talking.” I yank my car door open and toss the suitcase into the back, before jumping inside and quickly starting the engine. When I reach for my seatbelt, I notice Madden reaching for the door handle, so I lock it. I’m hurt and thinking irrationally right now. I know I need to calm down, but I’m too far into my emotions to stop my actions at this point.
I shove my foot against the gas as I peel out of my parking spot, glancing into the rearview mirror when I drop it into drive. Leaving Madden standing with his hands in his hair, I drive away, my heart shattering as I watch him through the rearview mirror until he disappears.
He wants time apart. Time apart is what he’ll get. No matter just how much it hurts me. And it does. It hurts so much more than walking away from Logan—a man I’ve been with for two years. It’s not Logan who’s left me broken, it’s his brother—Madden—the heartbreaking rock star.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
NATALIE
I’ve been lying here staring at the ceiling for I don’t know how long when the door opens and Kayla steps inside. I don’t need to look at her to see the pity on her face. She’s had that same look since I returned to work six days ago.
“What are you doing in here, honey?” She gently closes the door behind her, as if too much noise is going to set me off or something. “You’ve been in this room for over an hour. Are you sure you can handle being at work right now? I’m sure we could get someone to cover your shift for a few days.”
“What?” I question, barely listening to her.
Truth is, I haven’t been able to concentrate on anything since leaving the cabin. All I can think about is how Madden has probably gone back to his usual business, partying and having fun without even a thought of me. I doubt I’ve even crossed his mind. When this all started, I wasn’t necessarily happy but was fine. He was miserable. He got what he wanted. He’s finally over his ex, and in the end, I’m the one that ended up hurt.
“You need to take some time off work to clear your head. It’s okay to need a mental break after all that went down.” She walks over to sit on the edge of the bed. “I’ll talk to—”
“I’m fine.” I sit up and force a straight face, even though it feels like my insides are being crushed. “I’m fine, Kayla. I’ll be down in a few. I’ve gotta fix the TV first.”
“Is that what you came in here to do?” she asks cautiously. “Because I can take care of it if you’re not in the right mind frame.”
“I said I’m fine,” I say a little too snippy. I’m not fine. I’m anything but fine, but if I admit that out loud, I’m afraid I won’t be able to ever get over this crushing feeling, and I don’t want to feel another second of this pain. “I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t do my job, Kayla. I’ll handle it.”
“All right. I’ll be around if you need me.” She stands and walks out the door without another word, and I can’t help but feel guilty for being such a bitch to her. I’ve been trying so hard not to take it out on her or anyone else around me, but the more time that passes without a word from Madden, the closer I feel to exploding. I’ve never felt this crushing weight on my chest before and it’s breaking me.
Running my hands over my face, I lay back down and close my eyes. Why the fuck did I agree to that trip to begin with? I must’ve asked myself that a hundred times now, and every single time I come up with the same answer: Madden Parker.
I went knowing I’d have to get close to him. I knew we’d have to kiss, and I also knew there was a slight possibility I’d fall for him in the end, yet I still went, because I didn’t want to see him hurt anymore. I wanted to be the end of his pain, and by the time it was all over, he ended up being the beginning of mine.
Not only has Madden been ignoring my calls since Tuesday, but also, Logan has been texting nonstop apologizing to me about sleeping with Alana, as if it’s me he should be making