I tried to make her hate me once, and it didn’t work then, but maybe it has now.
Chapter Thirty
Ithoughtaboutnotanswering the phone when Roman’s name popped up. I thought about sending it to voicemail or just ignoring, or smashing my phone into a thousand tiny pieces just so I didn’t have to talk to him.
After our argument last night, I can’t face him—for several reasons. Not only was Roman a complete asshole about the whole thing, for some reason, I decided that was the best time to profess my love to him.
I didn’t mean to tell Roman that I’m in love with him. I was angry and emotional and it slipped out of my mouth before I knew what I was saying.
That doesn’t mean it isn’t true, though.
I am in love with Roman, and I know he feels it, too. It’s the only way I can make sense of his reaction. He’s in love with me, too, and he’s worried about me leaving. If he’d have let me get a word in edgewise, we could have had a civilized conversationabout the whole thing. Instead, we both went to bed angry and alone hours before I had to hop a plane to St. Louis.
He wasn’t up when I left for the airport this morning, and aside from a few short logistical texts, we haven’t spoken. I hate fighting with him, especially with the pressure that he’s under, so I swallow my frustration and I answer when he calls.
But when the screen flashes on, it’s Ty’s face I see instead of Roman’s, which is kind of a relief.
“Wow!” He’s spent the last few minutes telling me all about the adventure he and his dad went on this afternoon. “That sounds like so much fun. I’m sorry I missed it.”
“That’s okay.” Ty grins. “Dad said we can go back again, and this time I might actually get in the tank!”
My eyes widen. “Really?”
“They have a program where you can snorkel in one of the tanks with nurse sharks. I told Ty we might be able to do that for his birthday,” Roman says from somewhere offscreen, the sound of his voice making the hair on the back of my neck stand up, because I’m both nervous and desperate to see him.
“Except my birthday isn’t until January,” Ty groans, dropping his head back.
“Well, maybe I want to go for my birthday.” I shrug.
His face lights up. “Yeah, see Dad? We have to go sooner.”
“Now you’re ganging up on me?” I still can’t see Roman, but when he laughs, it makes me weak.
“We can’t disappoint Maddie, Dad.” Ty smirks, glancing off to the side. Roman’s hand reaches over, ruffling Ty’s hair, and then a few seconds later, he comes on screen.
“No, we certainly cannot.” He gives me a smile, eyes dark and tired. “Ty, why don’t you tell Madison goodnight? It’s time for bed.”
“What? It’s not even a school night!”
Roman answers Ty’s protests with a harsh look, and Ty concedes. “Fine. Goodnight, Maddie. See you in a few days.”
“Goodnight, Ty!”
“I’ll be up in a few minutes, okay? Make sure you brush your teeth,” Roman calls after him.
Then he turns to me and we’re all alone.
“Everything going okay there?” he asks.
I nod. “Pretty uneventful so far.”
“And Ernie is still there?”
I roll my eyes. “He’s got his van parked just down the street.”
“Good. Thanks for humoring me.” He runs his fingers through his hair. I hate how forced the conversation between us feels. “Look, Maddie, I…I have to go put Ty to bed, but can I call you after? Just so we can talk.”
“Tonight’s not really good, Roman.” I suck in a sharp breath. “My brother is hosting a celebration dinner for my dad and I’m already late.”
