“Violet’s late,” I say to my brother, who is hiding out in his room. “She’s never late.”

“She isn’t coming.”

My eyes snap to Blake’s. “What?” I question. “What did you do?”

He smirks. “I told her not to come back until I called her.”

Exasperated, I stand facing him with my hands on my hips. “Why the hell would you do that?”

“Because I’m going to refuse physical therapy until you get your ass on a plane to New York.” He folds his arms and gives me a smug look. “He loves you, and you love him. These past two weeks he’s been gone, you’ve been acting even more stubborn than me. That isn’t you. He did what he thought would make you happy, which was leaving you here. You know good and well that you’d have been miserable in New York.”

“Like hell I would have,” I counter. “As long as I would have been with Kasey then I’d have been happy. He’d have come home to me every night, and even if he were exhausted, at least we’d have been together. But no, he didn’t give me a choice.”

“Is that why you won’t talk to him or answer his messages?”

“If he wants to talk to me, then he knows exactly where I am, although,” I bite my lip, wondering how Blake will take the next bit of news, “I’ve found somewhere in town for us to move to.”

Blake blinks a few times. “I get it,” he pauses trying to find the right words, “but are you sure?”

Tears threaten as I sit on the edge of his bed. I’m not sure about anything other than I don’t want to stay here with Kasey’s family when I don’t even know whether or not we still have a future. Blake told me what Kasey said when he was leaving, but when he isn’t here with me, it feels like a lifetime has passed since we were together. Not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought about him and I miss him terribly.

I just don’t know how we are supposed to move forward when he lives in New York and refuses to have me with him. He’s right that I don’t like the city, and yes I hate New York because there are too many people and I’m uneasy when everyone is pushing and shoving and dodging out of the way of others.

“Yes. I just have to figure out a way of moving us.”

“Do they know?” Blake indicates out of his room with his head.

I shake mine. “Not yet. I wanted to tell you first.”

“I think you need to talk to Kasey first. He doesn’t want you to leave.”

Closing my eyes to hide the pain, I say, “Kasey is the one who left first.”

Swiping at a tear, I grab one of the large bags that we used for our clothing when we flew out here, and start tossing my clothes inside, along with Blake’s. He watches me with a puzzled look on his face but stays quiet.

It’s easier to pack because since Kasey left I moved into the room with Blake. It might seem weird to others that I’m sharing a room with my brother when we’re both adults, but he’s family. He made sure that I had a roof over my head and food on the table and clothes on my body when our parents died. So basically, I don’t care what others think.

Kasey’s family has been more than kind, especially with Blake, but I feel uncomfortable staying here. Lucia has started watching me like a hawk when I’m eating and it makes me feel uncomfortable. I know that I’ve lost weight, but it’s difficult constantly being under scrutiny. So I really don’t have a problem with moving out.

Blake clears his throat, drawing my gaze. “When are you going to tell him?”

I freeze. “Tell him what?” I ask, even though I know what he’s referring to.

Blake lifts a brow as though he can’t believe my answer. “Felicity?” he hisses, frustrated.

“If he comes home, then I might tell him.” Having the last word, I dash from the room and out of the house, with the curious glances of Lucia, Eric, and Sylvia following me. I just need to be alone, so with my hair flowing in the wind, I run alongside the family’s barn and around to the back where I stop to catch my breath.

I look around me, my gaze hazy as the tears that I’ve tried to hold back flow freely down my face. Sobs rack my body as I drop back against the barn. The softness of the breeze and the blue sky do nothing to help me feel better. Nothing will. Part of me knows that Kasey was thinking of me when he left. That he truly believes that I wouldn’t be happy with him in the city. I thought he knew me better than anyone, but him leaving me behind tells me that he doesn’t know me at all.

I want him to come back and talk to me, which is why I’ve refused to talk to him in any way since he left. He says he loves me, but he still left me. I hate him for that.

“Thought I’d find you here,” Eric drawls, snapping me out of my misery. He winces when he meets my gaze. “What’s my asshole of a brother done?”

Inhaling, I fight back more tears. “Nothing.”

“You’re upset because he’s done, um, nothing?”

I stay silent, as he continues, “You know he loves you, right? I mean I’ve never seen him like he is with you before.”

“I miss him,” I admit.

He puts a tentative arm around my shoulders. “He’ll be back before you know it.”

Shaking my head, I ask, “Would you be willing to give Blake and me a lift into town with our luggage please?”

He looks at me with surprise. “You’re moving out?” He frowns. “Kasey won’t be happy.”

I snap. There are no other words for it. “I’m sick to death of everyone telling me, Kasey this, Kasey that. I’ve had enough. Kasey refused to take me to New York with him. Instead he left me at his family home. He repeatedly told me that I’m part of his family, but you know what, I don’t feel part of your family with the way he chose to leave me behind. Blake and I don’t belong here so I’ve rented us somewhere in town.” I move away from Eric. “I’ll call a cab to come and get us.”

Stomping off, I quickly call the cab company to come and get us, warning them that Blake is in a wheelchair and that we have luggage. If I don’t do this now then I’m not sure my nerves will stand another day without breaking down completely.

“Felicity,” Eric shouts, “wait up.”

He catches up to me in the yard.

“I’ll take you.”

“It’s okay, I’ve already called a cab. They’ll be here in ten minutes, so I need to quickly finishing packing.” Leaving him frowning after me, I quickly head to Blake’s room and tell him we’re going.