Page 92 of Deserving Maisy
Stone nodded…but still didn’t move.
Tiny grabbed his shoulder and turned toward the door, practically shoving him toward it.
The ride back to the hotel from the police station was a blur. Stone heard Brick and Tiny questioning Maisy about her visit with the detectives. Asking if she thought they believed her. A part of him was relieved when she said they were going to look into it immediately and get a search warrant as soon as possible, but as much as he wanted to participate in the conversation, he couldn’t.
Pathetic.
Weak.
Stupid.
The words echoed in his head. He tried to block them out, but it was impossible.
When they got back to the hotel, Tiny asked, “You want to eat at the restaurant for lunch? Or maybe for dinner again tonight?”
“Um…I don’t think so. I just want to go to the room and crash,” Maisy said. “I’m not hungry.”
“All right. If you change your mind, let Stone know. He can order takeout,” Brick told her.
“I will.”
“We’ll meet you downstairs in the morning at six. We have an early flight. We’ll be back home before you know it.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to getting out of here. Iknow I’ll probably have to come back for the trial, if there ever is one, but for now, I can’t imagine stepping foot back here anytime soon.”
Brick and Tiny both hugged Maisy before they all got into the elevator to take them to their floor.
Brick held Stone back as Tiny walked Maisy down the hall to their room.
“What’s up with you?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit. Maisy’s been through hell, you need to snap out of whatever funk you’re in and help her deal.”
“I will,” Stone said, knowing full well he was lying. Maisy deserved better than him. She should have someone who could stand up for her when the shit hit the fan. And he obviously wasn’t that man. Who knew when he’d have another panic attack and freak out? Their marriage wasn’t legal, the best thing to do would be to let her go. Free her to live her life. She had the money now to go anywhere, be anything she wanted to be. He had no doubt Ry would figure out a way for her to keep the inheritance even if it came out that her marriage wasn’t legal.
Brick eyed him, then shook his head. “Don’t fuck this up, Stone. I mean it. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”
Stone knew his friend was right. Knew it down to his bones. But he wasn’t the best thing for Maisy. Not even close.
He nodded, then turned and walked down the hall.
The door closed behind him, then it was just him and Maisy in the room. She stared at him for a long moment before sighing and turning toward the bathroom. “Justbeing around Jason made me feel gross. I’m going to take another shower.”
“Okay,” Stone said, still feeling disconnected to her and everything that had happened at that house.
He paced the room for a few minutes after he heard the water in the bathroom turn on.
He couldn’t stay here. The room was too small. The walls were closing in on him.
He quickly changed into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, then knocked on the bathroom door.
“Yeah?” Maisy called out.
Stone cracked the door open an inch. “I’m going downstairs to work out. Don’t leave the room for any reason. Okay?” He wasn’t so lost in his head that he’d ever forget to warn her to stay safe.
“I won’t. Jack?”
