Page 69 of Somebody to Save
“Fuck, I hate this. I wish I were there. Just keep me on the phone, okay? Don’t hang up.”
I wished Beckett was there, too. It made me feel better having him at my back—literally—the last time I saw Owen.
“I won’t,” I said quickly. Still holding the phone, I dropped it to my side as Owen stepped onto the porch.
“Hey, Addie,” he said softly. His hands were tucked into the front pockets of his jeans, and he was wearing the same black zip-up jacket he always did.
“Owen,” I said by way of greeting.
“I know you’re probably asking yourself what the hell I’m doing here.”
I didn’t think his stupid comment warranted a response.
He sighed and ran a hand through his brown hair. “I just couldn’t…I don’t want to let you go. I came by to plead my case one more time and hope that you would hear me out. And maybe I would be able to see how your grandmothers are doing? I’ve missed them.”
I sighed. “You can’t be serious.”
“I really wish I wasn’t, but I am. You won’t return my calls or respond to my texts. You can’t blame me for trying. You’re a fucking catch. And I’m willing to overlook the cheating. I know it was a one-time thing, and I can move past it.”
“Unfortunately, you realized that much too late,” I quipped, tucking my hands and my phone into my coat pockets. “I’m—” I was about to apologize, then realized I’d already apologized for cheating, and other than that, I didn’t have anything else to apologize for. So, I swallowed the words instead. “Your effort is noted, Owen, but this is pointless. I blocked your number, that’s why I haven’t responded, and we didn’t work for a reason. We broke up for areason. And can you really say you never cheatedon me? Not that it makes what I did any better, but we’re better off apart.”
He scrubbed a hand over his mouth and took a step toward me. Reflexively, I took a step back, and I could see his jaw work in irritation. His eyes roamed over my face, like he was looking for a flicker of doubt in my expression. But when he found none, he finally nodded his head.
“If you’re really sure…”
“I’m sure, Owen. I’mreallysure.”
“There’s nothing I can do? I mean, I realize I was a shitty boyfriend, but I can try harder. I can be who you want me to be. Can’t you give me another chance? We were together for so long. How can you throw it away?”
Sighing, I shook my head, irritation growing with every second he stood there. “No, I can’t, and I won’t. I’m done, Owen. You need to be, too.”
“Okay, okay,” he muttered. He looked like he was about to walk away, but he stopped and turned back at the last second. I tensed under his stare and braced myself for what he was about to say. “Are you still with that other guy?”
Unsure of his reaction, I didn’t want to lie, so I dipped my head slightly.
Owen nodded in understanding. “Well, I hope he’s everything you want. That he treats you better than I did.”
I didn’t move until Owen was back in his car and driving down the street. When he disappeared, I fished my phone out of my coat pocket, noting that Beckett was still there.
“Did you hear any of that?”
“Yeah, I heard all of it,” he said.
“I think he might have actually gotten the point this time,” I said optimistically. “At least I hope he did.”
“Fuck, I’m sorry I wasn’t there. But if he tries again, we’ll go the legal route. We’ll get a court order if we need to.”
I paced farther down the porch, to the end with Nana’s ramp, and smiled at his protectiveness. It felt good to be cared aboutlike that. That he was willing to stop at nothing to make sure I was safe and cared for. It felt so good, but it was equally terrifying. Because now, I had somebody I was desperate not to lose.
“I just wanted you to know…somehow you’re mine, baby girl, and I’m going to show you every day how grateful I am for you.”?
THIRTY-THREE
A CABIN IN THE WOODS
Beckett
“I’ll beout of the office but have access to my email. If you need anything, let me know or shoot me a text, and I’ll respond as soon as I can.”
