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“To the bathroom,” I reply. “Is that okay with you? Or do you want me to just pee here in front of everyone? I mean, I might as well since all these men now own me.”
Her nostrils flare. “Watch your tone with me.”
“Or what?” I lean toward her. “I no longer live under your roof, which is the only positive thing in this fucking hell of a life I now have to live.” With that, I wrench my arm away from her and bolt out the door.
Tears veil my vision, and my dress swishes across the floor as I make a beeline for the restroom. The moment I step foot into it, I collapse to the floor and start hysterically sobbing. My chest heaves with each desperate breath I attempt to take.
I can’t breathe.
I can’t do this.
“Al.” Jessa’s voice cuts through my crying.
I glance up and find her standing by the door, staring down at me with wide eyes.
“Oh, babe, I’m so sorry.” She rushes toward me, sinks down onto the floor, and wraps her arms around me. “I should’ve known you weren’t keeping it together as well as you were pretending you were.”
I lean into her and continue to cry, déjà vu tugging at my mind. We’ve been here before, right after I smacked Ryder across the face that day in the high school hallway.
I cry for what feels like an eternity until my eyes run dry. Then I just sit there, leaning into her.
“How did you know I was in here?” I finally ask, my voice hoarse.
“Blaise texted me,” she explains. “He said you ran out of the room, looking like you were about to fall apart, and that I needed to find and help you.”
I smash my lips together, refusing to be touched by this. “He’s still an asshole.”
“I know.” She smooths her hand over her head.
We fall silent again as we remain perfectly still. Part of me dreams we can stay this way forever, never moving forward, never moving at all.
Just existing in the silence forever.
Jessa is the one crying now as Ryder, Reece, Blaise, and I leave the building. A limo is parked out front, and bodyguards have been strategically placed around the area. Once we get inside, we’ll be taken to a place that’s supposed to be our new home. I’ve never even seen it, and I have a feeling it’ll be as cold as the room we signed the contracts in.
“Call me as soon as you can!” Jessa shouts at me as I make my way toward the exit doors.
People are standing around the area, watching us leave and talking amongst each other. Our fathers and mothers have already left and are probably heading to their homes in their own limos.
“I promise!” I shout then wave at her.
She waves back.
Henry is standing beside her and pulls her against him while whispering something in her ear. She grins, and I have to look away as the envy of her freedom of choice burns too hot inside me. Instead, I focus on one foot in front of the other as I descend the stairs.
The guys walk in front of me with Ryder in the lead, Reece in the middle, and Blaise right in front of me.
As we finally make it outside and into the cool air where fewer people are standing, Reece loosens his tie and mutters, “Thank God.”
Ryder quickens his stride as he heads straight for the limo parked at the curb. The driver is waiting by the door and opens it when he spots Ryder nearing. Ryder climbs in without giving him a glance, and Reece follows, ducking inside the back. Blaise, however, slows to a stop and tells the driver, “You can get in.”
Nodding, the driver hurries and climbs into the driver’s seat.
Blaise looks at me then and offers me his hand. I stubbornly ignore it and gather my dress so I can climb in. It’s a failed attempt, the fabric too binding and flowing, and I damn near trip and fall on my ass.
Once I regain my balance, I glance at Blaise, who offers me his hand again. I hesitate, knowing the instant I climb into the limo, I’ll be alone with the three of them for the first time in years. But knowing I don’t have another choice, I take Blaise’s hand and let him help me get into the back of the limo.
Ryder and Reece are sitting on the opposite side of where I take a seat and Blaise slides in beside me, pulling the door shut behind him.
