AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s not right if it doesn’t feel good to me. Do you want me to end up resenting you for giving up my dream?” I throw my hands in the air. This feels like deja vu.
“You’re not giving it up. You’ll still have it. It’ll buy me time to figure out my next steps.”
“What are you talking about?” I shake my head. “Never mind. I thought you had changed, understood and respected my career choices.” Tears blur my vision. “You’re the same person.”
“I don’t want this life.” I fling my arm in the air.
“You mean the life I have?” His jaw ticks.
“You know what I mean.”
“No, please elaborate. Explain all the ways my life disgusts you.” His nostrils flare.
“It doesn’t disgust me!” I toss my head back, a cynical laugh escaping me. “Nothing about you disgusts me, but I love what I do. You told me you respected that and understood why I wanted a studio in Hartville, but your words and actions right now are betraying that.” I turn around, giving him my back and staring out the huge windows with views of tall buildings.
“Does it make me selfish to turn this down? Maybe. Maybe we’re not meant to be together and are just chasing a teen fantasy.” I turn around, tears streaming down my face. I push them away angrily.
“Don’t say that.” He steps toward me and pauses. “Lex,” he pleads.
I shrug, unable to speak. My lower lip trembles and I look away.
“It could be temporary. Why won’t you even consider it?” He trails his fingers through his hair, tugging at the roots.
“Because I don’t want it. I wouldn’t force you to do something just because the opportunity presented itself.”
“I’d do it. If it meant I could be with you, I wouldn’t doubt it. Your actions are speaking volumes as well, Lex.” His eyes blaze with anger.
“I’m going to go.”
“No.”
“Yes, Hudson. I need space.”
“Don’t leave like this.” The way he looks at me breaks my heart. I thought we could have this again, blend our lives.
“There’s no reason for me to stay. History seems to always repeat itself, and we aren’t safe from it.”
“Lex,” he calls after me. Sobs wrack my body as I walk into the bathroom and lock the door. I lean against it and slide down, clutching my knees.
Was I naïve to believe this time was different? His parents would probably have a good laugh at our failed attempt.
When I finally pick myself off the floor, I get back into the room and hastily pack my bag. My eyes are puffy and red. My reflection finishes breaking what’s left of my heart. I keep my head down and walk through the silent apartment. There’s no sign of Hudson. I swallow back my tears and grab my car keys before heading to the garage.
I sit in my car for a long time, a mess of thoughts clashing together. We had it all, and at the snap of a finger, it’s gone, just like four years ago.
I wipe my eyes and look up. Hudson stands by the open elevators. His gaze pierces me before he turns and enters. Another sob moves through me.
I need to get out of here. I need to go. I pull out, recklessly leaving the garage and driving onto the busy streets. Unlike when I first arrived, I’m driven by anger and frustration instead of fear and nerves. I open the GPS on my phone and see the town name we were going to visit together. Not ready to drive the six hours to Hartville, I turn on the navigation and follow it. Maybe I can start a new life there.
I snort and shake my head. Ridiculous, Lex.
My emotions are haywire the entire three and a half hours it takes me to arrive in Chapel Falls. An hour into the drive, I had to put my phone on Do Not Disturb because it wouldn’t stop ringing and pinging with messages. It was interrupting my GPS directions. It took an extra thirty minutes than it should have since I had to slow down and wipe my eyes throughout the drive.
I feel empty by the time I park near Main Street in this quaint town. I numbly walk along the sidewalk, seeing the town without really looking at it. People stare as I pass them. I can only imagine how horrible I look. My eyes must be bloodshot by now. One person smiles sympathetically, and it takes everything in me not to break down right there.
“Are you okay, dear?” An older woman looks at me with furrowed brows.
I nod, choking on my cry, and keep walking. How can one phone call ruin an entire relationship? Maybe it didn’t. Maybe our relationship was already fractured with uncertainties, and the phone call shined a light on them.
