“Fuckin’ bitch made me feel something, but it was all lies. Lies, lies, sweet fucking lies.”
Tears sprang from my eyes. A rush of hot unstoppable tears. Levi’s eyes were bloodshot, his pupils blown.
“Get her out of here,” Rafe said without looking at me.
“But…”
“Don’t fucking touch me, little brother.” Levi sneered, trying to thrash out of Rafe’s hold, the two of them stumbling into the wall. “No,” I yelled just as Hudson dived for them. “Liars,” Levi gritted out, spittle flying everywhere. “You’re both fucking liars. Get off me, Raphael, get the hell off me.”
Rafe staggered back, his face drained of blood, and let Hudson take over. I tore from Damon’s grip and ran out of the room.
“Eva, wait,” Rafe called after me. I ground to halt and turned slowly.
“He knows, doesn’t he?”
He nodded, devastation clouding his gray eyes.
“How?”
“I don’t know.”
“I should go.” Moving to the door, I grabbed the handle.
“Eva…”
I glanced back at Rafe and our eyes locked, saying all the things I knew we wouldn’t ever say.
He wanted me.
He loved me.
He’d chosen me.
And in the process, we’d broken Levi.
“You should go be with your brother,” I choked out the words. “He needs you.”
“I’m so fucking sorry.”
“Me too.” The tears flowed freely now. He was saying goodbye. Barely a few hours after he’d told me I was worth it, that our love was worth it, Rafe was choosing Levi.
“Goodbye Rafe.” It came out a strangled whisper as my heart splintered in two.
And the worst thing about the whole messed up situation was I didn’t blame him. How could I when we’d created this mess?
We’d let it happen.
And now we had to pay the price.
I didn’t sleep. Instead, I threw my few belongings in my duffel bag and sat curled into Molly’s side until the sun finally peeked out from behind the high-rise skyline of the strip.
“Are you sure about this?” Letty asked. It was still early, the harsh light of day only reaffirming the decision I’d made after returning to my suite a few hours ago.
“Yeah, I think it’s for the best, don’t you?”
Sadness washed over her as she threw her arms around me. “Take some time, clear your head. Just don’t make any hasty decisions. I’m sure things can—”
“I appreciate your kind words, Letty, but I think we both know I have to do this. I already broke Levi’s heart. I can’t stick around and destroy the group too. If I go now, maybe they can work things out. They’ve done it plenty of times before.”
“This time is different, Eva. They need you. They both need you.”
“I need some space.” I needed to be away from the band. From Rafe and Levi and my intense feelings.
“All set?” Molly came out of our bedroom with her case.
“I think so.”
“Are you absolutely sure about this?” she asked me.
Nodding, I swiped my eyes, drying the tears. “It’s the right thing to do. Alistair agrees I should step back for now.”
“Three days. He said take three days.”
That had been one conversation I didn’t want to relive in a hurry. Not only was I breaking the terms of my contract, and Alistair’s golden rule about no fraternizing with band members, I was putting the entire tour in jeopardy. But if I stuck around, things would only get worse. I knew that and so did he. It’s why, in the end, after a very heated discussion, he agreed to give me some time. I would miss the show in Seattle. But by the time the band hit Salt Lake City, he expected me to be back and ready to go. Whether or not I travelled with the band and continued performing with them was another thing entirely.
Something I couldn’t even think about right now.
“Come on, the sooner we get out of here, the sooner you’ll be able to think more clearly.” Molly hugged Letty. “Thank you for everythin’. I got a little more than I expected with Vegas, but I appreciate you havin’ my girl’s back.”
“Don’t be a stranger,” Letty hugged her back before settling her eyes on me. “Just promise me you won’t hide. It’s bad, yes, but whoever said love wasn’t worth fighting for? You can be with Rafe and still be there for Levi. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.”
I gave her a small nod. It was all I could muster. Besides, I didn’t want to make a promise I wasn’t sure I could keep.
“Okay, get out of here before I get emotional.” Letty pulled open the door and Travis greeted us. “The car is waiting.”
“Thank you, Travis.” I said, letting him take my bag. “For everythin’.”
“The pleasure has been all mine, Eva.” We shared a sad smile. “If you’re ready?”
I nodded, glancing back one last time. It was just a hotel room; one I would probably never see again in my lifetime. But it didn’t matter. I would take a little piece of the Lyndham with me always.
And in return, I was leaving a little part of my soul here.
Two days later…
* * *
“That is a sight for sore eyes,” Mom breezed into the living room, a huge smile painted on her face.
“Hey, Mom. What’s up?”
“Nothin’ is up, baby. I’m just glad to have you home.”
“Mom.” I gave her a pointed look.
“I know, I know,” she blew out an exasperated breath. “And this isn’t me tryin’ to sway you one way or another. I’m just happy you’re safe and here, that’s all.”
To say my parents had been surprised when I’d turned up on their doorstep two days ago was an understatement. But they’d taken one look at my sore, puffy eyes and pulled me into their arms. I knew their judgment would come, their disproval and disbelief, but in that moment, I’d allowed myself to soak up their comfort and love.
“Has Mr. Portman—”
“His name is Alistair, Mom, and I thought we agreed no band talk yet, please.”
“I’m sorry.” She sat down opposite me. “I can’t imagine how difficult this decision must be.”
“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” And that was saying something.
“The brothers, they’re…”
The brothers was her preferred name for the two guys we avoided talking about. I’d had to tell them something, cherry picking snippets of what had really gone on between the three of us.
“Workin’ things out,” I said.
I hadn’t heard from Rafe. Nothing. Not one single text. Part of me wondered if Letty or Alistair had told him to give me space or whether he was too busy with Levi. Or whether he simply couldn’t find the words. But I’d texted back and forth with Damon and Letty a lot. I’d texted Hudson too, but he was giving me the silent treatment after I’d left without saying goodbye. Letty liked to remind me not to check Google, or social media, or the papers. Of course, I couldn’t avoid all the headlines. My favorite so far had been titled: The Rise and Fall of Country’s Newest Sweetheart. It was chock full of speculation about my mysterious disappearance; connecting dots that weren’t there to connect, and a few that were.