“No. He’s not answering his phone. But I’m not exactly surprised he doesn’t want to talk to me. I lied to him too. And I know him—he’s going to need a minute to hold on to his grudges.”
I stayedon Kylie’s couch for days. I got up to shower and change clothes, but that was about it. I knew I was wallowing, but I couldn’t help it. Just breathing felt difficult. Eating held no appeal. The only thing I wanted to do was go back in time.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d made a horrible mistake. But it hadn’t even been my decision. Hayden had been the one to walk away, not me. If it was a mistake, it had been his, and there was nothing I could do about it. But that didn’t stop me from waking up in the middle of the night, covered in sweat, my heart trying to beat through my ribs and my lungs seizing in my chest.
Tears blurred my vision for what had to be thethousandth time since Saturday as I looked down at my phone. I hadn’t heard a word from or about Hayden.
Miles told me he hadn’t seen him since the disaster of a family dinner. He’d texted him a few times and had been ignored just like Maggie. Maybe that should have made me feel better—it wasn’t just me he wasn’t speaking to—but it only made me feel worse. I hated the idea of Hayden cutting everyone off. I wanted him to have support, for someone to be there for him the way my friends and sisters-in-law had been for me.
“Okay, come on. We’re getting out of this apartment,” Kylie said, plucking the phone from my hand.
“You go. I’m going to stay here.”
“No, you’re not.” She disappeared into her bedroom and returned with a bathing suit, which she threw at me. “Put that on. We’re going to the pool.”
I shook my head. “I really don’t want to be in public right now.”
“We’re not going to be in public. We’re going to Sam’s.”
“That’s actually worse.”
“Well, you don’t get a choice in the matter. You can either come with me or Nate’s going to come here and drag you out. I love you, Dani, but I’m not going to be able to protect you from a warrior angel.”
I sighed. “Why does he care?”
“Because Micah called a meeting for first thing tomorrow morning, and he wants you there tonight. The pool was my idea, but if you’d rather stay inside the house, that’s your choice.”
I shook my head, already walking toward thebathroom. I’d much rather hide in the pool than have to face my brothers.
When we got to Sam’s house, I went around to the back without saying hi to anyone.
The pool was an anniversary gift to Piper that Sam had had installed back in the spring. It looked beautiful and peaceful, all lit up in the dark.
I slipped into the warm water and dove to the bottom. Maybe I’d just stay here where no one could see me cry. It’s not like I could drown. Breathing underwater was one of the perks of being an angel. It wasn’t comfortable, but I’d live.
Mind made up, I lay back on the floor of the pool and closed my eyes.
I wasn’t sure how long I lay there before another body joined me. I felt the water move around me before I heard his voice.
“What are you doing down here?” Nate asked.
“Swimming.”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re hiding.”
“Clearly it’s not working.”
“Danielle.”
“What?”
“Look at me.”
I debated ignoring him, but I wasn’t really in the mood to deal with whatever consequences would come of that decision. I opened my eyes and met his green ones. They studied me for a minute, and then he reached out and pulled me into his arms.
I was so surprised that for a few seconds I couldn’tmove, but eventually I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured.
