Page 94 of The Longshot

All eyes fall onto me, yet it’s Gary’s gaze I have the hardest time focusing on as my eyes combat the tears aching to break free.

“Chelsie.” Hearing him say my name is enough to make the first one to fall down my cheek as I back away from the table.

“I—I’ll be back…” I charge my way out of the house, slamming the door shut behind me as I race into the garden.

The garden.

A once happy place full of childhood memories and laughter, but now it is nothing more than a reminder.

A reminder of that night.

A reminder of him…

I promised myself I’d stop doing this. That I’d stop running away from my problems and confront them head-on. But if that was my promise, then why am I out here? Why have I left Gary to fend for himself?

Christ.

I run my hands through my messy hair, tugging at my roots as my mind urges me to go back. Apologize, and most of all, tell the Goddamn truth. But I can’t. My legs continue to guide me down the garden. The house is so far away that it has become a faded image in the distance.

I just need a few minutes.

I just need some fresh air.

A moment so that I can breathe, settle my thoughts and then I’ll go back inside.

That’s all I need.

To be alone.

“Chelsie.”

TWENTY-FOUR

W I L K S

“Look at what you’ve done now, Mark!” Sarah abruptly stands up from her chair once Chelsie slams the door shut. “What’s wrong with you?” she cries out. “Why would you say that?!”

“I… I don’t know.” Mark stumbles over his words as he pushes himself away from the table. “I wasn’t thinking.”

“Yeah, that’s bloody obvious!” she snaps. “You weren’t thinking, and now look what’s happened. You went and opened up your big gob and completely spoiled the night.”

Mark stands up, rubbing a tired hand over the creases in his forehead. All the while, I’m left stuck in my seat, watching as this catastrophe unfolds in front of my very eyes.

“Tonight was meant to make things better between us three, not worse. You took it too far!” Sarah continues to egg him on. “Not to mention you were rude to our guest.”

This is so uncomfortable.

“I know… I know…” Mark uses his hands to soothe her until his remorse lands upon me. “Listen, Gary,” he says solemnly. “I’m sorry, son. I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way. That was wrong of me, and I?—”

“It’s alright.” I hold up my hand, cutting his apology short. Truthfully, I don’t need to hear it. I’m not mad or offended. If anything, I’m not hurting for me, I’m hurting for her…

Nothing pains me more than seeing my girl with tears in her eyes. It’s enough to light a fire under my ass as I push myself away from this table. “I’m going to go and talk to her,” I tell the two of them, making a beeline towards the door.

“No.” Sarah beats me to it, clutching onto the door handle with all her might. “I will.”

Huh?

“Nope. I’m the one that needs to go.” Mark stops her before she can twist it open. “Not you.”

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