you. You have to know that. Shit, I can’t believe what a mess I’ve made of everything once again.”
What the hell is he talking about? “Gav, I don’t understand. But it can’t be that bad. I know you are always looking out for me and would never do anything to hurt me.”
“Okay, well just promise you won’t murder me in my sleep later. Deal, darling?”
“Yes, I can definitely promise you that.” I replied laughingly.
“Oh god. Where to even begin? Last night, while you were at the bar with Tyler, it was Ian I was talking to. Darling, I’m so sorry. I know I lied to you but… He just got back into town. Well, he wanted to check on you and make sure you were alright. And unfortunately, I pointed you out just as Tyler made his move.” I groan and put my head in my hands. Ian saw everything; now on top of all the lies now it looked like I was already moving on.
I grumble , “What did he say? What did he see?”
“Oh, honey, don’t. H e knows you love him but it was definitely difficult for him to stand there and watch. His hands kept twitching and fisting at his sides. He was having a hard time controlling himself. He clearly wanted to rip Tyler apart but… Well, he’s so confused and then to witness all of that even though you did push Tyler away… He wanted to talk with you.”
At that moment, the door to Gavin’s room closes. Shit, the poor man is sitting out here fretting over me when Brett is in his room waiting for him. I didn’t know I could feel shittier in this moment. “Gav, we can talk later. I don’t want to keep you from Brett.”
Gavin gives me a confused look as I turn to greet Brett.
“Good morning, Bre…” The words die on my lips. I want to jump from my seat but fear holds me firmly in place. I look again to Gavin not sure what to say or do.
“Please don’t be mad at me.” His voice barely even a whisper. He picks up his coffee and heads back to his room, leaving me alone to face my fear. I need my rock, how could he walk out on me in this moment? My mouth hangs open and I don’t even know what to say or where to begin. Slowly I ra ise my gaze to meet his. He hasn’t taken his eyes off me since he walked in the room but he also made no move to come any closer. The separation is killing me. I jump so suddenly from my stool that it topples over backward. What a time to be clumsy! I right the chair and pick up my mug. Gesturing to the sofa, I move to sit over there. He follows; his countenance is desolate.
If it hadn’t been for the sensations that he still stirred in me , I would have hardly recognized him. His features are downcast, he’s lost weight and doesn’t carry himself with the same pride that he once did. I don’t know whether to hold him or turn away and weep. I want to tell him that I love him, to lay everything at his feet and beg for him to take me into his arms. This seems almost a dream for him to be sitting in my living room, so close and yet so far away. He makes no move to speak either. Neither of us able to find the words to bring us back to the beginning or even a place where we can start again.
My heart is overjoyed at the sight of him but my mind is consumed with what I have put him through, with what he must think of me now and in the very back I still see that picture of Elizabeth and her giant diamond clad finger. Would it be so easy for him to move on? I don’t want to believe it but I know I hurt him with my lies.
He is the first to break the silence. “Celeste?” My name falls like a question from his lips. “I’m sorry I suppose I should call you Lauren.” I don’t want to read into his tone but it’s hard to mistake the sarcasm.
He sits near me but keeps enough space between us that we aren’t touching. His demeanor is cool at best. “Ian,” I begin, “if you don’t want to do this I understand.
What the hell is he talking about? “Gav, I don’t understand. But it can’t be that bad. I know you are always looking out for me and would never do anything to hurt me.”
“Okay, well just promise you won’t murder me in my sleep later. Deal, darling?”
“Yes, I can definitely promise you that.” I replied laughingly.
“Oh god. Where to even begin? Last night, while you were at the bar with Tyler, it was Ian I was talking to. Darling, I’m so sorry. I know I lied to you but… He just got back into town. Well, he wanted to check on you and make sure you were alright. And unfortunately, I pointed you out just as Tyler made his move.” I groan and put my head in my hands. Ian saw everything; now on top of all the lies now it looked like I was already moving on.
I grumble , “What did he say? What did he see?”
“Oh, honey, don’t. H e knows you love him but it was definitely difficult for him to stand there and watch. His hands kept twitching and fisting at his sides. He was having a hard time controlling himself. He clearly wanted to rip Tyler apart but… Well, he’s so confused and then to witness all of that even though you did push Tyler away… He wanted to talk with you.”
At that moment, the door to Gavin’s room closes. Shit, the poor man is sitting out here fretting over me when Brett is in his room waiting for him. I didn’t know I could feel shittier in this moment. “Gav, we can talk later. I don’t want to keep you from Brett.”
Gavin gives me a confused look as I turn to greet Brett.
“Good morning, Bre…” The words die on my lips. I want to jump from my seat but fear holds me firmly in place. I look again to Gavin not sure what to say or do.
“Please don’t be mad at me.” His voice barely even a whisper. He picks up his coffee and heads back to his room, leaving me alone to face my fear. I need my rock, how could he walk out on me in this moment? My mouth hangs open and I don’t even know what to say or where to begin. Slowly I ra ise my gaze to meet his. He hasn’t taken his eyes off me since he walked in the room but he also made no move to come any closer. The separation is killing me. I jump so suddenly from my stool that it topples over backward. What a time to be clumsy! I right the chair and pick up my mug. Gesturing to the sofa, I move to sit over there. He follows; his countenance is desolate.
If it hadn’t been for the sensations that he still stirred in me , I would have hardly recognized him. His features are downcast, he’s lost weight and doesn’t carry himself with the same pride that he once did. I don’t know whether to hold him or turn away and weep. I want to tell him that I love him, to lay everything at his feet and beg for him to take me into his arms. This seems almost a dream for him to be sitting in my living room, so close and yet so far away. He makes no move to speak either. Neither of us able to find the words to bring us back to the beginning or even a place where we can start again.
My heart is overjoyed at the sight of him but my mind is consumed with what I have put him through, with what he must think of me now and in the very back I still see that picture of Elizabeth and her giant diamond clad finger. Would it be so easy for him to move on? I don’t want to believe it but I know I hurt him with my lies.
He is the first to break the silence. “Celeste?” My name falls like a question from his lips. “I’m sorry I suppose I should call you Lauren.” I don’t want to read into his tone but it’s hard to mistake the sarcasm.
He sits near me but keeps enough space between us that we aren’t touching. His demeanor is cool at best. “Ian,” I begin, “if you don’t want to do this I understand.
Similar Books
