Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 86826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
His gaze is flat and lusterless. “I don’t know what you want me to say, Harper.”
“I want you to stop acting like I’m insane for noticing that something’s wrong.”
Finally, he exhales and leans back in the chair. “I’ve had a difficult few days.”
I throw my hands wide. “And your solution is to completely shut me out?”
“I didn’t shut you out. I’m only human, Harper. I can’t be everything to everyone all the time.”
I laugh then because the denial is so outrageous I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “I’m not asking you to be superhuman, Julian. I’m just looking for an adult response. I mean, you barely speak to me. You won’t answer questions. Every conversation it’s as if I’m bothering you.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t be dramatic.”
“What?” My voice rises despite myself. “Tell me what the hell changed, Julian, because two weeks ago you were telling me you wanted a future with me and now I can barely get you to stay on the phone for ten seconds.”
“You’re making this bigger than it is.”
“There it is,” I snap. “That thing you keep doing.”
His eyes finally cut toward me. “What thing?”
“You keep trying to make me feel crazy for reacting to your behavior.”
“I’m not gaslighting you, Harper.”
“Then stop acting like nothing’s happened!”
Julian rises abruptly from the chair then. I step back on instinct.
He looks wrecked, but I’m too hurt now to let that stop me. “What did I do? Seriously, Julian. What happened? Because it’s like I’m standing here being punished for a misstep I don’t even know I took.”
His eyes close. “You didn’t do anything.”
“Then why are you pushing me away?”
“I’m not pushing you away.”
“Stop saying that!” I cry out. “Stop telling me reality isn’t reality.”
The fire in the ornate fireplace cracks loudly between us. He drains the rest of the scotch in one long swallow, then sets the glass down.
“Harper,” he says tiredly, “I don’t know what the hell you want from me.”
“I want honesty.”
“I’m trying… I just… I don’t have anything more to give right now.”
The words are a dagger in my chest.
“You know what the worst part is?” I ask. Julian’s eyes lift to mine. “I really believed you. I believed every single thing you said to me,” I continue, my voice shaking now despite my best efforts. “When you said you wanted this. When you said you didn’t want to miss your chance with me.” I press one hand flat against my chest trying to keep myself from physically unraveling. “I let myself trust you.”
“Harper—”
“But I can’t keep begging someone to let me love them,” I whisper.
“Harper… I’m giving you everything.”
“What you’re giving me,” I say softly, “just isn’t good enough. Goodbye, Julian.”
I turn around because I know what happens if I don’t. If I stay, he’ll keep breaking my heart one piece at a time while pretending it’s not happening.
So I force myself forward, toward the exit of his study.
Percy appears near the foyer the second I emerge, and one look at my face drains the color from his own. “Oh, Ms. Hawthorne,” he says quietly.
I shake my head hard, unable to speak because if I open my mouth right now, I will shatter.
My hands fumble uselessly with my coat. Percy moves like he wants to help me, to comfort me, but despite his good intentions, I know there’s nothing to be done.
Except for me to leave. So I do. I press my shaking right hand against my mouth to hold in the sob trying to escape.
Then finally, completely brokenhearted, I walk away from Julian Langley.
Worse yet… he lets me.
Chapter 29
Julian
The private terminal we fly out of is luxurious. I built it to ensure it would provide enough peace from the distractions of the outside world, and peace is exactly what I need.
The Vipers have our first extended western road trip. Five games in eight days.
Distance sounds appealing. I usually wouldn’t go on a road trip this long, but I need to get out of NYC.
I step through the terminal doors rolling my large suitcase and immediately spot Tanner Wylie leaning against one of the chairs near the boarding area, coffee in hand. He’s dressed in a black Vipers quarter zip and looking far too awake for six thirty in the morning.
The second he sees me, he grins. “Boss man.”
“Tanner.”
He takes one look at my face and winces dramatically. “All good?”
“Early mornings aren’t my strong suit.”
Which is a lie. I’m an early riser by nature and believe all successful people are. I just don’t want to explain that I haven’t been sleeping well.
“I’m serious,” he says, pushing off the chair and walking over. “You look like you didn’t get much sleep.”
Apparently, I don’t need to explain it. It’s written all over my haggard face. “I plan on spending the entire flight catching up on it,” I say, offering a weak smile.