time.”
She placed her hand over her mouth as the tears poured from her eyes.
“How could you do this to me?” she sobbed.
“I’m sorry, Kirsten. I really am. But I can’t stay in a relationship that makes me unhappy. It’s not fair to you or to me. You have to realize that.”
Her hands reached out and clutched the front of my shirt.
“We just lost our way, Henry. I can make you happy again. I promise I’ll go to counseling alone and I won’t say a word about your friends. You can do whatever you want. I can make you happy again.” She pleaded.
I placed my hands on each side of her face and softly wiped away her tears.
“I’m sorry, but it’s over.”
I inhaled a sharp breath as I walked out of her apartment. Now I needed to brace myself for the consequences and the wrath of my parents.
Chapter 11
Henry
The moment I walked through the door of my apartment, I poured myself a double scotch and took it out on the terrace. As I was staring out into the brightly lit city, I heard the elevator ding. A sickness formed in the pit of my stomach with the thought it could either be Kirsten or my parents. I wouldn’t put it past her to have called them the second I left her place. Walking to the foyer, the doors opened, and Addison stepped out.
“Hey.” I let out a sign of relief.
“Hey. Can I crash here tonight?” she asked as she pushed past me with her bag.
Of all nights for her to want to crash here.
“Sure. What’s going on?”
“I got into a fight with the parents.” She walked into the kitchen, grabbed the bottle of wine off the counter, opened it and brought it up to her lips.
Quickly, I ran over and grabbed it from her.
“Use a glass.” I smirked and I took one down from the cabinet. “Tell me what happened.”
“Carlyle and Lillian. That’s what happened. I knew it would only be a matter of time. Actually, I think forty-eight hours is a record for them.”
“Why? What did they do now?”
“They invited Carter Colson over for lunch today.”
“Oh boy,” I spoke.
“You were right. The guy is a total douchebag. The way he was kissing their ass and then trying to charm me was disgusting. I totally saw right through him. Plus, I did some digging and found out some things about him.”
“Like what?”
“He has anger issues, and he likes to knock girls around.”
“How did you find that out?” I narrowed my eye at her.
“I gave Paulie a call.”
“Our private investigator?” My brow arched.
“Yep. You know he always had a soft spot for me.” She grinned. “Anyway, turns out that Mr. Colson was arrested last year for assault and battery.”
“Who did he assault?”
“Some girl he was dating. According to her, he didn’t like it when she tried to go out one night with her friends instead of him. They got into a big fight, and he beat her up. Apparently, his family paid the girl off to leave town. So, without her testimony, they dropped the charges and let him go. When I told Carlyle and Lillian that I wasn’t interested and there was no way I was going out with him, they threw a fit and told me that I had no choice but to give him a chance or else.”
“Or else?” I arched my brow at her.
“I didn’t give them the chance to clarify. I stormed upstairs, threw a few things in a bag, and headed here. I will not let them dictate who I can and cannot date. And if they think they’re going to threaten me with the company, I don’t care. I’d rather work somewhere else than have them control my life. No offense, big brother.”
“Well, you won’t have to worry about them harassing you anymore because their focus will be on me now.” I brought the glass of scotch up to my lips.
“Why? What did you do?”
“I broke up with Kirsten tonight.” I finished off my drink.
“What? Oh my God. Why?” Her eyes widened.
I took a seat on the couch and Addison sat down next to me.
“Because I’m not in love with her and I’ve been miserable.” I glanced over at her.
“Good reason.” She patted my shoulder. “Do the parents know yet?”
“I haven’t told them. I’m waiting for my phone to ring because I’m sure Kirsten wasted no time either calling them or running to their house. She was really devastated.”
“I’m sure she was, but I can’t