Breaking Even(91)
When I get home, there are several vases of roses, and all of them have balloons attached that say I’m sorry. I just want him to hold me. More than anything, I want to be in his arms, because he makes the worst day better. I miss being able to breathe.
But until he’s ready to admit this thing can go deeper, we’ll be stuck in limbo. And I’ll only ever know the parts of him that he wants to show. That night he broke me, I realized there’s so much more to him than he’ll ever share with me. He’ll keep me at arm’s length, and I’ll never have him. Not really.
He’s in pain, but he lives in denial. Just like he denies his feelings for me. I just wish he’d stop fighting the truth. But I know he never will, even though I’m still foolishly holding out hope.
“These have been coming all day,” Maggie says, motioning to the roses as she steps out onto the porch. “I’ve started making them leave ‘em all out here.”
She looks over my shoulder at Rye’s house, but I don’t. I know he’s waiting for me to do just that.
“I need liquor. Lots and lots of liquor.”
***
RYE
Brin’s car has been gone for two straight days. Where the hell is she?
I’d go to the museum, but I’m afraid she’ll cause a scene and lose her job. And then she’d really hate me.
“What are you doing?” Wren asks as I walk back into my house.
“Just got back from delivering a few goodies,” I say with a careless shrug.
“Pranks? You think that’s a good idea under the circumstances?”
“Roses haven’t worked, jewelry would be insulting to her, and... I’m going crazy without her, Wren. I just want her back. This is how I got her the first time.”
He sighs as he looks out the window with me. “Then maybe it’s time to face how you really fucking feel about her. I won’t pretend to understand what all you went through, but maybe Brin was dropped off across the street from you for a reason. Ash healed Tag. Dane healed Rain—and the other way around... Maybe Brin is what is going to heal you.”
“Gee, Dr. Phil, any more great wisdom to share?” I ask with a sarcastic lilt, and he rolls his eyes.
“Just trying to fucking help.”
Wren becomes a forgotten fixture when a cab pulls up, and Brin steps out after paying the guy. What the fucking hell is going on?
I’m running across the street before I know it, and she’s turning to face me just as she unlocks the door to her house.
“You need to shave,” she says, surprising me for long enough to get the door almost shut before I can speak.
“Brin, where’s your car?” I ask, shouldering through the door before she can lock it on me.
She curses under her breath and glares at the door like it just betrayed her. I give the two of them a moment, but she finally turns back to me as I stare expectantly.
“It’s getting some work done.”
All the worst possible scenarios rattle around in my head as the gut-clenching feeling invades.
“Did you wreck? Are you okay? Have you been in the hospital or something?”
She sighs as she drops her purse to the floor, and then she comes over to me. I glance down at her work attire, and a little relief settles in my bones. She wouldn’t be at work if she was hurt.
When she grabs the back of my neck, I almost bash my mouth into hers for the kiss I’ve been starving for.
My hands are on her, my body pushes against her, and I can’t get enough of her taste when she gives me what I’ve been desperately missing. She jumps up and wraps her legs around me, and I groan into her mouth while pushing her up against the wall. This is so damn right.
Her tongue toys with mine, and I start trying to figure out the best way to get my pants down. But before I can, she pulls back, drops to the ground, and pushes me away when I try to resume the perfect kiss. My mouth opens in disbelief when she goes to open the door.
“Go. I’m fine. Just a bad few days.”
I stand my ground and give her an incredulous look. “What the hell? You just kissed me.”
“Confused?” she asks, crossing her arms under her perky breasts that jut out from the motion, but it only distracts me for a second.
“Pretty fucking confused, yeah,” I growl.
“Good. Welcome to my hell. We’re even. Now go.”
I try to say something, but I have no idea what to say. She just kissed me, put her legs around me, and now she’s kicking me out just when things were getting good. Is this really how she feels right now? Because I think my head is going to explode.
Chapter 17
***
RYE
Maggie steps out of her car and walks toward me with a frown.