls me into his place and shuts the door.
His arms wrap around me, holding me up so my legs don’t give out. My tears turn into full-body sobs. He listens to me while I recount everything that happened today, with him only interrupting to ask a couple of questions.
He doesn’t speak until I stop. “He’s an idiot for telling you all that crap. The only thing that was shitty about today was his attitude.”
I pull away and wince at the tear-stained spot on his shirt. “He said I failed.”
“Hefailedyouthe moment he lost control like that. No one should talk to you like that, least of all him.”
I sniffle. “He was so mad at me.”
“I don’t give a fuck how he felt. It doesn’t make any of it okay.”
My head hangs. “I made a mistake.”
Cal grabs my hand and drags me toward the couch. He disappears before returning with a tissue box, some headache medicine, and a glass of water.
“Thank you.” I look up at him with a wobbly smile.
His frown deepens as he assesses my face. “It’s the least I can do seeing as I’m the one that encouraged him to chase after you.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“I knew he didn’t deserve you.”
I wince, remembering the moment Declan said the same thing. “I—”
“Don’t make excuses for him. The things he said are unacceptable, especially after everything you shared with him.”
I take a deep breath. “Do you mind if I stay here tonight?”
“Guest room is all yours for as long as you want it.”
