Rylan pinched the bridge of his nose, and Faith could tell he was frustrated. The fact he’d gone to a party the night before and told her it was a meeting, and how he couldn’t look at her now, told her what she needed to know. Her time with him had come to an end.
She could feel her lungs constrict and tears fill her eyes. No, she wasn’t going to cry. While she knew this would happen, she didn't think it would hurt this bad. It was actually good that it was happening right then instead of after they moved. At least in Denver, she knew the city.
She wasn’t meant to be loved. She was different. So why couldn’t she get used to it? Or stop trying?
Faith bit down on her lip when Rylan pulled the woman away from her. She couldn’t hear what was said. Both of them faced away from her so she couldn’t see the emotions, but then she didn’t have to.
Duncan growled when she tried to get away again.
“Let me go, Duncan. I don’t want to be here anymore.”
“You’ll stay and let Rylan explain.”
“Why? He lied to me. I get punished when I do that. The fact his mom can’t stand me, and he’s going to parties is enough for me to know I need to leave.”
“You’re not going anywhere, honey. I know it looks bad, but give him a chance.”
She felt the cold ball of misery grow in her belly. At the same time, the walls Rylan had knocked down rebuilt to protect her as much as she could. She’d let her emotions go when she was alone.
The woman walked away and out the front doors, and Rylan came back to them. Faith kept her eyes down and any emotion off her face.
“So, what the hell, man?” Duncan asked.
She heard the anger in Duncan’s tone but didn’t understand.
Rylan sighed.
She cleared her throat and tried to look Duncan in the eyes, but instead, she looked at his chin. “Duncan, why are you mad at him?”
“You’re kidding me, right?”
She shook her head. “It’s not our business what he does…”
Rylan cursed. “Baby, let me explain.”
She raised her hands. “No, listen. Everything’s good.”
Rylan’s brows pinched together. “Let me…”
“No, Da … Rylan. I know you both have work to do. I’ll just head out.”
Rylan scowled. “I don’t think so.”
“What are you doing, honey? Tell him how you feel,” Duncan demanded.
She turned to Duncan and smiled brightly. “There’s nothing to talk about. I’m fine. Really.”
Her heart pounded in her chest, and it took all her strength to act normal. That was the problem. If you had your walls down, it was harder to make people believe you.
“Let’s go upstairs,” Rylan said.
“This is silly. Both of you go back to work.”
Rylan crossed his arms over his chest. “So, you don’t care that I supposedly lied to you and that woman was here to see me?”
She felt herself flinch and hoped they hadn’t noticed. Her cheeks were starting to hurt with the effort it took to keep the smile on her face.
“N … no.” She wanted to say more but knew her emotions were too close to the surface.
Duncan let her arm go, and she took a few steps back.
“All right, good—” Rylan said, but Duncan interrupted him.
“Wait a fucking second. You don’t believe this shit, do you, Rylan?”
Rylan narrowed his eyes on her. “Yes, because she told me she’d never lie to me again.”
She gritted her teeth to prevent herself from yelling, Well, you said you’d never lie to me or throw me away.
Duncan shook his head.
“So, I’m going to head out. I’ll see you later.”
Rylan nodded his head. “I’ll be home later.”
“Okay, Da … Rylan.” She turned and walked out. She strolled several blocks before she leaned against the building to catch her breath because the pain was so intense. It felt like her heart was being torn from her chest.
When she felt she could walk without passing out, she headed to the curb to catch a cab. She needed to get home to Rylan’s house before she broke down. It would take a while to shore up the walls she used to have and hadn’t thought she’d ever need again.
When she got a cab, she sat on the seat and rested her head back. God, she was such a fool. When in the hell was she going to learn? Maybe this would be what it took to make her finally believe she wasn’t worth loving, and that way, she’d never had to feel this kind of pain again for as long as she lived.