Chapter 85

I took a step back and watched him walk away. I watched, over the next hour, as he interacted with all the people in the room apart from me. He was happy, he smiled, laughed, and joked with everyone there. He left me standing alone with nothing but daggers every time he looked my way.

I couldn’t help but feel rejected by him at that moment and it brought up flashbacks. I felt like I was drowning suddenly, and I needed air. This feeling was all too familiar. I found my way out of the back of the house and into the garden. I took a deep breath and held my head up towards the sky. I could feel tears rising inside me. No matter how much I tried to settle myself, I was struggling to contain the tears and my feelings. I felt a hand on my shoulder that made me jump. I spun on my heels to find Jack standing there.

“Are you alright Leah?”

I shook my head, tears spilling out. He wrapped me in his arms.

“I’m sorry, this was our idea. I had no idea he would react like this with you. I will talk to him.”

I shook my head, stepping back trying to stop the tears. “It’s fine, it doesn’t matter.” I frantically wiped the tears from my face trying to find my inner strength and convince him I was alright.

“Leah, I asked you to do this. It’s not fair he is taking it out on you.”

I wiped the last of my tears. “It’s fine. I’m just going to get a taxi and head back to the hotel and grab my stuff and head home.”

I pulled a small black box from my bag and handed it to Jack.

“Can you give him this and wish him a happy birthday for me?”

“Leah, you don’t have to leave.”

“I can’t do this again. Feeling rejected by him once was painful enough but a second time is indescribable.”

Jack accepted the box and let me go without another word. He arranged for a driver to take me back to the hotel. The drive was quiet, and my mind was swirling with thoughts. Before this trip part of me was ready to give up everything for Logan. Now every morsel of me was regretting coming here. I never expected the reaction I got from Logan, but then again, I never expected it the first time.

Had I made the same mistake again? Was trusting him the wrong decision? So many questions whirlpooled in my mind.

I grabbed my bag and clothes and was back in the car within 15 minutes. I arrived back outside Logan’s building and my car with a numb familiar feeling creeping inside me. De ja vu was sinking in.

I was on the road driving home when my phone buzzed. I glanced at it to see Logan’s name flash up on my screen. I pulled over to check the message.

‘Where are you? I can’t find you anywhere.’

I sighed. My heart was sinking further. I had to reply.

‘I’m on my way home.’

Within seconds, he was phoning me. I couldn’t bring myself to answer the call. Tears filled my eyes, what was I going to say? What could he say to possibly make this any better? I shook my head trying to stop the tears.

Come on Leah, get it together! You are stronger than this. I said to myself.

He called repeatedly. It was only when Jack popped up on my phone I answered it.

“Leah, are you alright?” He asked concern filling his voice.

“I’m fine,” I croaked. “Why?”

“Logan is out the front of the house losing it. He said he can’t get hold of you.”

“I’m driving home, I can’t speak to him right now.”