“Dillon, please.”
Aoife giggles, running her hand back and forth across his chest, and I want to break every one of her fingers.
“I don’t know why you’re laughing, bitch,” Ash says. “You know he’s only using you to piss Viv off. He doesn’t give a shit about you. He loves Vivien, not you.”
“Shut the fuck up, Ash,” Dillon hisses, pointing his bottle at her.
“Don’t talk to her like that,” Jamie barks, standing and moving to Ash’s side.
I let go of her, letting her boyfriend slide a protective arm around her.
“You are seriously out of line, Dil,” Ro says, pinning his brother with a cutting look. “You need to apologize to Ash and Viv.”
“Still trying to get in her knickers, eh, little bro?” Dillon glances at his phone. “She’s got a few hours. Be my guest.” He waves his hands in my direction. “Knock yourself out.”
He hits the bull’s-eye, smashing my heart into smithereens with his cruel, dismissive words. I need to do what I came here to do and leave. Ignoring Dillon and the tramp, I turn to the others. “I just wanted to say goodbye in person, and I hope everything works out with the band. It’s been great meeting you all. Ireland more than exceeded my expectations, and a lot of that was down to you guys.”
Dillon snorts, and Aoife giggles, but I ignore them. One by one, the guys get up and hug me. Ro’s girlfriend gives me a little wave, but she’s never been a big fan of me anyway. She probably can’t wait to see the back of me. Catriona surprises me, apologizing for not being a better friend and wishing me well back home.
“I know this isn’t the last I’ve seen of you,” I tell Jamie as he hugs me. “Whether you’re in L.A. with the band or visiting me with Ash, I expect I’ll see your annoying face again.”
“You betcha, Hollywood.”
His use of Dillon’s pet name sends a fresh wave of pain hurtling through my chest, but I put a brave face on it. “He’s hurting bad,” he whispers in my ear. “She’s nothing but a tool to piss you off. Don’t buy into it. He loves you big-time, Viv.”
I squeeze his arm, grateful for his words. Maybe there is hope for Jamie Fleming after all. I sure hope so, for my friend’s sake.
Turning around, I face Dillon again. I wanted to say this in private, but I’m not ashamed to say it in public either. When I walk out of this door, I need to know I am leaving with my head held high.
Aoife gloats like the cat that got the cream, eyeing me with smug haughtiness as she dusts kisses all over his face. I ignore her the best I can, staring Dillon straight in the eye. “I should have said this last night, but I froze. Actually, I should’ve said it when I first realized it.” My heart jackhammers behind my rib cage, and butterflies swoop into my chest. “I love you, Dillon. I love you more than words could ever express. For as long as I live, I will never forget you.”
60
My lower lip wobbles, and tears threaten as I stare at his impassive face. I wasn’t expecting a reply, not really, but I was expecting to see some kind of emotion on this face. This blank, emotionless reaction hurts more than anything. Spinning around, I give a little wave to the guys, pretending I don’t notice their pitiful expressions. Ro and Ash look like they’re ready to rip Dillon limb from limb. “Take care, everyone.” Somehow, I force my legs to move, putting one foot in front of the other.
“Thanks for the sex, Hollywood! It was fun while it lasted. Say hi to Reeve for me,” Dillon shouts after me, hammering the final nail in the coffin.
I barely make it out the front door before I throw up, emptying the contents of my stomach all over the cobblestone path. Tears stream down my face as I retch.
“He’s not worth it,” Ash says, crouching down beside me a few minutes later. She rubs her hand up and down my back. “He was a total prick in there to you, and I told him that. I want to kick his arse all over town. I have never been more disappointed in my brother than I am right now.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I straighten up, wiping my mouth with the back of my sleeve. “I said what I came to say, and I’m ready to go home now.”
For the first time, I really feel those words. I want to return to L.A. and put as much distance between me and Dillon as possible. I want my mom. I need her to hold me in her arms and tell me everything will be all right.
“I’m proud of you, Viv. That took huge guts. You’re a true princess and my hero.” Ash hands me a bottle of water, and I rinse my mouth out. “We can say goodbye here,” I tell her. “I know you want to see the band.”