I go to the door, surprised Knight or Ren isn’t already on the other side waiting for me, but the house is eerily silent.
I walk downstairs and find a note on the counter from Ren.
Took the kids to go pick up Henry from the airport. We will all talk when we get back. And you will fix this before it becomes a bigger problem.
—Ren
I leave the note on the counter and search for Knight and Abri. Hopefully, he kicked her out so Knight and I can talk. I search the living room, office, and kitchen but don’t find Knight anywhere. I’ve been in my bedroom for over half an hour. Abri should be gone.
But as I walk toward the front door where I left Knight, I know she isn’t. They are yelling, and Knight has Abri pinned against the wall.
I gasp when I see her through the window beside the door.
I walk closer because I need to know the truth. Even if this is the only way, I’ll get it.
I should run away. That’s what the voice in my head says. Run away. Keep your heart from more pain.
But I can’t move.
I watch their lips move. I watch the anger explode. And then I hear the words that break me.
“You killed our baby,” Abri screams as tears roll down her face. I wait for Knight to deny it. I wait for him to yell, scream, argue. It doesn’t happen. Instead, he pulls her to him, and he hugs her as she grows limp in his arms.
I stumble backward. I hit the glass end table behind me, and we both shatter to the floor.
“Mila Burns! Can you do…”
I don’t listen to Ren yelling. It doesn’t matter what she says.
I can’t be in a relationship with Knight.
I can’t date him.
I can’t work for him.
I can’t be friends with him.
I have horrible judgment in men. I always pick the bad boys. The ones that hurt me.
I thought Knight would tell me his story, and we could find a way to heal together.
But Knight doesn’t get to talk to me.
He doesn’t get to apologize.
I’m pulling back my soul, but I’m afraid I’ve already given away my heart. I’m afraid I gave it to him five years ago.
18
Knight
I didn’t get to talk to Mila. I was never let back into the house. Eventually, Henry came out and yelled at me to leave after throwing my suitcase on the front porch.
I tried calling Mila. Texting. I tried stopping by the house, but she never answered me.
So instead, I rented a car and have been sitting in it down the block from her sister’s house. Waiting. It’s only been a few hours since I was kicked out of the house, but I know Mila won’t last long in that house.
I spot Mila’s beat up Subaru barreling down the road. She doesn’t notice me; she’s too focused on leaving. I don’t blame her. She wasn’t kidding when she said her family didn’t know her or appreciate her.
And I became the asshole she always thought I was right before her eyes. I don’t know what Mila’s siblings told her. Or what Abri might have said. Or what nightmare Mila has come up with in her head. I deserve all of her wrath.
I start my rental car and zoom after her. I watch her the entire time back. I make a note to fix the bump on the back of her car where she backed over my motorcycle. But mostly, I just watch her drive away from me and hope, despite the tears I assume are continuously falling from her eyes as she drives, that she will give me a chance to explain.
I’m surprised yet happy to see her park her car in front of my apartment building. I take my time following her inside. If she knows I’ve been following her the entire time she might run off.
I open the door to my apartment cautiously, as if a lion might attack if I open it too quickly.
“Mila?” I say as I step into the bedroom.
She slowly steps out of the closet.
I suck in a breath when I see her. She’s wearing one of my T-shirts along with a pair of jeans. Her face is puffy but her eyes determined.
“I’m sorry,” I say, knowing those are the first words that need to leave my mouth.