Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Maybe Harper will. I’m sure Callan has told her about me.
Then again, if he’s decided we’re over, she won’t.
Shit.
Sitting down on the carpet that needs a good cleaning, I cradle my sprained wrist against my chest.
Why is everything so hard?
The realization hits me square in the chest – if everyone is upset with me, I have to be the problem.
Am I too stubborn? Should I have studied law and listened to my parents?
I sure as hell shouldn’t have taken Callan to that stupid party.
But no, I still don’t feel like I’m in the wrong where my parents are concerned.
Rubbing my palm over my face, I let out a groan.
Get your butt up off this floor. You have a lot to do.
Dragging myself to my feet, I grab my wallet and new phone and leave the house. I make sure to lock the front door behind me and quickly Google the nearest store so I can get some groceries.
There’s such a long list of things I have to get, it feels overwhelming. A bed. Furniture and a TV.
Taking a deep breath, I lift my chin and face the day head-on.
It takes hours to get half of the things on my to-do list done, and the bed I managed to find will only be delivered in two days.
Tomorrow I’ll search for furniture. I also have to face my parents so I can get the rest of my belongings.
That’s not going to go well.
I’m busy making a grilled cheese sandwich while sipping on a cup of coffee.
I have to sleep on the floor until my bed arrives, so I’ve purchased a couple of blankets and pillows that will just have to do in the meantime.
I let out another sigh as I look around the empty house. Everything feels foreign, only adding to the debilitating loneliness in my chest.
I wonder if Callan returned my calls or messaged me.
Tomorrow I’ll ask my mother if I can look at the phone.
Chapter 34
Callan
I’ve been doing my best to take Ellie’s advice and have waited until after I got settled in my hotel room to call Lily again.
It’s been a long six hours of waiting.
I press dial on Lily’s number and listen as it rings. When the call goes to voicemail, I push a hand through my hair in frustration.
“Lily, please answer your phone. I’m in Houston.” I close my eyes as worry seizes my chest. “Please don’t end things between us. Give me the chance to explain everything.” I pause again, a wave of intense heartache rippling through me. “I love you.” I let out an empty-sounding chuckle. “This is not how I wanted to tell you. Please call me back.”
Ending the call, I have to resist the urge to throw the device against a wall and instead toss it on the bed.
The phone beeps, and I almost tackle the fucking bed to get it.
Relief washes through me when I see a message from Lily.
Lily: Your actions last night were unacceptable. You almost hit me!!!!!!! I can’t look past your violent behavior. It’s over between us. Don’t contact me again!!
No.
Hell, the fuck, no.
I dial Lily’s number but, once again, it goes to voicemail.
Ending the call, I type a message.
Callan: I would never hit you, Lily. You know me better than that. Answer my call so we can talk about this.
My heart is beating out of my chest as I watch her read the text and reply.
Lily: I don’t want to talk to you. Leave me alone.
I stare at the words that are so unlike Lily, but figuring she’s speaking out of anger and hurt, I try again.
Callan: I’m sorry I hurt you. That was never my intention. I had a bad panic attack and wasn’t thinking straight. After all we’ve shared, I deserve more than a breakup over text. I’ll give you time. When I call tomorrow, please answer so we can talk about everything.
Lily: There’s nothing to talk about. I’m going to block your number if you continue harassing me.
Jesus fucking Christ.
Is this really happening?
I read the messages again, unable to accept Lily won’t even hear my side.
Dropping the device on the bed, I rest my elbows on my knees and rub my palms over my face.
Lily is just upset. Once she’s calmed down, we’ll talk about this fucking mess.
Unless her parents got into her head.
Fuck.
Staring at the desk where my laptop lies, fear bleeds into my heart.
Lily hasn’t told me much about her family. She said they weren’t close, but that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t listen to them.
Still, the Lily I’ve gotten to know would, at the very least, talk to me.
I think about all the time we’ve spent together. Our conversations. Making love to her.
I know she has strong feelings for me.
My gaze settles on my cell phone, and feeling frustrated and confused, it takes all my willpower not to message her again.