“Great. I’m so happy for you,” I say, then try to step around her.
But she puts one foot out, stopping me.
“And what Iperceiveabout you is that you’re running from something.”
I was going to shove her out of the way, but I freeze at her words.
“I’m not running. Not anymore.”
“Are you so sure? Maybe you ranhere—to Caleb—and then you’re going to run away just as fast, leaving him broken… Again.”
“Is that what he told you?” I ask, whip-quick.
“He didn’t have to,” Quinn says. “But I can see it on his face today. That’s what happened, isn’t it?”
I shake my head.
“It wasn’t like that. I mean… it was. But not because— It was all a terrible misunderstanding?—”
And Z lying. And me sleeping with him and getting pregnant, and?—
I stop and breathe out.
Why am I trying to explain myself to this bitchy mean girl?
Probably because it’s clear that for all her badass vibes, she cares about Caleb. Everyone in this room does. He’s found a family here, and they don’t want to see him hurt.
And like the woman said—she’s perceptive.
So I glare back at Quinn.
“After today, I’m out of here. I just came to say goodbye to Helen.”
“Is that what you’re telling yourself?”
“Goddamn, you’re a real bitch, aren’t you?”
She smiles. “You’re perceptive too.”
“Hey, guys,” comes Caleb’s familiar voice, and I relax immediately at the sound of it.
He’s walking toward us, an easy smile in place—but his eyes flick between faces, reading the tension instantly.
“Everything good over here?” he asks.
I don’t even hesitate.
I paste on a smile and step toward him as if nothing just happened. I don’t want to stress him out or intrude on his life here any more than I already have.
“Perfect timing,” I say lightly. “I was just telling them—I should probably head back to Austin.”
There. I said it out loud.
The women part as he reaches us. I see a flash of different emotions wash over his face at my words.
Panic. Denial. And then, finally, the weight of a quiet, devastating acceptance settles in behind his eyes. Like he knew. Like he knew the moment he saw me that I’d be walking right back out of his life.
Because all I do is run.