My stomach dropped. “And he’s not, is he.” My words, stated flatly, hung in the air between us. “I think I’m going to lose him.”
As soon as I’d uttered my fears aloud, tears gathered on my lashes, waiting to fall. Breathing deeply, I willed myself to stay in control, but pain arrowed through my chest and my lip trembled as I battled to hold in my
emotions.
“Liv, don’t say that.” Avery gathered me into a hug, rubbing my back. “Maybe he’s just taking a step back. It might have all got too much for him. But I do think it’s wise that you two talk to each other. Stressing out and overanalysing everything in your head isn’t doing you any good. Talk to him today, okay? Don’t leave it. And if you need me, you know that I’m here for you, at any time of day or night. Call me, come over; whatever you need, you’re always welcome.”
I squeezed her back, overcome with gratitude for my best friend. She drew away and stared at me. “Let me fix your eyes.” Rummaging in her clutch bag, she pulled out a pack of tissues. “Stay still.” She dabbed my lashes gently. “There. Deep breath. Hold your head high, and remember that you’re a strong, beautiful woman who deserves to be treated like a queen.”
“Thanks, Aves. For everything.”
“Anytime, doll. Come on.”
Waving Ethan and Avery off in a cab, I turned to Luke, gathering my courage. He stood, hands in his pockets, his handsome face troubled.
“Luke? Can we talk?” I asked tentatively.
He stood, silent for a moment, a muscle ticking in his jaw. Looking at me, something resolved in his gaze. It turned hard, resolute, and a feeling of foreboding settled over me, heavy and suffocating.
“Okay,” he said eventually. “Not here, though.”
Hands still in his pockets, he led me through the darkening streets. We reached the river, and he leaned against the stone wall separating us from the water, his posture tense. We had relative privacy; although it was still early evening, this particular part of the riverbank was quiet.
“Is something wrong?” I ventured, when it was clear that he wasn’t going to be the first to speak.
“I’ve been thinking. A lot. We’ve been having fun, yeah, but we’re moving too fast. I made a mistake in pushing this. We should have stayed friends, without any of the other stuff.” He scuffed his toe along the ground, not looking at me.
My heart sank at his words.
“What are you saying? Luke, I don’t understand.”
He raised his eyes to meet mine. “This isn’t working out.” His voice was steely, unemotional. I stared at him, trying to make sense of his words. He’d shuttered his expression, his eyes blank.
“You’re breaking up with me?”
“Yeah. I’m ending our arrangement.” The man in front of me was a stranger; the Luke I knew had never been so distant and cold, even when we hated each other.
Arrows of white-hot pain lanced through me.
“I’m not a toy you can play with and discard when you decide you’ve had enough!” I screamed, tears running down my cheeks.
He turned on his heel.
“Are you walking away right now? How can you leave me like this?” My cry echoed through the still night air.
He stopped, spinning round to face me. I was taken aback by the detached, empty look in his eyes. “It’s over, Olivia. You’ll thank me for it in the long run. It’s best for both of us if we finish things now, before we get in too deep.”
“Please. Please don’t leave me,” I begged brokenly, my heart fracturing. “I love you.”
My whispered confession, dragged out unwillingly, unintentionally, hung in the air between us.
He rubbed a hand over his face, his shoulders slumping.
“You shouldn’t. I’m incapable of love.” He stated it sadly. “I’m so fucking sorry. Goodbye, Payne.”
He was gone.
I collapsed to the ground, sobbing in anguish, gasping for breath.