Page 50 of When It Rains He Pours

Two days I spent trying to track her down. I waited outside her gallery, but she never showed. I sat in the coffee shop, hoping to see her walk by. Nothing. She was a ghost, disappearing as easily as she had taken my life by storm.

It's over, there's nothing left for me here.

Sitting in my hotel room, I made a quick phone call and started packing my bags. I didn't want to give up on her—on us,but if she wasn't willing to hear what I had to say, if she refused to let me explain, there was nothing else I could do.

I couldn't force her to listen to me. I had betrayed by not telling her exactly who I was. She gave me the chance multiple times, asking my work, and I chose to shut her down.

It's all my fault anyway.

Stuffing the last of my clothes into the suitcase, I zipped it up and rested it on the floor. A heavy knock ricocheted off the door, causing my back to stiffen.

Jacob. . . What the hell does he want?

Walking to the door, I tugged it open. “What the hell—” I lost my voice instantly, unable to use my tongue.

Glory was standing in the doorway, her eyes red and swollen from all the tears I caused. Her cheeks were wet and she was sniffling as she lifted her head to look up at me.

I wanted to grab her and hug her, I wanted to hold her and tell her I was sorry. But I didn't. My arms hung at my side as my heart raced and my muscles shook to touch her.

We both stood silent, Glory glaring up at me with hatred in her eyes. I was afraid to say one word, afraid that my voice would force her away.

Sucking in a big gulp of air, she let it out slowly. Her lips parted, exposing clenched teeth. “You win.” Throwing a stack of papers in my face, she started to turn and walk away.

“Don't go,” I said, quickly lurching forward and grabbing her arm as the papers fluttered to the ground around me. “Let me explain, I'll explain everything.”

Stopping in her tracks, her head ticked over her shoulder as her eyes connected with mine. Baring her teeth, Glory pivoted on her heels.

Crack!

With her small fist, she punched me in the jaw. Releasing her arm, I rubbed my chin. “I deserve that.”

“You deserve more than just that.” Peeking around my back, she looked inside the room, her eyes zeroing in on my luggage. “Running away?” Cocking her jaw to the side, she snapped. “I don't blame you, I'd run to if I was as big of an asshole as you.”

“That's not what this is. I'm not running away, I don't want to run away. But I don't know what else to do, you want nothing to do with me—”

“You have no idea what I want.” Clenching her jaw, her pupils turned to pinpricks.

“Please, just hear me out. I was going to tell you, I just didn't know how.”

Her lids turned to slits as she growled. “How about just growing some damn balls and telling me the truth like a real man?”

“I know, I get it. I was wrong, I should have told you that I was Liam Barnes from B and B, but I couldn't.”

“And what about the rest, huh? What about the gallery and the damage and the fact that you and your brother did this to force me out?” Taking a step in, Glory balled her fists by her sides. “What about all of that? Or were you just going to pretend that it never happened? Like you really didn't have a roll in it? You fucking played me, you used me.”

Wait. . . What?

Arching a brow, my eyes darted between hers. “What are you talking about? We didn't do that to your shop.”

“Stop, just stop lying. I know everything, Liam. I know about your little scheme, I know about the set up for you to come in and save me. I know all of it.”

“I don't know what the hell you're talking about. I didn't—”

Throwing up her hand, she rolled her eyes. “Cut the fucking shit, Liam. You won, you both won. I signed the papers, the place is yours. There's no need to pretend anymore. Jacob told me everything.”

“Glory, I really don't have a damn clue what you're talking about.” Stroking my jaw, I shook my head. “What did Jacob say to you?”

“Stop, just stop.” Scrunching her eyes, her brows dipped into the bridge of her nose as she studied my expression. “You really don't know?”

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