Page 121 of Someday Away

“Bennett!” I hear Trey’s voice behind me, but I ignore him, breathing in the rush of icy air that hits my lungs as I step outside onto the sidewalk. I take out my phone and pull up the Uber app, cursing when I see that prices are sky-high and the wait is several minutes. I sit on the curb, put my coat to my face, and let myself cry.

TREY

“Bennett!” I call after her, doing my best to follow her without causing too many heads to turn.

Honestly, I was hoping Link would finally give in and break all this tension between them.But she broke instead, I think as she takes off across the room.

A large hand catches my arm, halting my progress.

“What’s going on?” Lincoln asks.

“I’m not sure,” I say. “She just took off. But I’m going after her.”

He sighs. “This is my fault.”

“Yeah, it is,” I say, and he flinches. I put my hand over his, pausing for a moment before pushing him away from my arm. “Just…let me go to her. I’ll smooth it over.”

He nods tightly. “I’ll fix it soon. I promise.”

I turn, walking into the main part of the bar, and nod to Gus as I run out the front door. The chill in the air cuts right through my flannel shirt, and I hug my arms around myself, searching for Charlie.

I don’t have to look far. She’s a few feet away, sitting on the curb with her face pressed into the coat on her knees. Her shoulders are shaking gently, and I know she’s crying. My heart aches at the sight.

I approach her slowly, sitting down beside her. “Charlie,” I say, pausing when her posture stiffens. “Are you okay?”

She looks away, rubbing her cheeks with the heel of her hands. “Fine.” Her voice shakes. “Just too much to drink, I guess.” When she looks at me, her eyes are red, and I can still see tears clinging to her lashes.

I sigh. “Don’t give up on him, Charlie. Please. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but he’s trying—he’s ready to talk.”

Her green eyes darken with anger. “I’m so tired of everyone telling me that—defending his shitty behavior. I know you want me to save him, Trey, but I can’t do it anymore.” She takes a deep breath. “I’m not enough,” she says quietly. “I wish I was.”

“Just talk to him,” I plead. “I know he wants to fix this just as bad as you do.”

She stares at me, and for a minute, I think she considers my words, but then her eyes soften sadly, and she shakes her head. “I don’t think I can,” she whispers. “This—” she gestures at her chest “—hurts too damn much.” Her lip quivers as she meets my gaze. “I feel like his dirty secret right now, and I can’t…I won’t wait around for him to decide whether I’m worth it or whether he’s worth it.” She sighs heavily. “Just let me go home. My Uber will be here any minute.”

I nod mutely, pulling her into my side and kissing the top of her head. “Get some rest, Bennett.”

Then I go to stand and walk back inside, a cold feeling of dread pooling in my stomach.

CHARLIE

Footfalls scuff on the pavement, and I sniff, rubbing more moisture from my eyes.

“Trey, I said I’m okay. Please just go.”

“Not Trey,” says a deep voice.

I stiffen, looking up at Matt Johnson.

He towers over me, and the streetlight to his back makes him more shadow than man. “I thought that was you.”

I look at my phone to see where my Uber is.Shit. Five more minutes.

“What a nice little argument that was,” he says, his tone thick with malice.

I consider going back inside to wait, but he’s standing between me and the door. “Did you follow me to Brighton? Can’t you just leave me alone? What is it you want, Matt?” I ask, feigning confidence that I don’t feel.

He crouches down to my level, his sharp features coming into focus. “I wasn’t stalking you, Charlie baby. I just happened to be over at the diner having a bite when I saw you come out. You look upset.” He sounds almost gleeful. “Guess you took my advice and dumped those losers.”

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