Page 155 of If Ever

"I think it's fair to assume that whatever you say is a load of inflated drama," Tom says.

She saunters over to him. I desperately want to shove her out. Instead I stand frozen in place.

"Is that what you think? After everything we went through?"

"Barbie, we were history a long time ago. I was just a stepping stone for you."

"Why are you always so difficult?" She runs her fingers over his shoulder and down his arm. "You want me to say it? Fine." She whispers something in his ear that makes Tom go still. He stares at her, speechless. Barbie tilts her head and shrugs.

What the hell did she say? She's pulling him away from me. Who is this woman and why does she have such power over him?

"Tom?" I need him to acknowledge me during this insanity.

But before he can register my voice, Barbie says, "surprise," watching his face for a reaction. "And if you want to know more, you will talk to me. Now." She hikes her purse over her shoulder and steps over the threshold."

Tom is pale and shaken. "Wait!"

She pauses with a knowing smirk.

"I've got to go with her." There's frustration in his eyes.

There's fear in the pit of my gut.

I want to understand, but I don't. What could possibly make him walk away from me? How can everything be normal, then a stranger walks in and suddenly he changes? I muster my voice.

"Please don't leave," I say the words calmly, but my eyes plead with him.

"I won't be long." He passes me without a glance and heads for his dresser and pulls out a pair of socks.

I follow. "What's going on? Who is she?"

"It's complicated."

"I can handle complicated."

Doesn't he see how important it is that he stay and explain?

He glances at me as if battling with what to do when Barbie yells from the other room, "You coming or not?"

"Give me a bloody minute," he snaps. "Where the hell are my trainers?" He digs in his closet and comes up with his running shoes.

He's really going and I can't stop him. My chest tightens. A rush of panic hits. I need him to stay? But how do I convince him? I touch his arm, warm and strong under my trembling hand. "Please don't go."

Tom finishes tying his shoes and turns to me. His eyes are dark and conflicted. "I need to do this. I'll be back soon." He forces a tight-lipped smile that doesn't convince me. Collecting his phone from the dresser, he heads for the living room and grabs his coat.

I'm about to lose it. I realize I'm overreacting, but I can't stop myself. A rush of dread consumes me; I clutch his arm. "Don't do this. Don't walk out on me." I say in desperation.

Barbie waits at the stairs taping her designer boot on the tile. Tom looks from her, to me, and back, as if it's Sophie's choice, then steps toward her. She gives me a smug lip curl.

Tom raises his hands in defeat. "I have to. I'll explain later." He steps into the hall and disappears.

Standing in the open doorway I flashback to when I was fourteen and my father ignored my cries and walked away. Hell, he walked away from me again just last week. I can't deny the overwhelming feeling that another door in my life is closing.

I rush to the window and in a few seconds see them on the sidewalk. Tom's head is down and his hands are sunk in his coat pockets, but Barbie smiles brilliantly and laughs, then links her arm through his as they walk. My heart is in my throat and I choke out a sob.

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