Chapter 24
A few hours later, I found myself standing next to the window, looking at the shores of St. Thomas. Garrett hadn’t bothered to try to make things right, and I’d ignored Avery knocking on my door. Her sweet voice had filtered into the room, assuring me she was only checking to make sure I didn’t need anything.
I called bullshit.
For whatever reason, she knew the secret lingering between Garrett and me. She knew, and it pissed me off. Unless she was going to fill me in, I didn’t have anything to say to her, and I sure didn’t want to hear anything other than what mattered most—the truth.
Seagulls flew by, drawing my focus back to the land as we sailed into the harbor.
I was on my way home.
Pressing my forehead against the sun-warmed glass, I let out a sarcastic laugh at fate’s sick sense of humor.
“You really screwed up everything you’ve worked so hard for. Stupid girl.”
My job, my livelihood…and my heart.
A lone tear escaped through my bottom lashes.
“Get it together, Brooke. It’s time to go home.” I knew we were about to dock, and the faster I got to Dallas, the better.
Except…uncertainty nauseated me.
Home meant reality, and reality was that it wasn’t possible to continue my employment with Garrett. I was going home with my world turned upside down.
After splashing my face and covering up the red splotches on my skin with a little makeup, I lifted my head high and made my way to the deck, dragging my suitcase behind me.
Entering the room, I saw everyone was present except for Garrett, which didn’t surprise me. Avery glanced at Stone nervously, and Mr. Mitchell stood.
“Ms. Sheridan, a first-class non-stop ticket has been arranged for your flight to Dallas tonight. Garrett has to stay behind for the investigation and legal issues with the aircraft. It may be a few days before he returns to the States.”
“They won’t have questions for me?”
“They will, but Garrett’s arranged for your interview to wait. They’ll be in touch at a later date because of your family emergency.”
I let out a deep breath, trying to keep my shit together. I didn’t want to fly back alone, but I didn’t have a choice. My mother was waiting on me.
There were so many unsaid things I wanted Garrett to know, messages I wanted them to relay to him, but I swallowed the words. They were a waste of time—he’d made it clear he didn’t have anything to say to me.
Tears misted my eyes. “Please let me know the cost of the ticket and who I need to reimburse.”
“Garrett took care of it.”
My strength to hold back the dam was only so strong. “Thank you again for everything.”
I whirled out of the room and onto the deck before they could see the unwanted trickles about to trail down my cheeks.
Damn him.
Damn him.
Damn him.
Tourists walked along the pier and strolled down the beach. Nearby, a few brightly colored sailboats floated gracefully on the water, and someone was parasailing above.
“Garrett hasn’t handled any of this the way he should have.” Avery spoke softly behind me.
“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t know since I don’t have a damn clue what it is he’s keeping from me.”
“He should have told you. I encouraged him to do so.”
I spun around. “Did he just confide in you, or do you have a part in whatever this is?”
“I don’t have a part in it, Brooke. I know you don’t know me, but I have no reason to lie or hurt you. None of this makes sense to you right now, which is understandable, but it will soon.”
I rolled my eyes in frustration. “I need it to make sense now, need to know why he pushed me away and believes I’ll hate him. Why can’t he just talk to me? If he’s not going to be the one to make me understand, who is?”
“He thinks he’s doing the right thing, thinks it’s what’s best for you.”
“I don’t need him to make decisions for me. I deserve to know the truth, and it should have come from him.”
“He’s taking this badly, Brooke. I’ve never seen him like this.”
“That’s doubtful. He was emotionless when he told me he needed to put space between us.”
“It’s an act. Inside, it’s killing him. He put on an icy front to make you walk away before he cracked and told you everything. He won’t. He doesn’t feel it’s his place to do that.”
The yacht pulled into the slip and men scurried about, securing it quickly. Several minutes passed in a blur as I stepped onto the wooden planks followed by Mr. Mitchell. He waved toward a man wearing a cream suit who was walking toward us.
“Xavier, please escort Ms. Sheridan to the airport. We’ll meet you at the hotel afterward.”
The gentleman didn’t answer verbally, only nodded and reached for my bag.
“Thank you again, Mr. Mitchell,” I said with a heavy heart.
He nodded his head with an unreadable expression; like father, like son. “You’re quite welcome. Our family wishes you well. Safe travels.”
The walk to the end of the pier sucked the life out of me. I was leaving behind something that had felt so right. Glancing over my shoulder, I drew in a gasp. On the third level of the yacht, Garrett leaned over the rail, wearing his aviators. He was too far away for me to tell if he looked like I did—as if the life had been sucked out of him.
My steps faltered as I stopped and completely turned around to take him in. I wanted to run back to him, wanted to make him want me enough to come clean, to tell me his dirty secret and see if it was bad enough to break me.
I lifted my hand and waved, one last gesture.
He didn’t move, but I could tell he was staring at me; I felt it. Finally, after a few seconds, he lifted his hand and did a quick wave before disappearing through the door of the ship.
Was that our final goodbye?
Is that the way things are going to end?
My heart ached for what could have been. We hadn’t had enough time.
There was so much goodness about him that only a few people had witnessed. I’d felt his kind, soft side firsthand. He’d been warm and gentle and loving, and I longed for more of it.
There wasn’t any use in staring at the empty space he’d just occupied.
Our time together was over.
The ride to the airport was short, and people scurried about as I arrived. A couple sat in the row of chairs facing me, taking selfies and laughing. I wondered if they had been on their honeymoon and were headed back to their reality, a happily ever after.
My stomach rolled.
I’d been a fool twice now…only this time, I wouldn’t have traded it for the world. This time I didn’t feel regret or shame. I felt empty.
I glanced at the clock on the wall, willing the time to pass more quickly. It was still a little more than two hours before my flight. Resting my head against the wall, I closed my eyes, unable to shut out the laughter coming from the happy pair sitting across from me.
Tears pricked at my eyelids.
First thing in the morning, I needed to update my resume and put feelers out. I was good at marketing, and I knew George had connections. The company wouldn’t be as prestigious, but it would be safe.
Safe…I’d be safe from having my heart fall out of my chest and onto the ground.
I’d secure employment, move on with my life, and forget I’d ever met him.
Even as I thought it, I knew it was a lie; nothing could ever make me forget how he’d made me feel.
Planes taxied in. Planes taxied out.
How was I supposed to board a plane, leave him behind, and give up on us? I should have fought harder. I shouldn’t have given up.
My emotions were all over the map, on a crazy train. Him giving up on us baffled me. Eyes closed, I saw his beautiful eyes. Vividly, I saw his devilish smile, the way he looked at me first thing in the morning, the way he devoured me before making love to me. I even heard the way he breathed when he lay next to me, peaceful and easy.
My hand trembled to reach over and stroke the face that wasn’t there, to feel the way his delicious skin made my hand burn, like I’d done so many times on the island. A shiver ran through me as I hallucinated the closest thing to heaven I’d ever felt. His warmth surrounded me, as if cradling me, sheltering me from the pain.
It seemed my senses were playing a cruel, cruel joke, and I inhaled his scent as my eyes flew open.
Garrett.
Oh my God.
He sat next to me, right there, right then.
Blinking in surprise, I realized my mind hadn’t been playing tricks and I wasn’t unstable or having delusional visions.
“What are you doing here?” I whispered.
Silence.
It unsettled and unnerved me as I fixed my gaze on his and spoke softly. “Garrett?”
“I couldn’t let you go fly alone. I knew you must have been terrified.”
“I can handle it. You made it clear there was nothing more to say.” I let my gaze slide over his face and held my head high.
“I deserve your cold shoulder, and much more.” He let out a chuckle and slowly shook his head. “You were right, it was me who fucked us up…from the very beginning. It was supposed to be a business trip, nothing more. Then we kissed that first time after drinks at the bar, and I knew I would have you. It was undeniable—it’s still undeniable. I tried to make you walk away. I fucking tried, Brooke, but I couldn’t do it.”
“Mr. Jekyll-slash-Hyde, you’re giving me whiplash from trying to keep up with what you want.”
“I want you. I want to be with you, date you, get to know everything about you, because there’s no way in hell I can let you get on that plane without me. Since you left, I’ve spent every second in my own personal hell. I can’t imagine never seeing you again. I know I’ve scared you, and I know you’re having trouble trusting me. I get it, but I will do everything in my power to make all the wrongs right.”
“Well here’s your chance. Come clean and tell me what the hell has been going on.”
He let out a deep breath and hesitated for a long few seconds. “I’ll tell you as much as I can. The rest isn’t my story to tell.”
An announcement came through the overhead speakers. “Flight 2397 to Dallas is now boarding at Gate D. First-class passengers please make your way to the corridor, all others stand by for instructions.”
“Whose story is it?”
“Your mother’s.”