Page 203 of Between the Blue
“Tell me you didn’t quit because of me.”
“I didn’t quit because of you,” I state.
“Then why are you taking your stuff home?”
“I quit because I got offered a job with COBO.”
Ben stiffens, and so does the air between us, just for a moment. And then everything’s back in motion.
“That’s amazing, Cherry,” Ben says. “I’m happy for you.”
And I believe him.
“Thanks,” I say.
“When do you start?”
“Two weeks.”
He nods, then slowly drops his gaze from mine.
“In Paris,” I add.
His gaze flicks back up. But not aggressively. Not in a way that tells me anything, really.
“Oh,” he finally says.
Silence falls between us, and I end up crossing my arms just for something to do. My heart feels heavy in my chest. And I can’t decide if it’s with sadness or anger or some combination of the two.
I look back at my car and take a step in its direction. “Well…” I trail off, pointing my thumb towards it and turning away.
“Were you not going to tell me?”
My spine steels, and I look back at him.
“That you were leaving?” Ben continues.
“Would you have cared?” I ask him, honestly wanting to know.
He opens his mouth, and I really think he’s about to say something. But he doesn’t. And when he closes it again, I take that as my final push to get in my car.
He lingers for a second as I do, watching me through my windshield, and then he turns, walking back in the direction of his car.
I start my engine. I grip my steering wheel. I stay that way for two full seconds. And then I rip the keys out of the ignition.
I throw open my door and storm after Ben.
“Are you really not going to say anything?” I demand.
He spins back around, then runs a hand over the Storm logo on his chest before looking up at me. “What is there to say?” he asks me. “You’re leaving.”
“And you don’t have any feelings about that?”
His brows pull together. “What difference would my feelings make?”
“Well, none,” I say. “If you never share them with me. But, if you did…” I trail off, feeling myself tearing up. “All the difference in the world.”
Ben looks up at the ceiling and then back at me. “Haven’t you always wanted this?” he asks.
