Page 135 of Crazy In Love
“Living on opposite sides of the country? That’s not realistic, and you know it. At least be honest with yourself. But I’m going to do you a solid,” she said, her voice trembling. “This ends now. The only thing I want from you is for you to walk out that door, and don’t look back unless you figure your shit out. You’ve made it clear how you feel about me.”
What the fuck have I done?
“Emilia,” I said, attempting to reach for her, but she stormed past me and pulled the door open.
“Leave now.”
I just stared down at her as I slipped my coat on.
She wouldn’t look at me.
Couldn’t stand the sight of me.
I turned and stepped outside. The apology was barely out of my mouth when the door slammed loudly behind me.
For the first time in my life, I felt like my world had just ended.
I climbed into my truck and drove to my parents’ house. I knew they’d talk me through it, and where I normally wanted to be alone, I didn’t want that right now.
I drove the short distance and parked in the driveway, the pain in my chest making it difficult to breathe.
I pushed the front door open and heard Cutler’s voice coming from down the hallway. He was here with my parents for a few days while Nash and Emerson were on a little trip together.
“Uncle B, what are you doing here? It’s Valentine’s Day,” he said as he ran toward me, and I bent down and gave him a hug.
“Hey, Beefcake, I was just coming by to check on everyone.” I felt sick to my stomach. I was actually having a physical reaction to what had just happened.
My mother came around the corner first, concern etched on her face the minute she took me in. “Sweetheart, I thought you were with Emilia tonight?”
My father was next, and he had the same concern in his gaze.
I gave them the short version of what had happened. The dishonest version that I’d tried to sell to Emilia.
The version where I was trying to do something good for her.
“Oh man, my uncles are not good with the ladies,” Cutler said, taking a bite of a cookie and then studying me. “That would hurt my feelings if someone wanted me to move far away.”
Even he looked appalled by me.
“I thought she’d be happy,” I said, trying to justify my actions, which I knew deep down were not right.
“You did? I think your girl just wants you to spend Valentine’s Day with her and tell her that you love her. That’s what my pops says. I don’t think Mama would be happy if he found her a job far away.” He scratched the side of his head. “Remember when me and Pops took an airplane all the way tofind Mama and tell her we loved her because that’s what family does? They want to be together, not apart.”
My father cleared his throat and gave me that knowing look.
This was much deeper than I’d wanted it to be.
We all knew it.
“I do remember that,” I said, a lump forming in my throat. I’d fucked up big time, and I didn’t even know if it was fixable. “You guys brought her back home.”
“Yep. And we were okay with living there with Mama if she wanted to stay. Because that’s all that matters, Uncle B. Being together. Isn’t Emilia your girl?”
“Yes,” I said, my voice gruff.
“Then that means she’s your family.”
I nodded and rubbed my face as my mother brought over two mugs and set them in front of us. She glanced at my father, who told Cutler they were going to give my mom and me some time to talk, and the two left to go play some cards.
