LINDY
My bare feet slap against the dirty hotel carpet as I stomp out of the elevator on my floor. And yes, I know how gross that sounds. And that I’m probably not the first person to do this disgusting walk of shame. Ick.
That thought hits about the same time I manage to walk face-first into Maddox’s chest. His hands grip my shoulders as he laughs. “Hold up, trouble. Where’s the fire?”
“You’re a tool, Maddox.” He grins, and I pinch his nipple. We’re very mature for our age. Technically, I may be his aunt, but he’s always been more like an annoying brother than anything else. He’s two years younger than me but likes to act like he’s ten years older.
The door to our suite opens behind him, and I cringe.
Great. More witnesses to my humiliation.
Brynlee pops her head out of our door and scrunches her nose like she just smelled a skunk. Or more accurately, just got a look at my morning-after face, which is probably even worse than I’m imagining. Because seriously, that would be about right. “Come on, Lindy. If you move fast, you’ve got time to shower before we have to leave for the airport.” Her nose scrunches again. “And use some extra body wash. The booze is wafting from your pores.”
Great.
I look like a hot mess, and apparently, I smell like a bar.
Freaking fabulous.
My phone vibrates in my hand, and I silence it without even glancing down.
This day is off to a stellar start.
Maddox ignores Bryn and shoulders his leather weekender bag with his stupid, cocky smirk. “See you at the airport, trouble.”
“Giant tool,” I mumble under my breath and push into the suite, where my best friends all stand, waiting for me with varying shades of what the fuck flashing across their faces.
Huh. Is this what an intervention feels like?
I cannot deal with this. Not now. Not with the excitement vibrating through Everly or the concern coming off Bryn and Grace. And worse, not when the disappointment’s clear as day on Kenzie’s face.
Nope. Can’t. Deal.
I put my hand up before anyone opens their mouth. “I’m going to take a shower. A long one. A hot one. Really hot. Scalding hot. Any chance someone ordered Starbucks for the road?”
“Lindy, stop.” Gracie moves around the girls. “You can’t run away from us.”
The room spins as the pressure builds behind my eyes. “I just need a minute.” I grab her hand, desperate for her to hear more than just the words. “Just a minute to breathe. I’m not running away.”
Everly tilts her head with a wicked grin in her eyes, and I glare. “Zip it, Evie.” She probably knows me better than anyone, so she knows I shut down. And okay, maybe I tend to ignore or run away from my problems. But I really just need five fucking minutes to shut down. Alone.
I turn back and feel like I’ve been sucker-punched by the hurt on Kenzie’s face.
How many people am I going to hurt today? “Listen, I love you. And I know we need to talk, but right now, I need a shower. I need some fucking coffee, and I need to stop feeling my pulse behind my eyeballs.” My voice raises with each new word until I’m full-blown yelling. “We’ve got an entire country’s worth of a flight home, where you can spend hours telling me how stupid I am. Trust me. I’m already disgusted with myself. But I beg you, please. For the love of all that’s holy. Please give me a few fucking minutes before you start the lecture.” I take a few steps before turning back. “And not a word of this to a single soul in the family or I will disown you all.”
Everly clears her throat, but I thrust a finger in the air, cutting her off. “Not. One. Word.”
I don’t bother waiting for an answer or looking back again as I move into the bathroom and lock the door for good measure. My friends don’t really do boundaries.
I try to forget the expressions on their faces as I slide down the shower wall and wrap my arms around my knees, but it’s not that easy because when I don’t see their faces, Easton’s is everywhere. Hot tears mix with the spray of scalding hot water while I sob silently.
Since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to marry Easton Hayes.
Wanted the white dress and the long aisle.
Wanted to wake up next to him and know he was mine. Really mine.
I’m pretty sure I doodled Mrs. Madeline Hayes a time or ten in a notebook after I met him the very first time. He was so handsome and so broody. It’s hard to forget just how broody he was back then. I knew no boys would ever compare to him. And that was before.