Page 140 of Reluctantly You

I deserve it. I really do. Shiloh was right. God, I don’t want to see his face when he tells me he told me so. He’s held off because I’ve been so obviously miserable, but I know it’s coming.

Fuck, I have to see him tomorrow for dinner with Emmy and August. Rory will be there too. They’re all going to ask where Mitchell is, and I’ll have to admit that I fucked up. I kept a secret too long and in doing so, ruined everything.

Everyone is going to hate me and rightfully so. People love Mitchell more than he realizes. He doesn’t see it, but I do. He’s an integral part of them.

Magnus gets off the phone and I’m left standing in the middle of his empty house, my entire body slumped in regret.

“You hurt our brother,” Max says lowly, and I look up at him.

“You did too. We all fucking failed him.”

Matt glances away, looking guilty and Max eventually does the same. My eyes are wet, stinging, and I swipe at them as I take in the space.

And that’s when I notice it.

The paint supplies are gone as well.

He left and took a part of me with him.

“Why isn’t Mitchy here?” Emery asks as he rounds the table toward me, pulling me in for a long hug. “Is he okay?”

I take in a defeated breath. I need to fess up. I’m not the man I thought I was. I’m not strong or put-together. I’m a fucking mess.

I’ve been going to work, going through the motions but deep down, I’m falling apart.

It’s been four days and no word from him. Nothing. Just silence. It sits heavily on my chest, making me sleep terribly, making my appetite plummet.

I failed him just like everyone else in his life.

I’m no better than his shit stain of a father.

“Why do you look so sad?” Emmy asks, pulling away from me and staring intently at my face.

“He left me,” I mutter and then clear my throat and say it a little more clearly. “Mitchell left and isn’t coming tonight.”

“Oh,” Emmy says and then hugs me again, squeezing me tightly. “Well, that is shitty news.”

I peer over at Shiloh and Rory and see them watching me carefully. They both know what had happened by now, I’m sure. My mood has been indicative of it. I just haven’t had the words to admit it.

“Do you know where he is?” Emmy asks, and I shake my head.

“No. He hasn’t told me. The only one who knows is Magnus.”

August perks up, moving from the kitchen and wiping his hands. “Is that so? We’re friends with Magnus.”

“Oh, August, you should get Mags to tell you where he is so we can tell Gideon,” Emmy says, bouncing on his toes. “That’s the nice thing to do. We are great friends.”

“I doubt he’d tell me,” August replies and then gestures us toward the kitchen. “But I do think we could use a drink.”

“I do need one,” I murmur as I follow him into the small kitchen.

“What would you like? We have it all.”

I arch an eyebrow at him and he shrugs. “I like to experiment with different combinations. Especially with Emmy. Alcohol isn’t good with his diabetes, but sometimes he’ll have one of those fruity drinks.”

“I think I’m gonna need something stronger. Whiskey?”

He pulls out a bottle, something cheap, but I don’t say anything. I’m just happy to have some liquid courage to get me through this fucking nightmare.

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