One to Leave (One to Hold 5)

“Mariska left last night. We woke up this morning, and she was gone. No note or anything. I had to call Kenny to find out she’d asked her to pick her up at the airport.”

“She left? I told her not to go.” The last part was under my breath.

Why her leaving tore at my already-shredded insides was anybody’s guess. I didn’t care what she did. I wanted her to go. She played me.

Staring out the window, I focused on a place far in the distance. That was where my peace was—as far away from me as it could possibly get.

I didn’t know if I’d ever get it back, because as much as I wanted to hate her. As much as I wanted to take her by the arms and shake her until her teeth rattled, just that much I wanted to hold her against my chest. I wanted to take a deep breath of jasmine and chase her kisses. I wanted her to chase mine with the force I knew was in her.

God, fucking Mariska. What have you done to me?

* * *

Mariska

Bayville was as uninspiring as ever, and for the first time in my life, I couldn’t be happier. Kenny met me at the airport alone. Little, pale, and thin, she wore a black sleeveless top, and with her asymmetrical purple hair, black skinny jeans, and stilettos, she was every bit the badass I wished I were. I was just a crazy, impulsive girl who’d ruined the best thing in her life before it even began.

I struggled not to cry. “Thanks for meeting me.”

“What happened?” She caught me by the shoulders. “I had to leave Lane alone with Slayde, and that makes him nervous.”

“Slayde’s back?” I sniffed. Despite my misery, I couldn’t believe it. Looking closer, I saw her eyes shining with joy.

“He came back on Thanksgiving. He... he’s a hero.”

“What? What happened? I mean... I’m so happy for you! Tell me—”

Our fingers clasped as we walked to baggage claim. “I’ll tell you everything, but not now. Now you’re going to tell me why you dragged me out of bed at this ridiculous hour. What happened?”

We were at the carousel waiting for my black suitcase to appear, and I had the most distinct case of déjà vu—I was arriving in Great Falls and panicking over the crazy thing I’d done. I knew it would end like this. Yaya had told me to trust my premonitions, but I never did.

Checking my watch, I saw it was seven. “I remember a time when you’d be up before now beating the shit out of that body bag at the gym.”

“That was P.S.” Her ice-blue eyes winked. “Pre-Slayde.”

In spite of my misery, I managed a smile. “I’m sorry. You’re the best friend ever, and I owe you big time.”

“Yes you do.” My bag appeared, and she skipped forward to drag it off the carousel.

“I know I’ve said this before, but you amaze me with your sense of balance. And strength.”

Clicking out the handle, she pulled my rolling case behind her. “Thanks. Now spill.”

I sighed, taking her arm. My brown hair was swept over one shoulder. All I could think about was Stuart’s face buried in it. His beautiful body in my arms. That luscious mouth kissing me roughly, taking me hard. “I don’t know if I’ll survive this one.”

Her slim arm went around my waist, and she pulled me close. “You will. You’ve got me.” Another squeeze. “You held onto me when all the shit went down with Slayde. Don’t think I’ve forgotten it.”

Tears burned in my eyes. “I just need to be home for a little while. I need to be alone.”

We went through the sliding doors to the parking garage. She let me go and nodded back. “Trust me. I know that feeling well.”

* * *

Two days hiding in my bed, and I had to get back to work. I’d only put in for a week off, and I was on a week and a half now. Rook was cool, but his patience only went so far. Also we were in those critical weeks leading up to Christmas. The club was jammed with members either trying to fit into holiday clothes or hold on to their figures through the holiday eating and drinking.

I was curled under my covers when I heard the door open and the sound of a little boy’s voice. “Mommy! Elephant!” It was Lane.

“Don’t touch that, baby.” The thud of tennis shoes coming down my hall made me peek my head out from under the thick duvet. Kenny hopped up on my bed and crawled to where I was balled up like a baby kangaroo. I felt the smaller thump of Lane falling against the bedside.