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“Shut up.” She launched out of her seat like she’d been shocked by a bolt of lightning. “Shut up. I never want to hear that name again.”
My delivery sucked, but at least she knew. “He needs you to match and possibly donate a kidney.”
“No. It can’t be true.” She leaned over me, bracing her hands on the armrests in a frightening way, and then just as quickly pulled back.
“If you can’t, or don’t, or would rather not, that’s fair.” I stared up into her face. All around me swirled hatred and anger, and it was robbing me of my breath and focus. “Regardless of your decision, one of his final dying wishes is to see you one last time.”
“No! Never.” She jumped back, nearly into the fire. “No. No.”
Without another word, she stormed between the houses, and the unmistakable sound of tires screeching echoed between the houses as she sped off.
Whoops. Not the reaction I’d thought I’d get. Guess I thought she’d be a little more cooperative.
Landon marched across the beach and stood beside me, confusion colouring his words. “What the hell just happened?”
Chapter Twelve
With his hands firmly on his hips, Landon stared down at me. “What did you say? Cedar never leaves a party early, and certainly never leaves it like that.”
Blankly, I turned to the darkened space between the houses, out to the street with the muted lights, willing her to appear and come back to the party. No matter how hard I mentally begged, she never materialised.
Returning my focus to Landon, my shoulders drooped. The group of people, friends I’d had for a few lighthearted hours, now sent quizzical and confused expressions in my direction, but mostly aimed at Landon, probably wondering why he’d bought a firecracker along.
Mitch, rushing up the back of the house with Lily close on his heels, was finger-punching his phone’s display. He didn’t glance in my direction once.
Lily was shouting for him to go, how she’ll watch the kids.
The rest of the group walked across the beach, inching toward the house, leaving Landon with me.
“What happened?” Landon’s voice boomed.
“I’m sorry, but I have to go too.” I’d gone too far, and the weight of his angry stare was crippling me.
There was so much anger and confusion wrapping around me and piercing my soul. It was hard to breathe, and I needed to get away. Desperately.
Everyone seemed poised for an answer I didn’t feel ready to give, mainly because I didn’t know how. I felt three inches tall, if that.
“I’m so sorry.” My voice cracked.
Footstep after footstep, I pounded away, but Landon caught up.
“Libby, talk to me. You promised to be honest with me.” His voice softened more. “What happened?”
I shrugged as my gaze jumped around from the fire to Eric back to the chairs to Iris and quickly flew over Landon’s face. Tears threatened to spill down my cheeks, and a wave of dizziness washed over me. “I screwed up. Big time. That’s not how I wanted to tell her. I didn’t know how to stop once I started. It all fell out. I’m so sorry.”
He reached for my arm which I shook free of, keeping my eyes firmly focused on his sandals.
I couldn’t let him see the misery threatening to explode out of me, and I wasn’t about to cry in front of him. Women weren’t supposed to cry as men thought them weak, and if nothing else, Landon needed to remember me as someone stronger than that, even if I had just ruined everything.
“Please. Let me go.” My voice cracked with each breath.
Cool air enveloped my hand when he retracted his warm grip. Cowardly, I stormed away, chin to my chest. Once I was under the glare of the weird orange glow bathing the streets, I started running. Not a leisurely jog, but a full-out sprint, and I pounded the pavement so hard it cracked my chest wide open allowing the tears to burst free of their holds. Amazingly enough, allowing them out felt good. Like the pressure had been released.
Slowing down and grasping for air, I turned onto the road leading back to my apartment.
Lights flashed behind me, and I stepped off the road onto the grass. A car pulled up and Landon’s voice called out.
“Libby, get in the car, please. Let’s talk about this.”
