CHAPTER19
Liam
The weekend couldn’t have gone better. Kyleigh smiled almost the entire time. When we weren’t making love, we were sitting by the fire telling crazy stories of our youth. Mostly my crazy stories. Kyleigh seemed to have been the perfect child. I didn’t think she’d ever done anything wrong or disobeyed her parents. Until she met me. I’m a bad influence.
In my eyes, she was nothing but perfect.
There was only one snag in our little getaway and that was the ride back to Boston. Although Kyleigh tried to hide it, I could see her smile fading the closer we got to the city. And now that we were parked in front of Shaun and Morgan’s house, the sadness was evident in her eyes.
There was nothing I could say or do to fix it. The reality is that I’m going to be boarding a jet for Tabiq in a few hours and leaving her behind.
We sat in the limo, neither of us knowing how to start the painful conversation that needed to take place. Prolonging it wasn’t going to make it any easier.
Holding her hand I said, “I’m going to miss you more than you know.” Surprisingly, that was honest. I’d never spent so much time with a woman as I had with Kyleigh. Usually after a day or two, I was bored. It was sad and shallow, but it was the truth.
“Liam, let’s not talk about it. I don’t think I can say the words.”
“Then let’s not say them. I know we are going to see each other again. There is no doubt in my mind about that,” I said.
“Please. Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” I asked, not understanding what she was trying to tell me.
“Holding onto hope is only going to prolong the inevitable. What we had was wonderful, but it’s…over. I’ll…I…I should go inside. I’m sure they’re wondering what is keeping me,” she said.
I didn’t want to let her go. Not like this. But she was right, there was no point in prolonging this. It wasn’t like I could blow off my brother’s wedding. He’d never forgive me and I’d never forgive myself.
Leaning over, I kissed her briefly and said, “I’m always just a phone call away. I mean it, Kyleigh. Call anytime.”
Even as she nodded, I knew that she’d never reach out, and it hurt like hell. We got out of the limo, and I went to help her with her luggage.
“No. I can do it myself.”
She took one in each hand and headed up the walkway to the door. I stood there watching her, waiting for her to glance back one more time. She didn’t, but I couldn’t move until I saw her go inside.
Getting back in the limo, I told the driver to bring me to the airport. I would be there a little early, but there was no place else I actually wanted to be, if not with Kyleigh.
While I waited at the airport, Finn called.
“Hi, Finn. Do you need something?” I asked.
“Yes. To know that you’re actually on your way to Tabiq,” he said.
“I’ll be boarding the plane shortly. Why, did you think I’d forget?” I asked.
“To be honest, I wasn’t sure you were going to come,” he said.
“What the fuck? You’re my brother. Why would you even think such a thing?” I barked.
“You haven’t been yourself lately. And before you snap at me again, check yourself. You know it’s true,” he responded.
He was right. I hadn’t been acting like my usual self. Never before had I chased a woman. Then again, I’d never wanted to. From the moment I laid eyes on Kyleigh, I was lost. Even now, I felt a twist in my gut at having to part ways with her. I told myself that this wasn’t goodbye, but it sure as fuck felt like it.
“Finn, things are complicated, but they are what they are,” I said. Because we don’t have a choice.
“I’m going to ask you one question and I’d like an honest answer,” he said.
“I’ll give it, but I can’t guarantee you’ll like it,” I replied.