Page 62 of Inseparable
“This isn’t a social visit,” I spit out.
“Take a seat.” He pulls a chair out for me, blatantly ignoring my little outburst. “And I’ll explain as best I can.”
I huff, dropping into the chair and scowling as I cross my arms over my chest. His lips twitch at the corners, and that only infuriates me even more. “I’m glad you think this’s funny because you’re the only one.” My voice wobbles at the end as tears prick my eyes. God, I’m such a girl. I hate how much I’ve been crying lately. Before these last six months, I can count the amount of times I’ve cried in the last ten years on one hand. But lately, all I seem to do is burst into tears at the drop of a hat, and I hate how weak I’ve become.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I know you’re upset and it’s understandable, but this is the last thing Devin would want. He needs to get his head together, Ange, and he can’t do that here, so he’s gone to stay with family for a while.”
“What family?” My brows knit together. Dev’s mom was an only child and both her parents died when the boys were small, and their dad’s sole living relative is a brother whom he lost contact with years ago. There is no one.
“Our uncle’s resurfaced, and Dev’s gone to stay with him.”
I’m guessing that’s who the fancy pants car belonged to. “For how long?”
“As long as he needs.”
I don’t like the sound of that. “I can’t believe he left without saying goodbye.”
“Ange, that would’ve killed him. You mean more to him than anyone.”
“Here,” Lucas says, reappearing in the kitchen with a large brown box. He plonks it unceremoniously on the table. “He left this for you.”
I stand up, inspecting the contents. It’s all the stuff I threw at him that night months ago when I was in a fit of rage. I pull his well-worn T-shirt from the pile, bringing it to my nose and inhaling deeply. His brothers share a knowing look, but I don’t care how much of a sap they think I am. “If you’re talking to him will you tell him… never mind.” I pick up the box, but Lucas takes it from me.
“I’ll carry it.”
“Thanks.”
After Lucas has deposited it in my bedroom, he leaves, and I quietly start unpacking the items and putting them back in their rightful place. I take off my clothes, and pull on Dev’s shirt. His scent swirls around me, painfully reminding me of all I’m missing. I place the newly-reframed drawing of me on my bedside table, committing Dev’s words to memory. There’s a silver-wrapped package at the bottom of the box that’s new. Ignoring the nervous fluttering in my chest, I open it with shaky fingers. My eyes well up again at the delicate silver locket. The front of it is etched with the same infinity drawing that’s on my wrist. On the back are two simple words:Never forget.Tears leak out of my eyes as I clasp it around my neck. Grabbing the framed picture, I crawl into bed, pulling the comforter up over me as I curl into a fetal position, clutching the drawing to my chest.
Why did I forget when he asked me to remember?
Why did I abandon him when he clearly needed my friendship the most?
Why did I let my feelings rob me of one of my bestfriends?
Why weren’t my eyes open? Why didn’t I see what was in front of me?
So many questions. So few answers.
Devin tried to explain, to apologize, so many times, but I just kept pushing him away.
I allowed hurt and envy to consume me. Allowed Ayden to keep him from me.
And now I’m paying the ultimate price.
Because Devin is gone.
And I don’t know if he’s ever coming back.
And the pain in my heart is worse than anything I’ve ever felt in my whole entire life.
I may just have lost the love of my life.
And the only person to blame is myself.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The night Devin left, I sent him my first text.
