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Anger flared over his face. His jaw could cut glass, he was clenching it so tight. “You’re saying I’m like those—”
“No!” I exploded, my hands went in the air, and he moved at that small opening.
He was so fast. He was across the room and he got his bag back, grabbing his phone and wallet as well. He started for the door.
“Brett, if you go out that door—” I cut myself off because what?
What was I willing to say because I needed to mean it. I couldn’t threaten something and not follow through. But it would affect me and he wasn’t hearing that part. He needed to hear that and understand it. This wasn’t the Brett I knew, the one who said he’d do anything for me.
Where was he going? It must be that bad for him to go against what he vowed to me not long ago.
He stopped, his hand on the door, his back turned to me. He was waiting for me to finish what I started.
Anger surged through me, heating me up. “This is going to affect me, if you leave me here. Are you understanding that?”
He turned back to me, slowly, but locked down. A wall had come over him. “Why are you not getting this isn’t normal? That where I’m going, you can’t—” His voice broke. The wall came down, but I only saw how hardened he’d become. This was almost a stranger.
“You can’t go there. Ever. I vowed to myself that I’d never let you see—”
Some of my hurt was starting to shift aside. There was an opening, though it was small. I came around the bed. “See what? See where?”
Haunted pain that I’d never seen in Brett showed suddenly. He didn’t shove it back. He let me see it. “I have to go home.”
“Home?”
“To Roussou. After we left last night, something happened and Stevie had a breakdown. Will texted me at three putting me on guard in case they might need me to go to their room. Ten minutes later, he said everything was fine. Then he showed up down here because it’s not. Whatever Stevie initially said to them, she must’ve changed her mind because he came to let me know they’re leaving. I’m going too.”
There was a pit in my stomach. “Why you?”
He opened his mouth, but I could see he wasn’t going to be honest.
This was Roussou Brett.
I didn’t know this Brett, and he didn’t want me to know him. That was blaringly obvious. Let me in, say all the pretty words, when he’s fine. When his shit is good and he doesn’t need to be the vulnerable one, but the minute the shoe shifts to the other foot, it’s a whole different story. Suddenly I’m supposed to be jetted away where I’m sure he has people to escort me to his place, where I could go back into hiding, while he was going home to bleed.
No fucking thank you. I was so mad that it was burning me up.
“Someone needs to deal with my sister, and there’s no way in hell I’m putting Will or Harmony through that. So far she’s stayed away, but this is different. My sister is toxic. Will’s stayed away. He hasn’t needed to handle her, and I know my sister the best. I—”
My head was whirling, but I nodded. “You have to be there. I’m hearing you.” I’d already washed and dressed. Reaching for my sandals, I pulled them on and started putting together my own bag.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going with you.”
His eyes flashed again. “Billi—”
“Don’t,” I clipped out, continuing to gather my things. My heart was pounding, and I raced as if I didn’t get everything ready in time, he would literally leave.
“Don’t do this. Go back to bed. I know some people. They’re going to take you to the airport and go with you until you get on the plane, and I have other people who’ll pick you up when you arrive. They’ll escort you to my home. You’ll be safe until I get back.”
He was still in the room, that meant he wasn’t ready to cut and run. Not yet.
I moved faster, grabbing my Kings sweatshirt at the last minute. This one was my favorite. It was Brett’s with his last name, and for a moment, I hesitated before picking it up. A heavy silence came over the room as Brett watched me, and then I grabbed it. No matter what happened next, it’d always be my favorite.
I’d always want to keep it close.
I pulled it on and it fell just past my thighs, over my pants. Reaching for a Kings ballcap, I pulled my hair through it, letting it fall down my back as I pulled the cap low on my forehead. It was too early for sunglasses, but I still kept them in my hand. If needed, I could slip them on. With my bag on my back, my purse inside, and my phone in my hand, I lifted up my chin and gazed coolly at him.
