Page 96 of Beneath the Blue Moon
“Thanks, guys.I appreciate—”
Casey.I look to the house, sniffing the air.Her scent isgetting weak.
“What is it?”
Ignoring Taylor’s question, I take off running into thehouse.When I get to my bedroom, the bed is empty.I rush to the window, andher car isn’t in the driveway.She left?When I turn around, everyone isstaring at something in the middle of the bed.I walk back to the bed and finda note under the credit card I gave her earlier.With trembling fingers, I pickup the note.
Ethan,
I know this is the coward’s way out, but I just couldn’tface you.You told me you love me.God knows I love you, too, but I can’t, ingood conscience, stay with you knowing I can’t give you what you need.You needsomeone who can give you the life and future you deserve.As much as I wish I was,I’m not that woman.
I’m sorry.
This can’t be right.What the fuck is going on?She can’t bebreaking up with me.
“What does it say?”Charlie asks.
“I just got dumped,” I reply in a flat voice.
She loves me.Thiscan’tbe right.I need to talk toher.I push my way through the boys and hurry down the stairs.Footsteps behindme tell me they’re following.
“What do you mean ‘dumped’?What did you do, big brother?”
“I didn’t do anything, Andy.I’m going after her.I’ll beback.”
***Casey***
“Sweetheart?”Daddy knocks on my door.
“Come in, Daddy.”
I turn to face him, wiping at my tears as he perches on theedge of my bed and strokes my hair.
“Is it time to get my shotgun?”
“No.Unless you want to point it at me.He didn’t doanything wrong.”
“Then what happened?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
A vehicle pulls up outside, and I know, without a doubt,it’s him.Fear creeps into me.Not a fear of him, but I can’t face him.Notafter what I did and how I left.
“I don’t want to see him, Daddy… Please,” I beg.
“Don’t worry.I’ll take care of it, moonbeam.”
After he walks out, I crack my door and try to listen to theconversation.
“Where is she, Luke?”Ethan demands.
“She doesn’t want to see you, son.”
“Why?”
“She didn’t say, but she did tell me that you did nothingwrong.That’s the only reason I’m even talking to you.”
“I don’t understand.”
