His eyes glitter with a hardness that steels my breath. “I can’t stop thinking how different things would be if you hadn’t published that article.”
His words hurt more than I’d like to admit, but I do my best not to show it because I know he’s hurting. I still believe we have a chance at something special. Or is that me trying to make something work again that’snot meant to be?
“Luke, you can’t live life forward when you’re constantly looking back.”
Even in the waning light, I don’t miss the way his jaw tenses. “Then go live your life forward, Sophie.”
Then he walks away, leaving me in the darkness in more ways than one.
CHAPTER 28
LUKE
Put it on record. Walking away from Sophie is officially the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But we’re clearly not on the same page, and right now, I don’t have the strength to try to make sense of hers. She doesn’t get what this is doing to me.
I clutch the paper in my hand, tempted to toss it into the trash receptacle I pass on the way to my car. But then I hear Kinsley’s voice in my head, telling me that’s a jerk move, which prevents me from following through.
Fresh anger surges through me over the thought of that man searching her out. Did he show up on her college campus unannounced and catch her off guard? And I walked out, leaving her alone with him again.
Well, not entirely alone. I’m sure Gabe looked out for her. Even so, I walked away, letting her down just like my father did with me.
Sadly, I seem to be doing a lot of that lately. Failing my team, my sister, and deep down, I know I let Sophie down too. The last words I spoke to her twist in my gut as I pull out of the parking lot and head back to…back to…
I don’t know where to go. If I go to Gabe’s, I’ll have totalk about what went down today, and I’m not in a good place to do that right now.
Kinsley. I need to find my sister and make sure she’s safe. I tap her number on the Car Play screen.
“About time you called.” Her sassy tone almost makes me smile.
Almost. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, but I don’t think you are.” She’s not far from the truth. My sister really should consider a minor in psychology.
“Where are you?”
“Gabe’s. They invited us over for dinner while we waited to hear whether you were still alive or not.” Though I find her words cringeworthy, I know I deserve it.
“Sorry.”
Her sigh fills my car, and her voice softens. “Are you okay?”
I should be strong for her, but I’m feeling everything but that right now. “Not really.”
“Did Sophie find you?”
“Yeah.”
“And?” Her sarcasm rides in full force.
“And what? I should have listened to my gut the first time, Kins. If she hadn’t fumbled that piece about me, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
“What are you talking about, Luke?”
“The article. That’s how he found you, right?”
“You know, for being eight years older than me, you sure can be a dumbass sometimes.”
“Kins, stop with the diatribe and connect the dots for me.”
