Page 116 of Romancing His Heart

Of course Ashton did. I know the guys joke that I’ve been a merry fucking fairy in their lives, but the truth is, it’s always been Ash.

With all the sincerity I have, I say, “We’re in this together. We’ll come out of this together.”

“Welcome to the chaos?”

Raising my fist to Luca’s, I reply, “Hell yes. Welcome to the fucking chaos. Let’s go.” Together we’ll face whatever the future has in store for us.

Chapter 38

Sloane

My phone hasn’t stopped ringing in three days. Eventually, I shut it off and stuck it in the freezer for good measure. After Loki left, I spent the night with Emory and Preston, and I gave up trying to mask my pain the second they walked in. It was all-consuming in a way I didn’t know existed, and I’m pretty sure it would have killed me to try.

Not even Preston’s threats of ripping Loki’s balls off could ease the stabbing ache in my chest.When had I fallen for him? Am I as bad as he is? Do I only want him because he doesn’t want me?A sinister laugh falls from my lips. That’s the icing on the cake now, isn’t it? Finally, wanting a man I can never have is my ultimate punishment.

When I was able to form a coherent thought, I knew I’d never make it to Vermont. The idea of seeing anyone sets off new waterfalls of inconsolable tears. For the first time in my life, I want to be alone. That’s why I’d retreated to my childhood home in the first place.

I’m not sure how many days I’ve been here. My inability to sleep makes them all blend together. Admittedly, I rarely leave the couch, but that’s okay, right? I’m allowed a few days of self-pity.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Lying on the couch, I grab the nearest pillow and nearly suffocate myself trying to block out the noise.

“Sloane! Open this damn door right now,” my sister Eli’s angry voice yells through the door.

Rolling over, I make myself as small as possible. There’s no way Eli can see me from the window anyway, so if I stay quiet, maybe she’ll just go away.

“For fuck’s sake, Sloane, we know you’re in there. Open up.”

Who the hell is that? Julia?

“Sloane, sweetie? We’re all worried about you,” Lanie’s soft voice barely registers through the thick wood.

Ugh, please go away.

“I will happily break down this door if you don’t open it right now.” Preston’s happy, playboy charm is slipping into something almost fatherly, and it makes me smile. He’ll make a great dad someday.

When it sounds like a battering ram is hitting the door, I sigh and sit up. Knowing he might actually break the door down, I stand, stomping my foot like a spoiled teenager. Catching sight of my reflection in the window, I make a half-assed attempt at taming my hair before deciding I just don’t give a shit.

After undoing the deadbolt, then the other three locks Preston had installed, I finally open the door to a rather large, concerned group. Emory rushes past everyone and engulfs me in a motherly hug. I watch from her embrace as Tilly, Eli, Julia, Lanie, Preston, Dex, and Trevor enter the house.

“Why do rich people travel like this?” I grumble.

“Oh, sweetheart, this isn’t a rich thing. This,” Dex sweeps his arm around the group, “is a family thing. We’re a package deal, and you’re stuck with us now.” He smiles, taking a seat where I had just been.

“Jesus, you look like shit,” Julia remarks, stepping forward for a hug but stopping short when she gets close. Instead of a hug, she grabs my arm. “Where’s the bathroom?”

“Ah, upstairs,” I reply uneasily.

Is she expecting me to escort her?

“Okay.” She takes off her heels, then her jacket. While she’s rolling up her sleeves, I get nervous. I know Julia is a little, ah, odd, but I’ve never experienced this level of crazy from her.Is she preparing to fight me?Dragging me behind her, she announces, “We’ll be back in thirty minutes.”

“We will?”

“Julia?” Lanie warns.

“I’ve got this. No worries. Sloane, show me where your bathroom is.”