Powerful (The Driven World) - Kathleen Kelly Page 0,49
the world I’ve created for myself.
“Kris, is Sophia okay? She left the reception early?” someone shouts.
With my eyes on my prize and my hand to the back of my neck, I answer, “Sophia Thorne and I are no longer a couple. She was gracious enough to come to the wedding with me but decided she couldn’t keep up the pretense any longer.” My gaze goes to those in front of me as they shout questions. “I wish her all the best, and we are, of course, still good friends.”
With that, I turn on my heel and go back inside.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Athena
It’s Sunday, and after our argument last night, my bed is empty. The whole house is empty. And normally, that’s enough, but now that Kris has blown up my life again, I don’t want to be alone. My cell begins to ring. Looking at the screen, it’s Todd.
“Hello, Todd.”
“I’ve been calling you all night.”
“I know, I’m sorry. Did you get my text?”
“Yes, but I was worried.”
“Yeah. Sorry?”
“Did Kris catch you?”
I shake my head.
“Athena?”
“No, I’m guessing he was with Sophia.”
Todd makes a clicking sound. “You know I wasn’t a fan of his at the beginning, yes?”
“Yes, and you were right.”
“Oh, stop it. I was wrong. You overreacted last night. A blind man could see he loves you.”
“Pfft!” I throw back my covers and sit up. “Please. You love me, my family loves me, but Kris? No.”
“Do I have to come over and beat you senseless? You’re acting like a slighted queen, and I don’t mean royalty. Kris told the world last night that he and Sophia were over. Is that something that he’d do if he wanted her? Use your head!”
“What?”
“He told that pack of vultures last night that they were through. Go find him, ask him for yourself.”
I stand and look at myself in the mirror. “Thank you, Todd.”
“Thank me when you sort this mess out.” He ends the call.
Todd is right, I overacted.
I pad into the bathroom and do what I need to do, then get dressed. I’m going to find Kris and apologize. He told me Sophia meant nothing to him, and I let jealousy cloud my judgment.
Opening my front door, the sun shines down on me, instantly making me feel better. Walking down the path, I make the short walk to Kris’ motel. I’m relieved to find no reporters hiding in the bushes. Small Delights is open, and I wave at a less-than-perky Shannon who’s serving the locals coffee. TB employed a short-order cook to look after it while he and Ashlea are away.
Finally, I reach the motel, and I knock on the door to Kris’ room. I can’t hear any signs of life, so I knock louder. I’m wearing jeans, flip flops, and a simple white V-neck tee, my hair is loose and free, and the only thing to give away my nervousness is the small amount of makeup I’m wearing.
“Hey, Athena!”
I turn around and see the motel owner, Mr. Mortimer, walking toward me.
“Hey, Mr. Mortimer.”
“You looking for Kris and Ms. Thorne?”
I smile at the tone of his voice in reference to Sophia. Clearly, he doesn’t like her much either.
“Yes, Mr. Mortimer. Are they here?”
He shakes his head, dislodging his glasses, so he pushes them back up his nose. “They checked out this morning. Yeah, they got in that fancy car and left.”
My stomach drops to my feet. “They left? Are you sure?”
“Yep, that Ms. Thorne said she was glad they were going home to LA, and Kris said he couldn’t wait to drop her off and for life to get back to normal.”
Tears well in my eyes, and I nod at him. “R-Right. Umm, okay, I’m going then. Thank you.”
I stumble as I move away from the motel and find myself heading toward Kris’ father’s house. Once there, I knock on the door. I’m surprised when my mom answers and opens it.
“Mom?”
“Honey, what’s wrong?”
“Is Kris here?”
Mom steps out and embraces me. “No, honey, I was just checking on Leonard. Leonard said he’s gone off to do some film or something. Didn’t Kris tell you?”
Shaking my head, the tears disappear, and the sadness is replaced with rage. “He left me again!”
Mom takes a step back. “Athena, why don’t you call him?”
“Me call him? Why, so I can be humiliated all over again?” Throwing my hands in the air, I walk in a circle. “I’m such an idiot. I fell for it all again. Jesus, after everything we shared. Everything. He left?” I stop walking and look my