Page 81 of Solar Shadows

“I’ll get that for you.”

She left me alone to watch the news and stew in my defeat.

I must have been pushed by fate to want the TV on. Because Ben appeared on the screen, sat in a hospital bed, all teary-eyed while the reporter jabbered at the screen.

“We’re here with reality star Ben Cash, who was at The Coral when the attack happened.”

Ben dabbed at his eyes with a tissue.

“He’s agreed to speak to us exclusively here on Coldharbour News,” the man said, offering buckets of sympathy to my ex.

Why did Ben have to be here to make me feel even worse?

“I know this is hard for you,” the reporter said, “but can you tell us what happened?”

Sniffle, sniffle, dewy eyes staring directly into the camera with a wobbly lip. “I’ll try.” Deep, dramatic breath. “I was there for a meeting with Isaac and his agent. It was going so well until…until…sorry.” Tears rolled down his cheeks. “I’m so sorry.”

“Take your time,” the interviewer said.

I wouldn’t say Ben wasn’t traumatized, because he did look rattled to the core. But fuck him all the same. And maybe that made me a heartless, bitter dickhead.I didn’t care. I couldn’t stand to hear him, look him, or even get through the coming days knowing he was sharing the same air as me in this hospital.

Man, what sort of person felt this way? He might have hurt me, but he didn’t deserve to suffer through any of the nightmare that’d unfolded at The Coral.

Ben broke down, sobbing uncontrollably, quickly losing himself to hysteria.

Wow. Guilt gave me a mighty punch for my bad thoughts.

I switched the TV off.

“Where are you, Isaac?” I said, my voice cracking.

Please don’t leave my life…

Please.

Please.

Please.

Chapter 25

ISAAC

Iblocked him with my hand, his lips meeting my knuckles.

He pulled back, confusion all over his face.

“I…I can’t,” I said.

He cocked his head, frowning. “You’re rejecting me?”

Did he have to put it like that? “I’m sorry.”

He blinked, eyes still clouded by bemusement.

“Don’t be mad,” I tried. “This isn’t the time for any of this. I have to get home.”

Tony stood up, slowly walking over to the foot of the bed. “Rejecting me. He’s rejecting me.” He started pacing.