“I didn’t make a big deal about it when you lied to me at the hospital opening. But this… We’re finished, Faye. Get the fuck out!”
Her eyes fill with tears. I generally hate it when women cry, but I feel absolutely nothing in this moment.
Sniffling, she grabs her purse and leaves.
I drag in air. “Sorry about that, everyone. I shouldn’t have come.” I ruin everything. It’s like I’m fucking cursed. Actually, I am cursed.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Elizabeth puts an arm around my shoulders. “Come on, Luca
s. Get some food in you, and we’ll figure this out. We’ve survived worse.”
Elliot and Ryder murmur agreement. “This is a shock, but nothing, you know, nuclear,” Ryder says.
He’s wrong. Mia is a fucking hydrogen bomb.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Ava
The interior of the luxurious SUV is oppressive. I feel like I’m confined to a windowless cell barely big enough for me to stretch my legs. The windows are tinted, the chauffeur doesn’t speak and Ray and Darcy are as tense as statues. Even Mia is quiet, observing us, her eyes solemn.
The car is only a few blocks from my apartment when I can’t stand it anymore. “Can you pull over?”
“Certainly, ma’am.” The driver’s voice is professionally pleasant, as though driving unwanted guests back home on Thanksgiving is an everyday occurrence.
I hand my keys to Darcy. “Here. Take these and go to my place. I need to clear my head. I’ll be back soon.”
“Ava…” Ray begins.
“Not now. I need to…” I don’t know what I need at the moment. “I need to think.”
I shut the door before my foster parents can stop me, and watch the car go. After that, it’s mostly aimless walking. The city seems deserted—but then I’m sure people are where they’re supposed to be—eating with loved ones or at stores grabbing bargains.
I, on the other hand…
I can’t stop seeing Lucas’s face as I left. He wasn’t devastated or desperate like in Charlottesville. It was mostly anger that drove him back at Ryder’s home. The silent accusation and questions in Lucas’s eyes scored me like a whip, and it was all I could do just to stay upright.
Why did you lie to me?
Why did you hide it?
What about our promise to be honest with each other?
How could you?
I trusted you.
Is this what love is to you?
I cover my eyes, but it’s no use; my hands can’t stop the tears from flowing. I’ve failed. I just couldn’t…
My phone beeps loudly. I jump at the sound, then my heart starts hammering. Maybe it’s Lucas. He might’ve decided we need to talk… Or at least that I need to explain—
But it’s a Skype call coming from Bennie. I sniff then clear my throat. I don’t want him to know I’ve been crying. “Hello?”
“Oh my God. I’m going to kill Drew!”
“What happened?” I ask in a voice I hope is normal. I don’t think Bennie is angry with Drew—he sounds too exuberant for that—but something’s got him worked up.