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I grab Teddy’s wrist. “Stop it, Teddy. Enough. I’ve had enough of it all. Everything. I’m done.”
Teddy pulls back but stays in between us as Clark speaks. “Dayna, please.”
“You know what the joke is, Clark? I thought…” I sigh and shake my head then turn and leave.
I hear Clark shouting. “You thought what, Dayna?”
Rachel makes a beeline for me. “Rach, it’s okay. I’m okay. Stay with Spence, please. I really just want to be on my own.”
I make it into a cab before I break down.
Outside my apartment block, I fumble through my purse trying to find money to pay, which is difficult through fogged eyes. The driver huffs and tuts as he waits for the money, huffing and tutting his way out of a tip.
I slam the cab door behind me and try to find my keys, dropping my bag on the floor. I bend to my hunkers, putting everything back inside. At least I found my keys.
When I stand, I’m face to face with the man I love. “You thought what?” His voice is smooth, calm and deep.
“Go home, Clark.”
He reaches out to my face and rolls his thumb across my wet cheek. “I don’t want to see you cry anymore, baby.”
“Please don’t call me that. It messes with my head.”
“Dayna, I’m not trying to mess with your head. I’m sorry. For everything. I’m sorry I was a dick for four years. I’m sorry I never stood up to my wanker of a father. I’m sorry he ruined us. I’m sorry for every time I’ve hurt you and made you cry. But what your father did, what my father did — they aren’t our demons. I walked away from Layton Oil because I’m not like him. I’m not my father, and I don’t want to become him. You want to know if I did it for you. That’s what you thought.”
I lean into his palm reflexively.
“The answer is yes, Dayna. I could have stayed, fought for the company. Eventually, had my father’s tribe follow me. But I don’t want that anymore, because I know it means I can’t have you.”
“Clark.” I whisper his name but no other words materialise.
“I can’t change who my father is. I can’t change the fact I’m a Layton. But I can make sure it doesn’t have to ruin our future.”
I open my eyes to his. “Clark, I’m drunk. I can’t do this.”
“I know.” I notice for the first time that his cab didn’t leave. “I’m going home because you need time and space. And I’m going to give it to you, on your terms. I don’t want to have you for one night anymore, Dayna. No more. I can’t do it to either of us. I want you, all of you, forever.”
He pulls me to him, and I wrap my arms around his back. He holds my nape, keeping my cheek to his chest so I can hear his heart racing. He kisses my brow then lets me go.
“Go inside,” he whispers. “I’ll wait until you’re in.”
I leave him and head in to my block, glancing back to see him still watching me as the door closes behind me.
