Unforgiven(58)

He takes a few steps toward me and sits down on the bed next to me, careful not to tip over the neatly folded piles of clothes. “I don’t know. But what I do know is that you’re the only person who can right your wrongs.” I let the words sink in and think about everything I need to do. I rest my head on my brother’s shoulder, much like I did when we were kids. He reaches his arm around me and holds me, whispering promises that everything will be fine.
 

 
I tape the last box and shove the remaining clothes into the large suitcase I plan to bring with me. The doorbell rings and Landon abruptly looks up from his phone in concern. I walk to the door and look through the peephole to find Mike and Javier standing on the other side of the door. I turn the lock and open the door just as Mike scoops me up into a giant hug.
“Sweet girl,” he says in a low voice, “what in the world is going on?” He sets me back on my feet and I lean in to Javier, giving him a quick hug.
“Mike, Javier, this is my brother, Landon.” Landon stands up from the couch and shakes each of their hands.
“I got your texts and I’m trying to piece everything together,” Mike says. Javier sits down opposite of Landon and strikes up a conversation. I pull Mike over to the kitchen island, where we sit, and I fill him in on everything.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asks as he holds my hand. “I knew you weren’t happy here, but pills, Lindsay?”
“I know,” I say shamefully. “I’ve talked to Rob, and Jack, my agent, is working to get me out of my contract.”
“You know you don’t just walk away from a contract like that without consequences.” He grimaces.
“Oh, I know. It’s very unlikely I’ll ever work in this business again,” I say humbly. “My name will always be tarnished.”
“You’re too good to walk away, sweetheart.”
“It’s just a job. I need to focus on getting my life in order. The rest will happen as it’s meant to be.”
“You’re wiser than I thought you were.” He leans from his stool and gives me another hug. “So these are the boxes you need me to send?” He taps the top of the brown box addressed to Landon’s house.
“Just these two. Here is a spare key to the condo. If I need anything else, I’ll call you. The lease is paid through the end of the year, so I’ll figure out what I’m doing once I get through treatment.”
“I’m proud of you, you know.”
“Thanks, Mike. You’ve been a great friend to me.”
We say our goodbyes and Landon looks at the watch on his wrist. “We need to get going.” I nod and pull my purse from the kitchen counter. He wheels my large suitcase and I pull a smaller one.
“You ready?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I say quietly. Walking past Jonah’s door, I pause. “Can you wait by the elevator? I need to do something really quick.” He looks at me cautiously. “I’m just going to say goodbye to someone; that’s all.”
“You have two minutes, Lindsay. We have to get to the airport.” I knock on Jonah’s door as I watch Landon pull my suitcase down the hall. I wait a few seconds before I knock again. He’s not answering. I knock one last time before I begin to walk away with my suitcase and guilt the size of Texas hanging over me. As we pull out of the parking garage and onto the busy Phoenix street, I press my forehead against the window and watch as life around me goes on. A tear slips from my eye not because I’m sad to leave, but because I’m sad I failed. I failed at something that I was sure was going to be good for my career and, eventually, my personal life. As Landon turns the corner, I catch a glimpse of Jonah on the street corner. He raises his hand slightly and offers half of a wave. I close my eyes and pretend I don’t see him because, as usual, it’s easier to pretend things and people that matter really don’t.
 

 
Stepping out of the airport, into the humid North Carolina air, brings a sense of peace, an aura of calm through me. “Home,” I whisper when that moist air hits my face. It’s seven in the morning, and even though the air is cool, you can feel the impending heat waiting to make its presence known. I inhale deeply, taking the heavy, humid air into my lungs. I stand outside the airport with my small suitcase while Landon waits at the baggage carousel for my other bag. I lean against a concrete pillar and feel a small smile tug at my lips when I see Reagan’s SUV pull up to the curb. She pulls her sunglasses off her face and places them on top of her head before she opens her door and walks around the front of the car.