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Miles fist pumps me, a huge smile spreads across his face. “We. Fucking. Did. It.”
“Yeah. We did it.” I’d like to be as happy as Miles is, but I’m not. When I was on my final slide, the reality of what we’re doing hit me. Miles and I are selling the company we built. When Jacoby International takes over, life as we know it will change.
More than the stress of the acquisition, it’s the distance between Shay and me that gnaws at my insides. Our most recent conversation replays on a loop in my mind—a chaotic mix of miscommunication, unspoken fears, and pent-up emotions.
“Wanna go out and celebrate?”‘ Miles heads toward the door. “Or, do you have plans with my sister?”
He knows something’s up. I’m glad he hasn’t asked, though. We’re past the point of my best friend involving himself in my relationship with his sister. Regardless of the outcome, we have to navigate our relationship on our own.
I shake my head. “No on both counts. I think I need to go home and crash.”
“I get it. This is a big deal, dude.” He steps toward me and we side hug. “Let’s do something to commemorate—me and you. Soon.”
Lightly pounding his back with my fist, I feel bad I’m blowing him off. If things were different, he and I would be going on a tear tonight. “Yeah, we will.”
After I make my way back to my office, I flop on my sofa and turn on my phone.
Sit back up. I’ve missed a text from Shay.
Shay: Flirt Alert.
My phone vibrates, it’s her.
“Shay?” I’m tentative when I answer because I’m not certain where her head is at.
“I won’t keep you because I know you have a full day, but when you’re done can you come pick me up?” Shay’s energy is on ten thousand. “I’m at my parents’ house.”
“We’re done.” I resist the urge to ask about her well-being, though I’m worried. It’s a trigger for her, though and we have a lot to work through without me adding to the tension.
She’s silent for half a second. “Did you get my text?”
“Yeah.”
I hear her take a deep breath. “I miss you. Let’s talk?”
“Yeah?“ Relief courses through me. The urge to rush to her side is overwhelming. “I’ll leave now. Be there in a half hour.”
On the way over, I try not to speed. Try to remain calm. Try not to feel road rage at every stupid fucking driver who’s between me and my girl.
All that matters to me is fixing things with Shay.
When I pull up to her parents’ house, I find the front door ajar. Pushing it open, I feel the familiar warmth of the home I’ve spent so much time in over the years. It feels comforting.
There’s no sign of her in the living room. She’s not in the kitchen. I check the back garden, nothing. I start to panic. What if she was having an episode? What if she has no idea she called me? Frantic, I bound up the stairs to where her room used to be.
I cautiously push the door open, unsure of what I’m going to find.
Shay sits waiting on the little loveseat by her window, her liquid blue eyes bore into mine. She wears sleep shorts and a white tank top. Her nipples are perfectly visible through the thin fabric. Her face is fresh, no makeup, and her hair is up in a top knot.
I can tell she’s been crying, which breaks my heart. Yet, she’s still radiant in her vulnerability.
“Shay.” I take a deep breath. “I’m so, so sorry for everything.”
“No, please don’t apologize.” She bites her lower lip. “Austin, I’ve been doing some thinking. We’ve both been caught up in our own baggage. I realize I’m pushing you to confirm your commitment to me, which is unfair. I’m not going to demand things of you before you’re ready. We haven’t been together long…”
“Stop it.” I sit next to her on the couch. Our fingers entwine.
She slumps back against the cushions, her eyes squeeze shut.
