Page 72 of In a Pinch

She slow blinks at me. Tears fill her eyes, and for a second, I hate myself for being the one who put them there. “Sam, no. Yes, she said things about you that made me scared how she would react, but she was wrong. You made me unafraid and better. So much better.”

“Yeah, you’re so proud of me, aren’t you? I can tell by the way you’ve hidden me from everyone important in your life.”

“That’s not fair, Sam. I’ve told your sister and my own family. I’ve told Regina.” She shakes her head, tears falling faster now. “It was just Isla. It was stupid and wrong, and I’m sorry.”

Shaking my head, I feel nothing but fucking rage and hurt.

“You may not have hidden it from the world, but you hid it from the most important person in yours, and honestly, I think that’s worse.” Hanging my head, I say, “I think it would be best if you leave.” I don’t want to say anything I’ll regret, and I can feel the venom building behind my tongue, begging to lash out at her. But I can’t. I can’t hurt her like that. Even if she’s hurt me like that. She found the one sore spot I have and poured vinegar right over it.

“Sam, no. I’m not leaving not like this. I want to be with you.”

“Yeah, well, tell that to your actions. Because it’s not very clear to me. Please leave. I don’t want you here tonight. I can’t do this right now.” My hand raises and I point to the door.

A choked sob leaves her chest and I almost cave. But this isn’t fucking fair, and I need to think. In peace and in quiet. She nods her head and grabs her stuff.

“Sam, I’m so sorry. I should have done this all differently. I know that.”

I nod and walk out of the room as my heart walks out of the front door.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Addie

Tears stream down my face as I walk out to my car. What a freaking mess I have made. And for what? Fear? It all seems so dumb now that I’m out of the fog. God, I hate myself right now.

Getting in my car, I drive. My tears cloud my vision, and I try to think of ways that I can fix this. I refuse to let this be the end. Without even realizing it, I guess I drove to the one place that will make me feel better.

Isla’s condo comes into view, and I quickly pull in her driveway. I stumble out of the car and rush to the door and knock. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I look down at it and see that it’s almost midnight. She’s probably going to havea freaking heart attack. If my brain was working right, I would have called first.

Cal answers the door and I suddenly feel even dumber. Not that I thought that was possible after tonight.

“I’m sorry to bug you guys, but I just need to talk to Isla.” My voice cracks and Cal pulls me into the house.

“Isla, it’s Addie! Can you come down here?” Cal yells in the direction of the bedroom. She walks out holding a bat, like that would do anything to defend herself. She drops it when she sees my face and books it down the second half of the stairs.

“Oh, goodness, what happened? Why are you crying?”

“I messed up really bad and I just found myself here. I’m sorry, it’s late.” A sob leaves my throat, and she pulls me in for a hug.

“Never be sorry for showing up at my door. That’s my job.” She grabs my hand and pulls me to the couch.

Cal stays back and shuts the door behind us before making his way to the kitchen. “I’ll go make you guys some tea and give you some space.”

Isla grabs one of my hands. “Okay, tell me what happened.” The look on her face makes me feel like even more of an idiot. What was I thinking?

“You’re going to think I’m so dumb.” I close my eyes and lay my head against the back of the couch. “The guy I have been seeing is Sam.”

Her jaw drops as she processes, the anger showing up front and center. “Did that motherfucker break your heart? I swear, I will slash all of his tires right now.” She goes to get up off the couch.

I squeeze her hand and pull her back down. “Woah, Nelly. He didn’t fuck up. I did,” I say, and a wave of confusion crosses her face.

Letting out a big sigh, I start. “It’s a long story, but I had been afraid to tell you. I was really struggling with where I was at inlife. I felt like you all were moving on and living your lives, and I was just stuck in the same place. Not going anywhere.” Shaking my head, I realize this has nothing to do with the story.

“Anyways, Sam found out tonight that I hadn’t told you that we had been seeing each other and he freaked out. Rightfully so. If the shoe was on the other foot, I would feel the same way. God, I really screwed this up.”

“Wait. Why were you scared to tell me?” She drops my hand. Her brows pinch together, and I can see the hurt on her face. Ugh. I suck today.

“Well, you know how you always give me a hard time about my taste in men? You rambled off why I should avoid Sam on the way to your dress shopping. I think I’ve been falling for Sam since I first met him, and I didn’t want you to think less of me or to think I was screwing up.”

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