There was movement headed in my direction. They were coming inside, and I was going to have to be faced to face with Will again.
I couldn’t do it.
I never wanted to see him again.
Standing, I backed away before turning and dashing for the front door. Before they could come inside, I was already on the front porch and sprinting down to Zada’s house.
I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I couldn’t tell Aiken about his brother. He would never believe me. My own mother hadn’t believed me. I could never make Aiken choose between his brother and me. And if I did, I knew he would never pick me.
No one ever did.
I wouldn’t survive it if Aiken didn’t choose me. It would kill me slowly, stripping me of all that I was and leaving nothing but dust and bones behind. I couldn’t do it, which meant I had to leave him before he found out the truth and tossed me away like I was nothing.
38 Everly
MY CELL STARTED GOING NUTStwenty minutes after I got to Zada’s house, but every time Aiken called, I sent it directly to voicemail. Once he realized I wasn’t going to answer, he began texting me.
Aiken: Where are you?
Aiken: Babe, is everything ok?
Aiken: You’re worrying me, Everly. Answer your phone.
Aiken: What the fuck is happening? Where are you?
He came down to Zada’s and beat on the door, but I was there alone, and I didn’t answer. He had to know I was close, though, since I hadn’t taken Erik’s car. At one point, I worried he was going to rip the door down, but he left and started calling me again.
I had to respond at some point, but I didn’t know what to say yet.
Aiken: Please, baby, tell me you’re ok.
Aiken: Everly, whatever it is, I can fix it.
I squeezed my eyes closed and let the tears spill down my cheeks. Hurting him was going to kill me, but I had to do it. I could never tell him about his brother, and yet, I refused to be around Will. I had no other choice but to end it. I didn’t want to come between him and the only family he had.
He stopped texting and calling for an hour before he texted once more.
Aiken: Please, Everly.
I held my cell close to my chest, knowing I had to respond.
Me: I’m ok.
Aiken: Where are you?
I didn’t respond.
Aiken: Why did you leave? What did I do?
He hadn’t done anything. He was perfect, and I loved him beyond measure, which was why I had to walk away.
Aiken: Please come home to me.
I couldn’t go home—especially not while Will was there. Once he was gone, I would go get my things and bring them back to Zada’s. It was only right.
I waited two hours for Will to leave, and once he did, I left Zada’s and walked back to the house. When I stepped through the front door, I found Aiken sitting on the couch with his elbows resting on his knees and a look of absolute devastation on his face.
He looked up when I entered, and he stood, the fear and worry on his face clearing.