Page 78 of Property of Tacoma

Something inside me hardens at his callous dismissal.

If this is how he wants to play it, fine.

I’ve been hurt before.

I’ll survive this, too.

Dropping my towel, I yank on my clothes, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break down.

I grab my duffel bag from the closet and start throwing in what little of my stuff I’ve brought in from the RV.

“Panda!” I call.

He scurries out from under the bed, chittering anxiously as if he senses the tension in the room.

I scoop him up and hold him close, finding comfort in his body close to mine.

Without another word to Tacoma, I sling my bag over my shoulder and head for the door.

As I reach the stairs, I hear small footsteps pounding down the hallway.

“Cali!” Saylor cries, appearing at the top of the stairs in her pajamas. “Where are you going?”

My heart breaks all over again. “I have to leave, sweetie.”

“But you said tomorrow morning,” she protests, her lower lip trembling. “You promised we’d have breakfast together.”

Jagger appears behind his sister, his face a mask of hurt and anger. “You’re leaving? Just like that?”

I swallow hard, trying to hold back fresh tears. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”

“Why?” Saylor demands, tears streaming down her face. “You promised!”

“I—“ I start, but Jagger cuts me off.

“Don’t bother,” he says, his voice cold. “They never keep their promises.”

I flinch, because he’s right. I can’t keep my promise now. Not because I don’t want to. “Jagger, I?—”

“Save it,” he snaps, turning away. “I knew you’d leave eventually. They always do.”

Saylor rushes down the stairs and throws her arms around my waist. “Please don’t go. Please, Cali.”

I drop to my knees, setting Panda down so I can hug her properly. “I’m so sorry, Say. I have to.”

“But you’ll come back, right?” she asks, her voice small and broken. “You pinky promised.”

I open my mouth to reassure her, but Tacoma’s voice cuts through the moment.

“Saylor, go back to bed.” He’s standing in the bedroom doorway, his face expressionless. “Cali has to leave.”

Saylor’s face crumples. “But Daddy?—”

“Now, Saylor.”

She gives me one last desperate hug before pulling away, her small shoulders shaking with sobs as she climbs the stairs.

Jagger follows after her, but not before giving me one last look of betrayal that cuts me to the core.