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EVIE
Imade my way down the airstairs from the plane. Keir had tried to explain himself several times, but in the end, I went into the bedroom and shut the door. I had been a fool. He really was the monster he claimed to be. The only positive thing I had going for today was that Mac had been able to stop the tabloids from printing any stories or damning photos of the divorce.
“Evie,” Keir said, following me down.
I shook my head. “There’s nothing to say.”
“Patrick texted me. He wants you to go directly to the pub. I told him I would take you.”
“I’ll get my own ride.” I bit my lip, hoping to hold the tears at bay.
“Evie, I told you. I only said that to get Leonard off my back.”
“It didn’t sound that way to me,” I said. “Besides, I was always just a means to an end. You were right. We should have had a contract.”
He took hold of my arm, turning me so I had to look at him. “I promise you it’s the truth. Leonard was spouting nonsense at me. I shouldn’t have answered him the way I did.”
“Claire was right about you. You are a fucking player.” I took out my phone to order a rideshare, and he grabbed it from me.
“I’ll drive you. And you need to unblock Patrick. I know you’re mad at him, but it’s dangerous that he can’t get a hold of you.”
“Regardless of how this ends between us, we need to go our separate ways,” I reminded him. “It’s best if it’s a clean break.”
“I’m still giving you a ride home.” He took me by the shoulder, leading me to his Aston Martin. I got in, and he shut the door, coming around to the driver’s side.
It was going on noon, and the California sun shone bright overhead amongst fluffy white clouds. He sat down and started the car, pulling away from the airport.
“Last night, what happened between us,” he said. “That was real, Evie, no matter what you think of me right now. That was real.”
Damn.
I felt the first tear slip down my cheek. I was on my way to face Cormac, his father, and my brothers. I needed to remain strong. The last thing I wanted to do was to cry. “It’s fine, Keir.”
“No, it’s not fine.”
“You said you were scared of hurting me. Well, that’s exactly what you’ve done. But I will be fine. I’m always fine.”
“Please don’t say that.” He pulled up in front of the pub and got out, grabbing my suitcase. I waited for him on the sidewalk. “I’ll walk you inside.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’ll go in alone. This is goodbye.”
“Evie, please, let me at least talk to Patrick. I can’t stand the idea of what you’re walking into.”
“No. It will only make things worse.” I took Cormac’s ring out of my purse and slipped it on my finger.
“Can I at least have a hug?” he asked me.
“Let’s just leave it.” I reached for my suitcase.
The door to the pub opened, and Patrick popped his head out. “Thanks for bringing her here,” he said to Keir. “I owe you one.”
“You owe me nothing.”
“Everyone’s waiting for you, Evie,” my brother said, grabbing my suitcase. “Come on.”
I gave Keir a thin smile before turning to go inside.
“You should come too,” Patrick said.
