Page 106 of Up In Flames
Livvy looks over her shoulder to see her brother’s ex-boyfriend in our wake, and she comes to a screeching halt. “You’ve caused my brother enough pain. Just leave him the fuck alone.”
Patrick’s eyes dart to Livvy.
“I’m not talking toyou,” he practically snarls at her.
“And I don’t have anything to say toyou,” Taylor says. His broken voice has methis closeto knocking Patrick’s veneers out right here in this fucking parking lot.
“But that doesn’t mean I don’t have something to say toyou,” Patrick argues back to Taylor.
“He saidno,” I grit out, stopping and turning to face Patrick. I’ll happily be a wall if it allows Taylor to put more distance between himself and his ex.
Patrick’s eyes snap to mine. There are wrinkles in the corners, not unlike my own. His hair is mostly gray, whereas I only have a few. The months without Taylor don’t seem to have done his physique any favors, but he mostly still has his shit together.
He eyes me with contempt.
“I know helooksyoung, but please remember that Taylor is an adult,” Patrick says loud enough for Taylor to hear. I recognize the attempt at getting on Tay’s good side for what it is.
“Oh, that’s really fucking rich coming from you!” Taylor yells, moving to stand beside me.No, no, no! You’re supposed to be tucking yourself away in my truck!
Patrick flinches at Taylor’s harsh tone.
“Can we please just have a conversation?” Patrick begs, eyes flicking to me and then back to Taylor. “Somewhere private?”
I feel Taylor weakening beside me, and my chest cracks open a little.
Just like I deserved closure with Karen, Taylor deserves to have closure with this dickwad, so I stay silent, allowing him to choose.
When Taylor’s eyes find mine, I see his need for this conversation in them.
My nostrils flare as I rein in my emotions, nodding once. Maybe if they talk their shit out, Taylor can finally move on for good, and Patrick will take a hint and leave us the fuck alone.
“One conversation,” Taylor agrees.
I try like hell not to let him see the piece of my heart that just broke off as I stand stoically by his side.
Patrick’s facial features relax, and he takes my tolerance a step too far.
“If you’ve got time, maybe we could grab a bite to eat? I assume you’re not flying early tomorrow since you’re here tonight.”
It’s such a passive-aggressive statement. Patrick wants me to know thatheknowsTaylor and his schedule.
“I don’t—” Taylor starts, but I talk over him.
“Absolutely not. You talk here, or it doesn’t happen.” I step closer to Patrick, who is only an inch or so shorter than me, but I’ve got way more bulk. “I don’t care if you do it in there,” I nod toward the bar, “or out here, but what you’renotgoing to do is takemyboyfriend off the premises.”
“Actually, I—” Taylor starts again, but it’s Patrick who cuts him off this time.
“Need I remind you, I’ve known Taylor his entire life. Whatever you two have found in the last ten months will never make up for the lifetime of moments I’ve had with him.”
“I don’t even want—” Taylor starts, getting cut off once again. All my focus is on Patrick, so Tay’s attempts to enter this argument aren’t really registering anymore.
“Maybe not, but it’s notyourname he cries when he comes so hard he damn near blacks out.” It’s an immature thing to say, and I hate that I’m letting Patrick pick at my insecurities, but all I feel is victory when he winces in pain at my words, and I keep going. “It’s notyouhe comes home to after a flight. It’s notyouhe calls from the hotel. And it’s notyouhe’s going home with tonight.”
“That’s not for you to decide,” Patrick grits out angrily.
“Does anyone want to hear—” Taylor starts again, but again, I cut him off. I know he should have a chance to address this, but this argument, whileabout him,doesn’t need toinvolve him. This is personal, and is between me, as his current boyfriend, and Patrick, as his ex.
“Listen very carefully, Patrick. Taylor. Is.Mine. You’ve lost, and you have no one to blame except yourself.”
