Page 85 of Unbearable

Dorian opened the front door. “Dotty, you need to leave, or you’ll miss your flight.”

With one last goodbye, I walked out the door where Dorian, Trent, and Colt still stood on the porch.

Colt hugged me. “Love you,” he said softly. He pulled back to look at me, his gaze uncharacteristically tender, making my heart sink. He didn’t let his icy exterior thaw often, but his worry penetrated his usual walls.

“Love you too. I’ll see you soon,” I replied, my voice wavering with emotion.

Dorian pulled me into another hug. “Please let me know how it goes and how Noah is doing,” he said.

He glanced at Trent, and I understood his silent message—I don’t ask about him, and he won’t ask about me. I nodded, understanding his unspoken words.

“I’ll be back this time,” I promised.

Trent put his hand on the small of my back and ushered me to the truck, opening the door for me. I waved as my brothers went back inside the ranch house. Trent gently turned my face towards him and stared into my eyes. His green irises were heavy with emotion, the sight hitting me like a blow to the chest.

Neither of us wanted it to be goodbye, but it felt like it anyway.

Without another moment of hesitation, I kissed him.

I kissed him like it was the first time and the last time. Ikissed him like I did when we were nineteen. I kissed him like he was the one putting air in my lungs.

I kissed him as if I needed him to survive, as if this kiss had to last me another ten years.

I kissed him because I loved him.

Because I did.

He pulled back, resting his forehead on mine. “Text me when you get there and keep me updated on what’s going on,” he said, trying to mask the cracks in his voice.

“I will,” I replied, reaching up on my toes to give him one last kiss. I hopped in the truck, the engine roaring to life. I knew if I didn’t leave at that exact moment, I might never want to.

THIRTY

Dotty

THE NIGHT WE MET - LORD HURON

The driveto the airport was exactly what I needed—silent.

Since that emotionally charged night at the bar with Trent, I had been needing a moment to bring myself back to reality.

The quietness around me served as a centering force, preparing me to focus on Noah. Being there for her was what mattered in this situation, not the storm of emotions in my head.

As I drove, I occasionally glanced in my rearview mirror, noticing a dark SUV that seemed to be keeping pace with me. I dismissed the feeling, chalking it up to my overactive imagination. It was likely just someone else from Woodstone or a neighboring town heading to the airport, given that there was only one road out.

Just a coincidence.

The journey continued uneventfully as I approached the airport. The familiar hustle of travelers and the sight of planes taking off brought memories of the city flooding back.

Finding a spot in the long-term parking lot, I parked the truck and took a deep breath, turning off the engine. Pulling out my phone, I quickly sent a text to everyone, letting them know I made it to the airport.

As I prepared to step out of the truck, I noticed the dark SUV from earlier pulling into the spot next to mine. Its heavily tinted windows obscured any view of who was inside. I hesitated briefly but dismissed my unease as paranoia.

I grabbed my suitcases from the backseat and slung my bag over my shoulder, locking the truck behind me. As I started walking toward the terminal, I felt a slight prickling at the back of my neck, an uneasy feeling that I tried to ignore.

My focus was on getting through security and catching my flight.

Suddenly, the SUV’s door slammed shut, and footsteps hurried toward me from behind.

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