Don't Need You - Lilian Monroe Page 0,73

I really that pathetic? I’m the Ted Mosby of Woodvale.

Clearing my throat, I gather myself. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I won’t call you again.”

“Kit—”

I hang up, squeezing my eyes shut.

The front door opens and Robbie steps through, shaking the snow off his hat and blowing out a breath. An icy blast of air rushes into the house before he manages to close the door. I barely even feel it.

Robbie lifts his eyes to mine, arching his brows. “Hey.”

“You saw Serena.”

“She was devastated.”

“She broke up with me.”

Robbie pinches his lips together, sighing. “I know.”

“You think she did the right thing?”

“It’s not my place to say,” Robbie replies. “We’re twins, but I don’t have any right to dictate her actions.”

I grunt in response, walking back to the living room and collapsing onto the sofa. Looking out the window at the cold outside, goosebumps start to sprout over my arms. I should have put a sweater on, but I find it hard to care.

“Did she get pregnant with Angelo?” I don’t know why I’m asking. Serena already confirmed it.

Robbie stares at me, chewing his lip. “Yeah.”

“And she lost the baby?”

“I’ve never seen her as low as she was when it happened.” There’s tension in his voice, and all the animosity leaves my body.

I guess that’s it, then. I just need to take Serena at her word. She doesn’t want me here. She doesn’t love me. I was a rebound, just like Angelo said. Two months can’t compete with ten years.

Sighing, I rub my temples. “I was so convinced she felt the same way as me. I wouldn’t have come here if I’d known. I thought…” My voice drifts off.

“I know. Me too.” Robbie drops his hand on my shoulder, squeezing. “Drink?”

“Sure.”

I hear my friend rummaging around the kitchen as my phone buzzes. Pulling it out of my pocket, I swipe it open to see a video message from Finn. He’s got Esme strapped to him, and they both scream as they jump out of a plane, giving me a thumbs-up.

My heart squeezes so hard it feels like it’s collapsing in my chest. Maybe Serena’s right. Maybe Woodvale is where I should be, and my family and friends are who I belong with. She sees how much that place means to me, and she’s just being kind.

That doesn’t make it any easier.

Or, maybe, she really doesn’t want to be with me. She just got out of a ten-year relationship with an abusive asshole, and she’s not ready to jump into anything with me. I’m just the persistent dick who doesn’t get it. I thought we had something special, but all she needed was someone to lean on.

She lost a baby, needing time away from Angelo, but she’ll go back to him. A future was never in the cards for me and Serena.

I feel like an idiot. Nothing quite like unrequited feelings to make you feel dumb.

Robbie hands me a tumbler full of amber liquid, and I arch my eyebrows.

“Thought you needed something stronger than beer.” He grins, sitting down across from me and propping his feet up on the coffee table.

“I look that bad, huh?”

Robbie just grins as he sips his drink. I know it’s his sister who just crushed my heart, but I’m still glad he’s here. We sit in silence for a few moments until Robbie grabs the television remote and flicks it on. There’s nothing else to say.

A few hours later, I leave New Haven with my tail between my legs. Or at least, that’s what it feels like. Flying back to Woodvale, I manage to have a night in my own house before I start another four-day shift flying the planes I’ve grown to hate. When I get home, I glance at the corner of the living room where Serena set up her yoga and meditation spot.

My heart drops. I should pack that up and get rid of all her incense and candles, but I can’t quite bring myself to do it. Instead, I sit down on the yoga mat and close my eyes, almost feeling the whispers of her presence.

The next month passes in a haze of routine. It’s the only thing that keeps me sane. On my days off, when I’m alone in my own house in Woodvale, everything aches. Most of all my heart. I can’t stop thinking about Serena, so I throw myself into work and take on as many extra shifts as possible. I bury myself in busywork just to forget how good it felt