Where You Belong: Chapter 27

I stretch out in bed as the sun hits my face. It takes a bit of time for me to remember what happened last night. The magic that I felt in his arms. It was far beyond anything I could have imagined.

I look over to the other side of the bed, finding him gone again. I must have fallen asleep right after. I’ve spent forty-eight hours in a constant state of dread as I’ve watched Gabriel pull further and further away from me.

Maybe he really has just been busy and preoccupied with work. Maybe he’s been sad I’m moving out and doesn’t know how to talk about it. But after last night, there’s no denying what is happening between us.

I can’t leave today without confronting our love. It’s too big, too powerful to walk away from.

I climb out of bed and dress in jeans and a t-shirt. When I open the door, I smell coffee, grinning at how much.

I love our weekends together. It’s just so…peaceful.

As I walk downstairs, I catch a glimpse of Sienna’s closed door, meaning she’s still sleeping.

When I turn the corner into the kitchen, I jump when I see a different figure than I was expecting.

“Mia!” I exclaim. “What are you doing here?”

She’s sipping a cup of coffee as she looks at me, a bit alarmed.

“Um, Gabe texted me last night. He said something came up with work, and he needed to head out early. He wanted me to spend the afternoon with Sienna. He didn’t tell you?”

He’s…gone? My head starts spinning. This can’t be happening. There’s no way he slept with me last night, shared what we did, then just vanished, leaving me without a goodbye.

Is that it for us? I feel so stupid for thinking we were going to talk today and agree we can’t end this. I guess we weren’t feeling the same thing after all.

This entire time, I was just an easy lay for him. Was any of it real?

My stomach is churning, making me feel like I’m going to be sick.

“Alex, are you okay?” Mia asks as she approaches me. “Did Gabe not tell you he wouldn’t be here? I’m sure he just forgot. It’s not like you aren’t gonna see him again just because the nanny gig is up.” She smiles at me, not realizing what her brother has just done.

Tears start to fill my eyes.

“Alex? What’s going on? You’re scaring me. Talk to me,” she insists.

“He left me,” I whisper as tears continue to stream down my face.

“What? No, I’m sure you’re mistaken.”

I look up at her. “He’s gone. No goodbye. Nothing.”

“Did you two ever talk about continuing your relationship? About any of it?” she questions me.

How could I have let it go on this long without bringing it up? It’s like I was just asking to get my heart broken. Mia must realize the answer herself because I hear an audible gasp from her mouth.

“Did he just leave you to move out today without ever discussing your relationship?” she asks with a harshness to her tone.

I nod my head.

“I’m gonna kill him,” she growls out. “Alex. I’m so sorry. I would have never agreed to this if I had known. God, what an idiot. Did he think I wouldn’t find out?”

I’m too shaken and broken to respond.

“I’m… um…” I clear my throat. “I’m going to go pack my stuff.”

“Alex, wait,” Mia tries to call.

As soon as I hit the bottom of the stairs, I see Sienna with her sweet crazy-looking hair.

“Hi, Alex,” her voice rasps. “Why are you crying?”

I wipe the tears off my face the best that I can. “Oh, I’m just a little sad to be leaving you.”

She grins up at me. “You said we’re gonna see each other again. Don’t be sad.”

“I know, sweetie. You’re right. Tell you what, I’m going to go pack my bags upstairs, then I’ll come downstairs for a super big hug.”

She nods her head and agrees as I run up the stairs and fall to the ground after I close the door.

I just need to get my things together and get out of here. I can’t stay another minute. I do my best to pull myself up and pack my things through foggy eyes as the tears keep coming.

It doesn’t take long. I don’t even care if I forget anything. I load up the car as quickly as I can and then take some deep breaths before I go back inside to say goodbye to Sienna.

I’m not gonna let the asshole ruin my summer spent with his sweet daughter. I still love her and need to put on a brave face for her. As soon as I feel somewhat under control, I march back inside.

Sienna is sitting at the island, eating her pancakes. Her face beams when she sees me.

“I guess it’s time for that big hug I was looking for.” I put on my best smile.

Mia is looking at us with a gloomy frown on her face. Sienna puts her fork down and opens her arms wide.

“Bye, Alex. I love you,” she says cheerily. “Aunt Mia says we can have a girl’s day out soon so I can see you again.”

I manage a look of appreciation Mia’s way. I don’t want Sienna to be sad over my departure, but I’m also not sure if I can handle being around Mia again without breaking down. I don’t even know where I’m going from here.

“That sounds amazing,” I say to Sienna. I give her a hug and tell her how much I love her.

Mia opens her arms for me next, and I lean in for a hug.

“I’m so sorry about all of this,” she whispers in my ear. “Please keep in touch.”

“I’ll do my best,” I say.

As I pull away, I give them one more wave, then back out of the room. I somehow manage to hold in my tears until I’m in my car. As soon as the door closes, they let loose.

It’s likely not a smart idea, but I drive to Alicia’s through the sobs. It may not be safe, but I had to get out of there.

When I pull into her parking lot, I head straight for her front door, deciding to worry about my bags later.

“Oh my god. Are you okay?” Alicia says as she opens the door, instantly pulling me into her arms.

“I hate him,” I cry into her shoulder.

She doesn’t need to ask who or get any more information from me right now.

“Me too,” is all she says, and it’s exactly what I need.