Page 4 of Everlasting Love

Cassia steps toward me, holding two ice creams. “Here ya go. Cookie dough for you.”

I take it from her. “Thanks. I could have bought ours.”

Cass swipes her tongue up the side of her icy treat. “I didn’t pay for it.” She chuckles. “You missed Toby and Oliver arguing over who was going to pay.” She widens her eyes at me with a grin.

My mouth drops open, and I shoot my gaze across the shop to Toby and Oliver, who still look to be arguing. Being a billionaire, Oliver Stone could afford to buy the actual shop. To be fair, Toby probably could too. “I’m sorry I missed it. I always seem to miss out on the good stuff. Who won?”

Her lips widen further. “Toby.”

I wiggle my eyebrows up and down. “Maybe you should go lick your ice cream in front of him and show him your skills.”

Her face drops. “I don’t think he’ll ever speak to me again after the way I’ve treated him and the secret I kept.”

“You didn’t know he was Poppy’s guitar teacher. I mean, what were the chances?”

“I know, right?” Cass blows out a breath. “Vi. If I’d known how accepting he would be of Poppy, I would have never shut him out. I’m devastated that I’ve hurt him the way I have.”

I move closer and wrap my free arm around my sister. “So you apologize. Explain your reasons to him.” I glance across at Toby. His face looks like thunder for some reason. “I’m sure he’ll understand. He seems like a decent guy, and you already know he thinks the world of Poppy.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Shane move closer to Toby and look at something on Toby’s phone. His face turns hard, and the tic in his jaw seems to take on a life of its own. Toby walks over to us and gently touches Cass’s elbow. “Can I talk to you quickly about something that’s just come up?” he asks as he keeps his voice low.

Cass glances around, trying to make sense of Toby wanting to talk to her. I’m not surprised since she thought he’d never want to speak with her again. She pauses her gaze on me fora moment, and I try to convey that him wanting to speak with her is a good sign. I think she picks up on my silent message and moves away from everyone so they can talk. Fingers crossed he’s the upstanding guy he seems to be. Though, I wouldn’t be surprised if it isn’t a front. Some guys seem to be pretty good at faking it until they suck you in. I shake my head, trying to dispel the negative thoughts. Not every man is like Allen or our dad or Cass’s ex and Poppy’s father, Jake, for that matter.

Allen. Just thinking his name sends disappointment sliding through my veins like tar and sours my mood.

Shane moves closer to the booth where Poppy and Jasmine are enjoying their ice creams as they both lick up the side of their cones to collect the melted sweetness. Luckily I brought my wipes; the girls are going to need them. I check that Poppy and Jasmine are okay and step closer to Shane, trying not to notice how good he smells or how his heat seems to radiate from him and wrap around me. I tilt my head back to make eye contact with him. “Is everything okay? Toby seems pissed about something.”

He huffs out a breath, rubs his hand over his short hair, then glances over his shoulder at the girls. His features soften, and he turns his attention back to me. “Someone posted a video and photos of Poppy and Toby’s performance on social media,” he says softly, and my mouth drops open. “They specifically named Poppy, and Toby’s worried about unsavory people having the information.”

“That was quick.”

He nods. “People don’t waste time spreading the word about Toby, and when it hits social media it quickly grows out of control.” That tic in his jaw is back.

I place my hand on his arm in reassurance, feeling the same tingles as before and trying to ignore how right his muscles feel beneath my touch. “Poppy will love the attention. Don’t stress.”

He snaps his focus back to me. “You don’t get it. Poppy is a really cute kid. Some psycho could come after her. She could be at risk now, and so could your daughter by association. They’re both such beautiful girls,” he murmurs the last part. “Toby never wanted any publicity surrounding the concert because he wanted to protect Poppy. You have no idea the sick stuff people can do.”

My heart goes all gooey inside. His concern for the girls’ safety hits me right in the muscle behind my ribs. “Sorry. I didn’t realize. Thank you for being concerned about the girls but I’m sure it’ll all blow over quickly. It’s not like Poppy will be spending much more time with Toby now the concert’s over.” Will she? I don’t know if the lessons have an expiration date.

He glances at Toby and Cass, and I follow his gaze. Cass and Toby are wrapped in each other’s embrace. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” Shane smirks at me.

His entire face changes with a simple tilt of his lips and my heart speeds up. The tingling I felt at a simple touch spreads through my body and makes a direct hit at my core.

For fuck’s sake, Violet. Don’t even think about it.

After the day I’ve had, my core shouldn’t be tingling and my heart shouldn’t be racing for anyone with a dick. They’re all assholes. Allen being the biggest one of them all, closely followed by Jake and my father.

Just thinking about how all of my things were dumped on the guest bed so his whore could hang her clothes inmycloset and store her crap inmydrawers has anger filling my body from the tips of my toes to the ends of my hair. My heart pounds harder, sending blood rushing through my veins as I think back to this morning.

I rap my knuckles against the door. I need to be surehe’snot here. He promised he wouldn’t be home so I could stop by to collect my and Jasmine’s things.

I blow out a long breath, relieved there’s no answer. Today’s the first day I’ve felt strong enough to come here, and I don’t want to face him. As angry as I am, beneath all of that, I’m hurt beyond repair. I trusted him to keep my heart safe—I mean I trusted him enough to have a child with him, and he treats us like this. I still can’t believe he kicked us out. He fucking kicked us out of our own home. I shake my head, still in disbelief.

What an asshole!

I slide my key into the lock and open the door slowly, listening for any noises. Nothing. The tension I was holding in my shoulders evaporates, and I quickly pick up the boxes I brought and close the door behind me. Making my way through what was once my home, I feel eerily detached from the mess that greets me. Our home never looked like this when I was here becauseIwould always clean up afterhim. I had pride in our home, unlike my husband. Ex-husband. Is he my ex yet? Or does he only become my ex once we’re divorced? I guess we’re no longer together, so that would make him my ex—right?

I spin on my heel and turn my back on the mess. I just want to get clothes for me and Jas as well as her favorite toys and books. The rest can wait. I head straight to Jas’s room. Everything is exactly as we left it, so I pull open her drawers and grab as many of her things as I can. As I fill each box with clothes, toys, and books, I carry them out to the car. Looking around her room, I’m satisfied I have enough of her things to get her through until we settle everything officially. It’s mostly excess toys that she doesn’t play with anymore that I’ve left behind. With a sigh, I close her bedroom door and make my way to my bedroom. Well, I guess it isn’t mine anymore.

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