Page 82 of His to Love
More tears fell down my cheeks and I shook my head again. “I don’t know anything. Not anymore. Not when it comes to you.”
“I love you,” he said and walked to me until his hands curved around my shoulders. He stared me straight in the eyes and repeated, “I love you, Gabriella Bluejay Galecki. Do not leave here tonight without knowing that…without hearing this.”
“You don’t,” I croaked and shook him off.
My phone rang again.
This time, Tyson looked at my purse. “You better answer that.”
“Goodbye, Tyson.” I turned to walk away, but when I did, Tyson reached for me and pulled me back to him so my back was close to his chest, his mouth at my ear.
In front of me, Malik was walking up the lawn. His hand was on his phone, holding it to his ear, and he was glaring at Tyson.
Tyson whispered in my ear. “We need to talk, though, and soon. That case I told you I was wrapping up this week? Think about that, Blue. There are things I need to tell you about. Things I need to warn you—”
“We need to go,” Malik stated, cutting off Tyson.
My phone beeped in my purse.
Ice slithered into my veins.
“No.” I shook my head rapidly and stepped away from both of the men who were staring at me.
Malik nodded and Tyson cursed.
“That was your father,” Malik stated. “It’s your mom. We need to go.”
“Fuck,” Tyson cursed again and stepped toward me. “Blue.”
My name rolling off his lips sounded tortured.
I held my hand up and glared at him. “I can’t do this. Not tonight. Not now.”
Not ever again.
Malik held out his hand for me to take, but I brushed him away too. If someone touched me, I’d crumble.
I turned away from both men and walked toward the limo, but paused when Tyson called my name again. I looked at him over my shoulder and saw his expression twisted into pain and regret. It was clear.
It was also too late.
“I do love you, Blue.”
I’d wanted to hear those words for so long, and now, it was too late for those, too.
I said nothing but turned around and climbed into the waiting car, sliding to the far end and kicking off my heels.
Then I pulled my feet up onto the bench, dropped my head to my knees, and sobbed.
Chapter 19
“Where is she?” I shouted as soon as I ran into my family’s house, still shoeless. Desperation clawed at my throat, making me feel wild and feral.
My vision blurred as Clarissa shuffled out of the kitchen and headed straight toward me with her arms open. “Bella,” she whispered, tears already falling down her cheeks.
“No.” I shook my head and took several steps away from her. “She’s not—” The word “gone” clogged in my throat, unable to escape.
I knew it had been coming. I knew it was here.
