Page 126 of Flaunt
A stack of towels is folded nicely in the cabinet. Sara refolded the ones that I did. There’s something about that I love. I take one out and set it on the edge of the tub and then head for the door.
“Let me know when you’re ready to go, and I’ll follow you to Sabrina’s,” I say.
“Okay.”
I don’t look at her over my shoulder. I don’t pause to give her a second to change her mind. Because if I know Sara, she’s hardheaded, and her mind is made up.
Quite possibly like the happily ever after I had dreamed up in my head.
26
Sara
“Come in,”Gretchen shouts.
I push open the door and step inside Ashley’s mother’s house. The smell of the house—roast beef mixed with peach air filters in her vents—settles something in my soul. But as soon as I see Gretchen’s face and the concern that sweeps across her features, I topple.
“Honey, what’s wrong?” she says.
I sit on the couch next to her. I’m certain my heart is bleeding.What else would explain a burn this intense?
She hands me a tissue. “Start talking because I’m getting nervous over here.”
“I don’t know where to start.”
“Pick the spot that’s most comfortable and go from there.”
I lie back against the cushions and close my eyes. They’re swollen, I’m pretty sure.
Banks followed me to Sabrina’s and loaded my things in my car. We made quick work of it. I was worried she’d come out of the house and make another scene, and I wasn’t quite sure how well Banks would take a round two.
Especially since he’s upset with me.
“I’ve never told another woman I wasn’t related to that I love her. But I love you. Completely and absolutely. And I really, truly hope that you don’t push me away.”
I don’t know how I botched things so badly between us. I was honest.Isn’t honesty the best policy? If that’s true, why does it hurt?
This is why I don’t do this shit.
“Oh, let’s see,” I say, sighing. “I’m going to give you the quick version to catch you up.”
“Go.”
“I quit my job. I lost my apartment. I got another apartment but then couldn’t move in right away. I stayed with Ashley, as you’ve probably heard, and promptly moved across the street with Maddox’s brother because, well, Ashley is in the honeymoon phase of life. Enough said.”
Gretchen tries not to smile. “I’m following you. Keep going.”
“Banks, Maddox’s brother—whom I’m also assuming you know at this point since he’s family now for you—which I just realized and that makes this a little weird but, really, Gretchen, I have nowhere else to go with this.” I groan. “My life is one big convoluted mess.”
“You can still talk a hundred miles a minute when you’re stressed.”
“Yay me.”
She blows out a breath. “Ashley told me that Sabrina came by Banks’s today.”
My soul shrivels. Of course, Ashley knows. Of course, she told her mother. They’re all probably talking about the circus my life brought to their happy little street and are breathing a sigh of relief that Banks dodged a bullet.
“I love you, Sara.”
