Page 26 of Unfulfilled Promises
He held up his hands, obviously defeated, as he said, “I’ll take you back to your brother’s.”
“I don’t need a ride. I just need the address.”
“Jesus, Regan, I’m not letting you get into a car with a stranger at two o’clock in the morning by yourself, so put your damn shoes on and I’ll take you back to Rhys.”
Pissed, I pushed my feet into my shoes in front of the couch and watched as he grabbed his keys and walked to the front door. I felt like shit for yelling at him, but I was embarrassed by my sleep outburst and that, coupled with his pushing me, sent me over the edge.
We walked outside, and he locked the house behind me before we wordlessly walked to the SUV. He opened the passenger door, and when I glanced at him, I could see anger and remorse in his eyes as I climbed inside. Keeping my eyes on him until he got behind the wheel, I felt like I was losingsomething great before I had the chance to really get to know it, and tears began to build in my eyes.
Clenching my hands tight, I allowed my fingernails to dig into my palms, stopping the tears before they fell. The entire drive to my brother’s house was filled with silent tension, and when we pulled up to the gate, the guard was shocked to see us arriving so late.
“Should I alert Mister Weston that you’re here?” the guard asked.
“No need. I’ll see him in the morning,” I remarked, and he gave a nod before opening the gate.
Seth, still fuming from the driver seat, silently drove me to the front of Rhys’s house and placed the car into park. I looked over at him and shook my head before I grabbed the door handle and went to open the door.
A hand reached out and grabbed onto my shirt, tugging me back into the vehicle, and when I turned, I was met with a bruising kiss from Seth. He placed his forehead against mine and simply said, “I’m sorry.”
Reaching back over, I opened the door and slid out, giving him one final look as I replied, “Me too.”
Walking up the stairs, I glanced back and saw Seth sitting in the vehicle with his hands on the wheel and his head resting on his hands. I lowered my gaze and unlocked the front door before walking inside and securing the locks behind me. The small monitor at the front door showed the driveway, and I watched Seth look back at the house, staring where I walked inside for close to a minute before he smacked the steering wheel with his hand and drove away.
Walking to my room, I tried to stay quiet, not needing anyone else to witness my near breakdown. Not only did I get visited by the monster who haunted my dreams with his sadism, but the man I was starting to open my heart to basically said thatif anyone else got hurt because I wouldn’t speak my truth, then that was on me.
And that was bullshit.
Going into my room, I collapsed onto the bed and stared at the ceiling, wondering how the evening went from good to bad so quickly.
Then I realized it was me, and the only way to get past this would be to share my utter humiliation with the family.
And then watch them all walk away from me. Forever.
Chapter 13
Regan
4 months later
Spring was arriving, and the cool mornings were giving way to pleasant afternoons. It had been months since I stormed out of Seth’s, and even though I see him around the house, he and I haven’t spoken much to each other since then. We exchanged pleasantries, but nothing more than superficial. My heart hurt for a few weeks, but I soon realized Seth and I weren’t meant to be.
But his attention did give me a small confidence boost, and tonight, I was going on a date. John and I met at the bookstore a few weeks ago when Hannah and I were running errands, and when he asked for my number, I gave it to him. Everyone had been telling me I needed to move on, or at least start experiencing life, so I was taking a leap of faith by going out with John.
Hannah and I were sitting on the back patio, enjoying the warmth from the sun as the chilly air swirled around us. She and I had grown closer over the last couple months, and some days, I wanted to blurt out that all her pain was my fault, but I continued to keep my secrets buried deep. I knew my time of keeping secrets was growing shorter every day.
“Are you looking forward to dinner with John tonight?” Hannah asked as she sipped a cup of coffee.
I lifted my sunglasses and looked across the table at her. “I guess.”
She leaned forward, lowering her voice as she spoke. “Has he given you a bad feeling, or is it the whole dating thing that’s got you worried?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. John and I have texted and talked for a few weeks now, and he seems like a nice guy. He’s polite, has a good job, owns his own house, and spends Sundays with his parents.”
“But?”
“But nothing. I guess I’m just nervous,” I reasoned, and she gave an understanding nod.
“I know we don’t talk about a lot of personal stuff, but I can only imagine how scary putting yourself out there must be after . . . everything.”
