us last night. He had an engagement party to go to. I was there alone.
With one last glance around the room, I head out the door and run down the corridor with a deep sense of dread sitting heavily in my stomach.
This might be it for us. This really could be it. I messed up and what’s the first thing he does?
Takes off with Owen.
I’m furious with him, too. How dare he take off?
He’s such a spoiled brat! Is this how he controls the situation? By cutting me out?
I get into the elevator and I slam the button four times. Who am I kidding? I didn’t come home from a date with my ex…
What do you expect, you idiot?
Cameron - Two hours earlier.
I close up our suitcases and place them on top of the bed.
I’m furious.
Like a lovesick puppy, I sat here and waited for her in the hotel room.
Like a lovesick fucking puppy, I waited up all night, worried, thinking she may be dead in a ditch.
She’s with him. Her ex.
A man she shares a past with.
I close my eyes at the thought. I can’t bear it and I feel sick to my stomach.
I’ve never been in love before. I’ve never even been close to feeling what I feel for Ashley.
And this is how she treats me. This is the amount of respect she has for me.
I have absolutely no control over my emotions and I can’t stand relying on someone else for my happiness. I’ve never felt so helpless in my life.
I’m done. She can go to hell.
I won’t be here when she gets back.
She can find someone else to be her puppy.
I wake Owen. “Come on, mate. We have to go home to LA.”
He frowns as he wakes up. “I thought we were going to the zoo?” he mumbles.
“Change of plans. I will take you to the zoo another time,” I reply flatly as I pack the last of the things into my overnight case.
I pick up my phone and check it once more. No calls, no messages.
What if she’s been hurt in an accident? The sick, nervous feeling in my stomach churns again. I go over to the window and stare out over the city as the sun comes up.
Where are you?
With him, my subconscious replies.
I look back over at Owen as he tries to wake up. It’s only 6.30am.
She’s fallen asleep after they had sex—it’s the only logical explanation.
I close my eyes in pain. I hate this.
I hate feeling like this. “Owen. Up,” I snap.
He goes to the bathroom as I line the bags up near the door and he gets dressed. I fish out Ashley’s plane ticket from my bag and put it onto the desk. With a heavy heart, I write her a note.
We’ve flown home early.
You may as well stay here.
I just wish I knew she was safe before I left. What if something has happened to her?
God, I hate this shit. I put my head into my hands in disgust.
“I’m hungry.” Owen yawns.
“We can have breakfast at the airport.”
“Where’s Mom?” He frowns.
“Um.” I try think of an answer. “She’s with Andrew. She’ll be home later.”
Owen frowns as he processes the information.
I blow out a breath and continue packing until everything is done. I just wish I had confirmation that she was okay before I left.
What if something has happened to her? My heart asks.
It hasn’t, you fool, my head replies.
“Let’s go, Owen.”
I grab the suitcases and he follows me out and down the corridor. When we get down to the lobby, I hold my phone in my hand and the doorman hails a cab.
We climb in. “Where to?” the driver asks.
“The airport,” I reply flatly.
He pulls out into traffic and begins the journey when my phone rings. Ashley.
I frown as I stop myself answering it. I’m not losing my shit at her while Owen is with me.
It goes to voicemail and when it’s complete, I listen to it.
“Fucking voicemail,” she shrieks in a panic. “Oh my God, Cameron. I’m so sorry. I took some headache tablets and they must have knocked me out. I just woke up on Andrew’s mothers couch. I’m so sorry. I’m coming now.” She hangs up.
My blood pressure rises. The fury I feel is beyond belief and boils my blood.
Does she think I’m stupid?
“Was that Mom?” Owen asks.
I nod, lost in my thoughts.
“She’s going to be very angry that we left without her.”