"It doesn't matter."
"Of course it does."
"You shouldn't be with me." His voice is dripping with hurt, but it's still confident. Sure.
"I get to decide that."
"Yeah. But I do too." He takes a step backward. "I'm sorry, Kay. Have a safe flight."
Then he turns and leaves.
And takes my heart with him.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Brendon
I sit in my car for a fucking eternity.
I check the flight notice again and again.
Boarding.
Boarded.
On its way.
I turn my car on. Plug my cell into the stereo. Blast something by The Descendants.
The parking fee is a fucking crime.
But I don't care.
I take the streets to Lincoln and I drive. I drive until the street becomes Pacific Coast Highway proper. I drive until I'm curving around Pacific Palisades then the Malibu hills.
It doesn't help my thoughts come together.
I keep seeing the hurt on Kaylee's face.
Like I ripped her heart in half.
I was sure I was right. That hurting her was a necessary evil. That she shouldn't be with me much less love me.
But the more I drive, the less sense it makes.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Kaylee
I rest my head against the window and watch the clouds roll by.
It's strange. I'm empty. But my thoughts have nowhere to go.
My head is only more of a mess.
Brendon insisting I shouldn't love him.
Emma calling me a liar.