The coiled tension in his limbs eases, and he trails the back of his knuckles across my wet cheek. “I love you enough for the both ofus.”
“I’m going to make you hate me. It’sinevitable.”
Heat flares in his eyes, darkening the seafoam blue to a soulful indigo. “Nothing you can do will change how Ifeel.”
I don’t deserve his kindness, and I sure as hell don’t deserve his love. The path I walk is a one-way direction to hell, and I won’t drag him down with me. Besides, I’m putting this town and everyone in it behind me. Includinghim.
“Go home, Carrick. I don’t want youhere.”
“But what if Ross comesback?”
“Hewon’t.”
He frowns. “I won’t be able to sleep if I’m worried aboutyou.”
Slipping into my role, I throw my arms out wide and laugh. “What are you going to do—stand out here in the rain and guard me like some straydog?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you so obsessed withme?”
“I’m not obsessed, but making sure you rest peacefully tonight will allow me to do ittomorrow.”
I latch my arms around my middle and drop my gaze. “You can’t saveme.”
“Then I’ll just protectyou.”
Turning my back to him, I punch in the keypad code and throw all my weight against the door, slamming it behind me. After climbing to the third floor, I rip the rest of the tattered gown off and pull on a tank top and boy shorts. With wet skin and drenched hair, I climb into bed, tears trickling from the corners of my eyes. I hate emotion. It’s why I prefer to hide behind a façade, showing the world the only face they careabout.
The fakeone.
Burying my face in the pillow, I cry for me. I cry for Carrick. I cry for being forced to juggle as many masks as I do lies. A few moments later, a familiar warmth settles over me, and I crawl to the window to confirm what I alreadyknow.
My throat tightens the minute I see him. His white tuxedo shirt is plastered against him and he stands with his hands shoved deep into his pockets, staring up at my window. He doesn’t move, his expression stoic and his soaked unruly onyx hair sagging against hisforehead.
I watch him watch me and the warmth inside me escalates. I shouldn’t want him here, but I can’t help how safe he makes me feel. I should scream at him to go, but my selfish side takes everything he offers without an ounce ofgratitude.
My eyes brim again as I push away from the window and crawl back intobed.
I won’t allow him to waste another night on me after this. But for now, I settle underneath my heavy white comforter and close my eyes, exhaling a remorseful breath for the peace I feel tonight and the destruction I’ll causetomorrow.
* * *
Present Day
“Miss—Imean, Shiloh, we’rehere.”
Lifting my forehead off the window, I notice Will facing me with a pensive stare. My heart races and a whooshing sound fills myears.
“Already?”
“You’ve been zoned out for the last twenty minutes,” he points out, cutting the ignition. “Ready to goin?”
“Is that another one of your rhetorical questions?” I ask, turning a blank stare out the windowagain.
“I suppose itis.”
“Which means I don’t have a choice.” The memories that have pummeled me since stepping off the plane won’t leave my mind, turning an already tense situation almost unbearable. My eyes lock on the white plaque on the outside of the otherwise plain brick building. It proudly displays the name that sours mystomach.
