Page 152 of Sunshine

I squared my shoulders. “You agreed to make the cupcakes. You said you were experimenting with flavors. I asked you Wednesday if you needed help and you said you got it.” I paused, my voice sounding calm. “And if I hadn’t told you I had bonded Pack Kahele you’d be mad I didn’t let you know. I told you first, and instead of disappearing for two weeks like you did when you first started dating Pack Donovan, I made time for you.”

Anger flashed in Talia’s eyes. I wasn’t following the script of saying I was sorry and moving on. But damn it, I was tired of being in trouble for everything outside of my control.

“You’re an adult, Talia.” I kept going. Why stop when she was already furious? It felt good in a way, like releasing old wounds. All the hurt and confusion I’d kept bottle up inside came pouring out. “At some point you’re going to have to realize it’s not onlythe other person’s fault when you’re hurt and upset. Expecting someone to read your mind isn’t going to work.”

“Happy now that you said your piece? That you go to martyr yourself?” Talia snapped, rounding on me. Her mouth twisted into a sneer. “I knew, by the way. Becca was sleeping with Rob. She asked me not to tell, said she wasn’t sure if she wanted something serious with them.”

I froze. Everything inside me hung on a precipice, like I was toppling over the edge, about to break.

“Becca said you were too self-centered and insecure to notice when Rob smelled like someone else.”

I sucked in a breath. The room swam in front of me, and for a crystal-clear moment I thought I’d slap her. All the hurt, rage, and anger boiled over.

I let it pass. I wouldn’t break my own morals. Not for her.

I shook my head. “The sad thing is you think telling me those things is how you’re going to “win” this argument.”

I turned around.

“Go ahead, leave,” Talia snapped. “I hope that pack makes you happy because you can’t unbond someone. Bonds are forever.”

“I thank all the cosmic energy of the universe for them every day,” I said. “Goodbye, Talia.”

Tears bit the corners of my eyes, and I hurried out to the parking lot. I got into my car and just sat there for a moment, replaying the argument over and over.

My phone buzzed again. I checked it, hoping it would help center me. Tears threatened to fall, and the world grayed around the edges. I couldn’t catch my breath.

I had three missed calls each from Logan, Luca, and Julian.

Logan:

Sunshine, what’s wrong?

Luca:

Do you need us?

Julian:

Babe, what’s going on?

I can steal the firetruck and be there in five minutes or less

If you don’t check in soon I’ll GPS your phone and find you

I let out a watery laugh and dialed Julian.

“What’s wrong?” He answered before it the first ring finished.

Tears spilled out of my eyes and my hands shook. “Talia…” My throat closed up.

Calm down. I told myself.You’re overreacting.

“Is she hurt?” I heard the sound of keys jingling. “I’ll be right there.”

“We had a fight.” I let out a sob. My heart hurt, like it was bruised and broken. Like someone had shoved their hands inside my chest and ripped it out.

“Oh, honey.” Julian’s voice went soft. “Drive over to the station.”

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