Page 91 of Myla: The Hawthornes

“He’s in love with you?” Lou asked, a small smile pulling at her cheeks.

“Of course he is,” Frankie said easily. “Everyone already knew that.”

“Ididn’t know that.”

“That’s because you’re stuck inMyla’s world,” Frankie said.

I winced.

“Too soon?” she asked with a small laugh.

“Good grief, Frank,” Lou muttered. “Not the time.”

“Seems like exactly the time to me,” Frankie said, pushing to her feet. “You don’t want to do the hot and cold, right? That’s what all this was about? Well? Sounds like he doesn’t either. He wants what you want.”

“I don’t think it’s that simple,” I replied, looking up at her. “He was really pissed, Frankie. I’ve never seen him like that.”

“First of all, yum,” Frankie said. “And second—why the hell are you still sitting here on the floor? Call him or go over there.”

“I can’t do that to him again,” I argued, using the counter to pull myself up. “Hejustyelled at me for doing it.”

“I agree with Frankie,” Lou said from her place on the floor. “Fix it. Don’t let it go on longer than it has to.”

“But what if it’s already over?” I asked desperately. The thought of going to Cian only to have him slam the door in my face made me break out in a cold sweat. “It really seemed like he was done.”

“If you don’t know already, you should find out for sure,” Frankie said, walking away.

“I believe in you,” Lou said seriously.

I didn’t check my face or bother with a coat as I hurried out to my car. My chest had felt hollow since Cian walked out of the house, and I was desperate to make the feeling go away. Even if he was angry, even if he yelled some more, I needed to see him. I needed to know if this was it. If I’d lost him for good. I needed to know if we could stop with all the pretenses, all the arguments and uncertainty.

Mostly, I just needed Cian.

I’d driven to his house so many times that I barely had to pay any attention to where I was going, which was a good thing because I was so anxious that I didn’t even remember the drive by the time I parked. I was moving on pure adrenaline and hope. The rain was coming down hard as I climbed out of the car and ran up to the front door. By the time I got there, I was soaked.

Noel answered the door when I knocked.

“Are you okay?” she blurted instantly, stepping back. “What’s wrong?”

“I need to talk to Cian,” I replied, looking past her. My brother was looking at me over the back of the couch, the TV playing quietly behind him.

I took two steps into the house.

“He’s not here, My,” Titus said, standing up. “He’s out at the property.”

“Oh.” My shoulders slumped.

I couldn’t bring our drama out to the property. Not now. Not when everyone was struggling to get their feet under them again. If I did that, I’d be exactly what Cian had accused me of.

“Why don’t you come in?” Titus said, coming toward us. “Hang out for a while.”

“No, that’s okay,” I muttered, taking a step back toward the door. I didn’t want to be there anymore. I didn’t want to haveto explain myself. I didn’t want a heart-to-heart. I just wanted Cian, and he wasn’t there. “I’ll just text him or something.”

“I can call him,” Titus murmured.

“No,” I cried. “No, don’t. He’s dealing with family stuff. I’ll just call him tomorrow. It’s no big deal. I’ll see you guys in a couple of days or something.”

I stepped back onto the porch.

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