Page 67 of Pinky Promises

Chapter 27

Callum

“Hi,you’vereachedBrynn.Leave me a message at the beep.”

“Fuck,” I hiss as I end the call. I’ve already left three voicemails.

The ride back to Willow Creek feels like an eternity. Since everyone else took the SUV back, I had to call a car service. It could cost me everything in my bank account to get home, but I don’t care anymore. Getting to Brynn is all that matters to me.

As the city lights pass outside the window, I come up with a plan. I’ll get dropped off at the apartment, pick up my car, and make this right, but where is she?

I pull up the group text I have with Ben and Asher. I already know that the girls will shut me out, but I’m hoping the guys will at least throw me a line.

Me:Look, I know I fucked up, but I need to know where she is.

Me:Please. I’m begging you.

I wonder if they are still with Brynn or if they’ve given the girls room to breathe. Are they deciding who will be in hot water with their woman?

Ben:Don’t shoot the messenger, but she’s home. She convinced the girls she needed to be alone tonight, and tomorrow would let them smother her.

What the fuck? I can’t believe they let her be alone right now. Although I guess in my favor, the girls not being there is one less wall I need to get through.

Asher:I don’t know what the hell is even happening, but even I can tell you she’s anything but okay.

Asher:She just kept saying, “I’m fine,” as she got out of the car, and we all know when a woman says she’s fine, she’s anything but.

Of course my girl would be putting on a brave face.

Ben:Asher! Shut up. You’re not helping.

Asher:WTF! He asked, so I told him.

Me:Thank you. I know I fucked up, but I promise I’m going to fix this. I have to.

Asher:You better because if this goes even more to shit, I’m going to have to side with Hadley and, in turn, with Brynn.

Honestly, I’d expect nothing less of him or Ben. I would hate to force them to put themselves in the middle of our mess.

Ben:Asher!

I’ll leave them to it and pocket my phone just as we pull up in front of my building.

“Thanks,” I manage, jumping out of the car and slamming the door. Instead of racing to the underground garage, I go straight for the elevators.

“Please still be here,” I chant as the elevator rises seven floors. My hands tremble with nerves as I put my key in the door.

“Brynn,” I call out, shutting the front door with my foot. There’s no sign of her in the living room, only memories of snuggling during movie nights bombarding the forefront of my mind.

My somber footsteps replace the memory of me playfully chasing her down the hall this morning before tumbling through her bedroom door in a mess of limbs and kissing. What I wouldn’t give for one more moment of that.

I try the handle, but as I suspected, it’s locked. That’s proof of how devastated she is. Even after telling me not to come home tonight, Brynn still took the time to lock the door to shut me out. I could quickly find the key to open her door, but I broke her trust tonight. I don’t deserve the right to just barge into her room—I don’t deserve her.

I tap my knuckles on the door. “Brynn, it’s me.”No answer.“Brynn, baby, please open the door,” I beg, my voice beginning to crack. I rest my forehead and palm against the door.

I know she’s in there because I can hear the soft, muffled sobs behind the door. I can picture her buried in her covers, just like I typically find her when she is upset. Only this time, I’m not the one who is comforting her; I’m the one who caused it. That thought alone has remorse rushing through my veins.

“B, open up. I just want to talk.”And hold you and make this all better.

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