“Chase. Look at me.” Her tone softens. Where it was previously annoyed, now, it’s soft and compassionate. Of all my sisters, she’s the one most used to the heartbreak that comes with love. Now of course she has Drew, but before him, there were many men who made her cry.

Of all my sisters, she’ll understand me right now.

I bite my bottom lip and shake my head as my eyes blur with tears. “I can’t,” I all but whisper. “I just can’t.”

“Okay. I’m going to leave you alone and tell the rest of the staff you’re on some calls negotiating and not to bother you.” I nod but keep my eyes on my screen. “And I’m going to tell you that I know it’s not something you want to hear right now, but know this—heartbreak sucks. It hurts and it feels like you’re broken. But when the smoke clears, you’ll be able to take something from it that will make you a better and stronger person somehow. And even simpler than that is the notion that every heartbreak brings you one step closer to the one who was meant for you.”

“I can’t do this right now,” I repeat, my voice hoarse, my heart aching.

“I know.” The chair squeaks as she gets up from it. “I love you, and you know I’m here for you if you need me.”

“Thanks.”

When the door clicks behind her, I let out a shuddered breath as the first tear slips over.

But I only allow myself one.

I can’t do this.

I won’t do this.

I repeat the same thing I’ve said to myself ever since I left Destiny Falls and Gunner behind.

My heartbreak was inevitable.

Regardless if he knew the real me or not, I was still leaving. There was still no future when it came to us.

And still, a piece of me was holding on to the possibility. A possibility that I could have told Gunner every detail before he found out the way he did. That if I had been able to do that, I’d have had the chance to tell him how falling in love with him completely crushed me—because of my lies between us. I’d give anything to have not hurt Gunner. To have not sent him running from me.

A bigger piece of me was hoping that love could conquer all. Because sadly, my sister was wrong.

When the smoke clears, there’s nothing I’ll be able to take from this pain. Gunner is the one who made me a better and stronger person. And now he’s gone.

CHAPTER FORTY

Gunner

“JUST CALL HER.”

I look over at Ellie and sigh. She’s leaning back in the office chair with her feet up on the desk and her eyes on me.