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“She probably doesn’t.” Eli turned and grabbed a travel mug for her coffee. “But she thinks you were in on firing her.”
“What?” Violet’s eyes widened. “I would never… I didn’t…”
Trailing off, Violet glanced toward the stairs to the bedrooms. This was unacceptable. Anger burst into her chest, and she curled her fingers, making one of the few rash decisions she ever had in her life.
“Would you have time to take me to the airport today?”
Eli’s eyes lit up. “Leaving earlier than planned?”
“Yes, I’m sorry, and the room will be paid for as long as it was booked, I promise.” Violet pressed her hand flat on the cold marble counter. She’d never felt so calm before going into an argument with Diane, but it seeped into her. Resolve. That was what it was.
“I can certainly do that.”
“Thanks.” Violet went to move toward the stairs but a hand on her arm stopped her.
“She was really hurt by it.”
“I’ve no doubt.” Violet pressed her lips together tightly.
“If you’re going to yell, can you do it outside? I don’t want you to wake the other guests.”
“Of course.” Violet nodded and stepped around the edge of the counter, ignoring the fact that she didn’t have coffee yet. It wasn’t even on her mind as she quietly walked up the stairs. The first thing she did was pack up her room and get dressed for the day. Then she stood in front of Diane’s door and drew in a deep breath.
She would remain calm through this. She wouldn’t throw a fit or argue. She wouldn’t yell. She had to keep telling herself that. Calm would be the word of the morning as she told Diane off. Violet knocked, but she didn’t wait for a response as she opened the door and stepped inside. Thankfully, Diane had left it open.
She was curled in her bed, still asleep. Violet sat on the edge of the mattress and shook her arm to wake her up. Diane looked confused, her brow furrowed as she slowly woke up and figured out Violet was there.
“What’s wrong?” Diane asked.
“What exactly did you tell Lando when you fired her?”
“I told her she was no longer working for the team.”
Violet clenched her jaw, then her fingers against her thigh. Diane was the master of not answering questions. Nodding to herself, Violet stared out at the sky as it lightened.
“I’m going home,” she said, so matter-of-factly that she was sure Diane would be confused.
Sure enough, Diane sat up, grabbing for Violet’s hand. “What?”
“I can’t do this anymore, Diane. This isn’t what I want for my life, and you aren’t someone I think I want in it.”
Diane looked wildly at her. “You just told me you loved me.”
“I did.” Violet nodded her agreement. “And I think I was wrong. I don’t love you. I don’t know how I could, you’ve never been anything but cruel to me, ever since we were kids. I put up with it because in a town of twelve hundred, there aren’t a whole lot of options for friends.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I’m done. I’m not going to chase with you, and I’m not going to allow your cruelty to others. I’m leaving, and I’m going home. I’d prefer if I never heard from you again.” Standing up, Violet made to move for the door, but Diane gripped her wrist and tugged her back.
“How can you just leave?” Her voice rose, as if she was going to yell.
Violet stopped and gave her a hard look. “Because there’s nothing here for me anymore, and I want a life where I’m not worried about everything I say and do with you. I want to chase storms with someone who equally wants to be there. I want to find my passion for this again, and I can’t do that with you.”
Without another word, Violet wrenched her hand from Diane’s grasp and left the room. She picked up her bags on the way out and headed downstairs. Eli had pulled the truck up to the house from the barn, and they loaded her stuff into the back. She booked her ticket on the drive, spending an exorbitant amount of money for the last-minute ticket, but she didn’t want to spend any more time with Diane than necessary.
She grinned her thanks when Eli handed over a travel mug of coffee. “Thought you could use this.”
“Thank you. Don’t you need to stay and cook breakfast, though?”
