Page 70 of Drive Me Crazy

I stand there for whatfeels like hours, waiting for him to walk back through the same doors he left out of and leaving me in the wreckage of us. Even after all of this time, I still know I'm going to love him forever.

"Years of torment, and this is what you leave me with?" For the second time within a matter of hours, I fall apart in the living room of a home that was meant for our forever.

"Don't think I can't see the irony in this whole thing." I fist a pillow, slinging it across the room. "There'll be no living in this room without you!"

I spring from the couch, sprinting to his room. I clamber into his closet, rifling through his things until I find something I can claim. "I need you close to me, as near as my heart is to you."

Dragging another sweatshirt over my head, I strip my leggings and climb into bed. Ridge has always put me first, even if it hurt him. I don’t know what to think; he believes this is for the best, but honestly, life has given me enough shit lately and I don't want to think anymore.

I pull the covers up high and lay here watching the days come and go. At least, I think that's what's going on outside of this little world I've confined myself to.

The days drag by, and the nights are longer than they should be, but at least I'm here, close to him. I don't want to go back to my parents. I can't even think about what I should do next. My brain's fried, and my nerves are shot.

"I can't be anywhere but here." I need to be here, drinking him in the only way I can, until I know what to do. As the day darkens, my phone chimes.

"There is no me without you, I have no world unless you're in it." I struggle to sleep, to think, to move the entire day. Whenever I think of him, I can't fathom me living another minute not being by his side.

"I've waited so long to hear you say that you love me. So many wasted years in the arms of a monster because I couldn't imagine you loved me." I pull myself up, staggering down to the kitchen.

As I fumble around looking for a glass, there's a knock on the door. I race to the door, my stomach in knots. As I turn the knob, it swings wide, and I stumble back.

"Mackenzie?"

Her smile falls as she turns to her partner in crime. "Well, Maisyn. You called this one."

"Excuse me?" I cringe when it hits me, she's here because of Ridge. "Oh, he told you."

Maisyn grins. "Let us in and we'll tell ya what we know."

"Please, come in." I step away from the door. "Not my house anyway, I just won't leave."

Mack crosses the room, settling into the couch. "Good."

"Yeah, Ridge wasn't exactly forthcoming. That's why we came over." Maisyn plops down beside her as the doorbell rings again.

"I thought this place had security." I glare at the door. "I wasn't expecting company."

Scout's head pops through the door. "Hey, y'all. I'm here."

"Here for what?" I cut my eyes at the ladies sitting across the room. "What am I missing?"

Scout laces her arm through mine, yanking me toward the chairs. "C'mon, let's get this over with and figure out what's next."

"Wait." I stop as she sits down beside me. "Ridge left me. I shouldn't even be here right now, but I haven't packed and really don't care to at this moment."

"Damn straight you're not gonna leave!" Maisyn winks at me.

Mackenzie raises her brows as her eyes flicker down. "You might want to put some pants on, we'll probably be here a while."

"Shit! I forgot, sorry." I run upstairs, jerking on a pair of Ridge's shorts. I hurry back down, trying not to freak out with everyone here.

Scout pats the cushion beside her, holding up a drink for me. "I don't get to girl talk much, I'm a little excited."

"I'm good." I wave her off as I slide into the seat. "I think I might need a clear head for this."

"It's all good," Maisyn snickers. "or at least it will when Mack pays me."

She flips her off. "How often are you right?"