My eyes sting, but I refuse to cry in front of this woman.
Talon once described her as “fragile.” When I met her, I thought she was quite effervescent, though maybe that was the sangria talking. Now I realize she’s nothing more than a bully.
“I’m sorry, Camilla. I need to leave,” I say, standing.
But she reaches across the table, covering my hand with hers. “I need this to happen by tomorrow or I’ll be making a phone call to Kira, personally.”
Chapter 38
Talon
“Irie.” I can’t answer the door fast enough Thursday night. “I’ve been calling you all day. I thought something happened.”
She isn’t wearing her dimpled smile and she doesn’t run into my arms, wrap her long legs around me, and greet me with a kiss.
Her hands grip the strap of her handbag and she swallows, keeping her gaze low.
“What happened? Are you okay?” I make a move for her arm to guide her inside since she’s standing in the hall, still as a statue, but she jerks out of my reach.
“I’m sorry, Talon,” she finally says. “I don’t think we should date anymore.”
None of this makes sense.
She was here this morning and last night and all day yesterday … the night before that and the night before that.
“Is this because of what I asked you the other day?” I ask. “About moving to Richmond? Because if it is—”
“—no,” she says. “We’re just … we’re moving too fast and we know exactly where this is headed, so I think it’s time we—”
“—no.” It’s my turn to interrupt this time. “I don’t want that. Irie, you don’t want that. I know you don’t. What changed? What happened today?”
She checks her watch. “I have to go.”
“Come in. Let’s talk about this.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. I’ve made my decision.” Her gaze avoids mine.
For the first time in a long time, I’m at a complete loss.
I can’t force her to come inside. I can’t force her to talk this out with me right now.
“I don’t know what happened or what brought this on, Irie, but I know we’ve been spending a lot of time together. I know I came on strong in the beginning,” I say. “If you want space, take it. If you want time to yourself for a bit, that’s fine too. I’ll still be here. I’m not going anywhere. No matter what happens, no matter what you decide, I’ll still love you.”
She tries to say something and stops, and I swear her lips tremble for a second.
“Goodbye, Talon,” she says before turning to leave.
Space. She needs space.
And maybe some time.
But this isn’t the end.
I won’t allow it.
I refuse to make it this far, only to fumble the ball.
Chapter 39
Irie
I pull Aunt Bette’s Crown Vic to a stop at a light a couple blocks from Talon’s place, my sight clouded with thick, salty tears.
I ended it.
But not because of Camilla.
I didn’t do it for her and I didn’t do it because she backed me into a corner.
I did it for him and only him.
I had no idea he hadn’t signed the contract, but when Camilla dropped that on me, I knew exactly why: he’s holding out for me.
As wonderful and magical and lovely as everything is when I’m with him, it’s all so new, so uncertain. I can’t be the reason he walks away from a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Camilla said that if our love was real, we’d be together again someday. While that all sounds good and well, I know the instant he sets foot on Virginia soil and is handed that jersey, he’s going to have his pick of the litter. Women will be lined up everywhere and he’ll be coming fresh off a heartbreak, looking to screw his way into forgetting me.
I wipe a tear from my cheek, knowing that probably isn’t true.
Talon isn’t like that.
Once upon a time I thought he was … but that was before I actually got to know him.
Under his arrogant façade and unapproachable persona is a good man, and one of these days another woman is going to recognize that in him and she’s going to hold onto him for dear life, marry him and have all of his babies, and I’m just going to be a watercolor memory.
I swipe at another tear and another.
They refuse to stop.
And suddenly I’m pulling into Bette’s driveway.
It’s like I blinked and I was home, with no recollection of the drive here.
I kill the engine and check my phone—three missed calls, two voicemails and a text … all from him.
I can’t bring myself to listen to them so I delete them all, and then I silence my phone.
If I let myself hear him out, I know exactly what will happen. I’ll change my mind and I’ll ruin his future. Maybe not now, maybe not in the short term, but in the long run. I don’t want to be the girl he threw it all away for.