Page 69 of A Sweet Mess

“This morning, you handed down an ultimatum. Youordered me to choose between you and my career.” She couldn’t tell whether the tremor in his voice came from fear or anger. “There is no reason why we can’t see each other in secret. For the good of our careers, it doesn’t make sense to flaunt our relationship publicly.”

“But I—” Panic thumped in her chest like in “The Tell-Tale Heart.”

“I refuse to be manipulated. My career, my life, and my future are not inconsequential.”

“I never meant to imply they aren’t important. I meant quite the opposite. I love you, and I want to be with you. Forever. But I can’t be with you in secret. I don’t want to hide anymore. I can’t live believing that the person I love is ashamed of me. Not again.”

Something akin to anguish and desolation flitted across his face, but it faded in a second. “My career isn’t only about me. I have responsibilities and duties to my family. The same responsibilities I would have for you, your career, and your happiness if we were together.”

“I know it isn’t going to be easy, but we could do it together. I want us to build a life together. Something real and lasting.” Aubrey gripped his hand in both of hers as tears fell endlessly down her cheeks. She couldn’t tell him about the baby yet. She didn’t want to trap him into staying with her. Prey on his sense of responsibility and his drive to set things right. But she wanted him to know what they could have together. “We could build a family of our own.”

“It’s wishful thinking—as far removed from reality as a fairy tale.” His harsh expression was cut in stone, and the bitter certainty of his words drove the point home.

“Please, Landon.” Aubrey dropped his hand and retreated a step. “Don’t do this.”

“I have no choice.” His voice was thick with emotion, and his eyes were almost pleading. “We have no choice.”

Aubrey couldn’t remember how she’d gotten back in her room, but there she was. She’d given up and walked away from Landon. But she’d fought for their love with everything she had. Right now, she felt as though she were being ripped apart strip by strip, but she would be proud of herself someday. She had no regrets.

She couldn’t tell him about the baby. She couldn’t trap him in a relationship he no longer wanted. Even if he chose to be with her, she would always know he’d stayed for the baby. She’d know he didn’t love her. She could never live like that again.

She let her tears flow silently. There was no holding them back. It hurt so much. Landon didn’t love her. He wasn’t willing to give them a chance. The anguish threatened to overwhelm her until she wished it would consume her.

Aubrey sat on her bed until she was certain she could form comprehensible words. Then she reached for her phone and dialed.

“Bree? What time is it?” Tara’s voice sounded croaky from sleep.Ribbit-ribbit.Aubrey felt hysterical laughter bubbling to the surface and quickly clamped down on it. If she lost it, she would never make it out of Bosque Verde.

“Almost three in the morning, I think.” Aubrey was surprised that her voice sounded almost casual. “I need you to come take me home.”

“Send me the address. I’ll be there in three hours, tops,” her best friend said without a moment’s pause.

Aubrey placed her phone on the nightstand and lay down, hugging a pillow to her chest. She wasn’t sure if she’d slept or not. When she was aware of her surroundings, almost two hourshad passed. She had to pack. Her limbs didn’t move properly, but she somehow placed two packed bags by her bedroom door.

As promised, Tara texted from the driveway in two and a half hours.

Aubrey stood and quickly scanned the room to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. Then, pulling her suitcases behind her, she walked out to the hallway and stopped in front of Landon’s door. It would be easier for her to sneak out, but she had to see him one last time. No matter how much it hurt, she didn’t regret a single moment with him. He’d saved her from her solitary confinement. She’d lost him, but her love would always stay with her.

It was barely six, but she knew he’d be awake. When she knocked quietly, he opened his door as though he’d been waiting for her. He was still wearing the same clothes from last night, and the shadows under his eyes told her he hadn’t slept. The eyes that searched her face looked almost wild, and when his gaze fell on her suitcases, blood drained from his face.

“I didn’t want to leave without saying good-bye this time.” Her words reverberated in her head like the echo of a gong.Don’t you dare cry in front of him.“Tara’s here to take me home.”

Landon stepped out into the hallway, moving jerkily like a broken toy soldier. Taking the suitcases from her, he started down the stairs without a word. As soon as he had his back to her, she swallowed the painful lump in her throat and blinked her burning eyes. When she had her emotions in check, Aubrey followed him down.

At the foyer, he stopped and placed her bags on the ground. Then he turned his head away, his throat working frantically. She needed to leavenow.She was seconds away from falling apart in front of him. As broken as she felt, she wanted to retainsome of her dignity. She hurriedly grabbed her suitcases and headed for the front door.

“Good-bye, Landon.”

Before she could take more than a couple of steps, Landon spun her around and pressed his lips against hers. He tasted like salt and sorrow. She stood still, refusing to respond to his kiss until he stepped back, his arms falling to his sides. His eyes searched her face frantically. For what, she didn’t know and couldn’t care. She turned her back to him and walked away. She couldn’t bear to stay another second.

Tara stepped out of her car as Aubrey neared it and enveloped her in a tight hug. Then she tucked her into the passenger seat and stowed her luggage in the back. Once she settled in the driver’s seat, Tara turned to Aubrey and handed her a box of tissues.

“Let’s take you home.”

It felt as though he’d been on his back staring at the ceiling for days. There was a hairline crack by the ceiling fan, and Landon thought he should let Lucien know. This place was much too new to have any cracks. His friend should hunt down his contractor.

At first, Landon thought he was hearing his pounding headache bouncing off the walls. But he heard two pairs of feet hurrying up the stairs and realized it must’ve been them knocking on the front door. Aria and Lucien looked down at him from either side of his bed, so Landon closed his eyes to shut them out.

“He looks like death.” Landon cringed at the sound of Aria’s voice. She might as well take a hammer to his head.

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