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ChapterTwenty-Seven
Skye
Gideon watchesme pull away from the curb. He looks defeated. Maybe because I’m the first woman to call him on the way he ended something. I’ve been stewing over this for weeks, and since I’m leaving for North Carolina—not until tomorrow, but he doesn’t need to know that—I decided to tell him what I think of him.
My phone buzzes as I drive. Gideon’s number flashes on the screen. I ignore it. He calls again. I turn my radio up. Wonder if he even realized the stupid song playing when I told him I was in love with him was “The Diary of Jane.” I’ve seen Breaking Benjamin in concert a few times, and it’s always been my favorite of their songs. Now I’ll never hear it again without thinking about Gideon Reece.
This time my phone buzzes with a text. Also from Gideon. I shouldn’t read it while I’m driving, but it’s short.
Answer your damned phone.
His command turns me to a puddle of emotion. I pull over because I’m crying too hard to drive. This time when he calls, I answer it.
“What?”
“So, I’ve been living in St. Louis for a couple of months now? Give or take?”
“And?”
“Well, I haven’t visited the Arch yet.”
Despite the big hole in my heart, I laugh and roll my eyes.
“Um. If I do it, I think it would be better to have a St. Louis native with me. To point things out to me.”
“I’m not a native.”
“Don’t be a pain in the ass.”
I drop my head back to rest on my car seat and close my eyes.
“You broke my heart, Gideon.”
“Let me put it back together.” He sounds as broken as I feel.
“What?”
“I’m sorry, Skye.”
I press my fingers into my eyes trying to stop the tears.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” He sounds surprised.
“Sure. Let’s be friends.” The sarcasm rolls off my tongue. I told myself I wouldn’t do this. I wouldn’t be bitter. I would be cool and collected. I hate myself for giving in to the tiny little need to hurt him back.
“I want more than that.”
“Whatever. Like, what? You want to come for dinner one night a week?”
“Well, sure. But I mean. I was thinking…I’m not sure I’ll ever get married. I just don’t know if that’s for me.”
I bite my tongue before I can ask what the hell that has to do with me.
“But you know…if we had a kid…we could name her Jane.”
I laugh even though that makes me cry harder.
