Page 246 of The Baby Bargain

And the solution—

It's obvious, the same way it always is.

I nod in agreement. Then I leave.

Chapter Fifty-Two

Ariel

Idon't give Forest a chance to reply.

I go straight home. Lock myself in my room. Blast The Eurythmics.

Send Chase frantic texts.

Ariel: Where are you?

Ariel: Are you okay?

Ariel: Are you leaving? What did that mean? Can we talk about what Forest said? I don't know if it's true or not. But I should be the one to say it. He doesn't get to say it for me.

But that isn't true.

I do know.

It's there in my heart. I love him. I love him so fucking much. And I want this so fucking bad.

But I can't take another person abandoning me.

I can't open myself up to that heartbreak again.

If he wants to leave—

What good is it, stopping him? It will only delay the inevitable.

Ariel: Call me, please. We need to talk.

The albums repeats twice.

Finally, Chase texts back.

Chase: Give me a few days. Your brother needs to cool off.

Ariel: I need to see you.

Chase: You need to make things right with Forest.

Ariel: I can do both.

Chase: He's your family. You need him.

I need Chase.

But I can't say that. I can't even verbalize it.

It's one thing if he leaves.

If I beg him to stay and he still leaves—