Page 21 of Beautiful Storm

“What?” I sit up straight, my fight mode activated. But I don’t want to fight him. We’ve been through this before. “Youtold me toleave.”

“No, I didn’t. You walked.”

“Preston, you gave me an ultimatum. Did you honestly expect me to stay after that? That’s not how marriages work.”

“You wanted a break!” His voice rises and I jump, thankful that he can’t see me.

Taking a deep breath, I calm myself before responding. “All I asked was for a little time to find out who I was, if I wasn’t your muse. I was losing myself. No, I’d alreadylostmyself. And my mood was going to ruin us.” I don’t know why I’m telling him thisagain. We’ve talked about it at great length.

“I’ve tried, Amelia. I have, but I can’t do this without you.”

“Do what?” If he’d said this when I first walked away, I would have longed for him to tell me he couldn’t do life without me. Then maybe it wouldn’t have hurt so much. But I know better than that now, so when he says his next words, I’m not at all shocked.

“I can’t write. I need you. I thought you’d come back. I thought you’d figure out we belong together, doing this. And you’d come back.”

Jesus.

I close my eyes before slowly releasing a breath, and when I’m settled enough to open them again, Hayley’s in my face shaking her head as she over exaggerates mouthing the word no.Does she seriously think I’d go back?

I roll my eyes and shoo her away just as Preston pleads again, a new angle this time. “I can make all your dreams come true, Amelia. People already love our music videos. Think about how famous you’ll be when our fan base grows. It’s happening soon. I can feel it.”

“Preston.”

“No, wait. I need you to seriously think about this. Because you donotwant to get left behind. You’ll regret it.”

Oh great, so we’re going through all the stages of grief right now. But in the wrong order. What’s next?

“I refuse to believe we’re over. It’s not possible. We were perfect together and you know it. You’ll be back. You’renothingwithout me.”

Denial then. Oh, and anger. What in the—

“Give me the phone.” Hayley stands in front of me, arms crossed over her chest, her expression positively raging. “Actually, fuck that. I’m going over there. Tell the asshole I’m on my way.”

She stalks toward the door, her hair still messed from last night, her makeup smudged all over her face, and it warms my heart.

“Preston. I’m not coming back. Ever. Find someone else to use.” I hang up before jumping to my feet and rushing over to Hayley, wrapping her in a hug as she unlocks the door. “You beautiful soul, you.” I giggle. “Thank you. I appreciate you having my back.”

She turns around, her smile proud. “You did good. But I wish you’d let me go.”

“Why?”

“Because that guy deserves a good slap across the face, and I really wanted to be the one to do it. Unless you want to, of course.”

“Thank you.” I laugh again. “But I have a feeling his life isn’t going to be all sunshine and rainbows, and that’s enough for me. Though I do hate that he was talking to my mom.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that.” Hayley waves me off.

“Why?”

“I’m pretty sure your mom called everyone she knows. She’s excited for you.”

My nose scrunches when a little rope knots itself around my heart, giving it a tug.Dammit. I asked her to stop doing that. It’s been a week since I mentioned it, so I figured she’d listened.But if she hasn’t, that will mean she called—

My phone rings right on cue and I groan, dropping it to the counter beside me.

“Shedidn’t.” Hayley groans on my behalf.

“She did, and I can’t handle that right now.”

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