I’m not sure where Axel and I go from here.
I have to blink a few times to type out my response.
Me: I don’t feel well. Is it okay if we leave?
Guilt niggles me as I hit send, but it’s really the only option. I can’t go back to the ballroom. Not like this.
Axel: Are you in the bathroom? I’ll come get you.
Panic shoots up my spine and I hurry to reply.
Me: Don’t come in.
Axel: Baby, if you’re sick I’m coming in.
Shit, shit, shit.
Pushing myself up, I carefully open the door and peek out. I’m not far from the restrooms and I’m not surprised when I see Axel’s big body pacing back and forth in front of the Women’s Room door.
I can’t let him go in there. Obviously. And I can’t let him find me here. If he confronts me, I’ll break down completely.
Me: Can you get the car?
Me: I don’t want to walk that far.
Me: Please?
I press a hand to my stomach, Karma making me feel ill over the lie. How fitting would it be for me to write my own self-fulfilling prophecy and puke on the floor.
I watch Axel pace a few more times.
Please just go.
A small moan pours from me at that thought and I slap a hand over my mouth.
Please don’t go for real.
Axel stops, hunches over his phone, then strides away.
Axel: If you’re not out front when I am, I’m coming in there and carrying you out.
More tears trickle from the corner of my eyes.
He’s so good to me. So good for me.
But what if I’m not good for him?
Chapter70
Axel
My steps eatup the distance to the lobby.
I’m half tempted to turn around and barge into the women’s room. Stuffy relatives be damned. But if Maddie’s in there puking, making her walk all the way to the back of the parking lot would be cruel.
But I told her the truth. If she’s still back there when I pull around, I’m carrying her out.
A blur of green catches my attention, and I dart my hand out, snagging one of my youngest cousins by his sleeve.