Chapter Forty-Six - I hate he isn't here.

(There will be one more chapter and an epilogue. I will try and get it finished off this weekend.)

Skyla

It is officially the night of my party, and I have been having a lot of fun, but I couldn’t help but be sad at the same time because Brandon wasn’t here. It has been hard not to cry. I have kept it together. I only need to get through the next couple of hours, and once I am home, I can cry all I want. I am so glad Kelsey is here with me, or I would probably have been feeling worse or not even shown up at all.

I had been socialising, but I needed a moment to myself. I head to the bar to get a glass of champagne. I needed a drink tonight. I also have a reading later, just a few pages, and I hope this helps build my confidence.

“A glass of champagne, please?” I ask the barman.

It is an open bar. My publishing company is paying for it. He nods and gets me one, handing it to me. I thank him and take a sip. I rest against the bar and glance around at everyone. My guests seem to be having a good time. It makes me happy to watch. I try not to let the thoughts of Brandon make me sad.

I turn away from everyone, taking a moment to pull it together. I finished my champagne and rejoined Kelsey and the others.

“Are you okay, babe?” she asks.

“I am trying to be.”

“I am sorry, Skyla. Please, don’t let him not being here ruin this for you. If he wants to be an asshole, let him, you deserve better.” She says softly and squeezes my hand.

I smile and nod. She is right; I shouldn’t let him ruin my big night. I take a few deep breaths and decide to forget about Brandon. He made his choice, and it wasn’t me. It is time for me to make mine. I chose myself for the first time in my life, probably. Yes, I still want to talk with him face-to-face because I refuse to let things end over a phone call; we deserve better than that. We were good together at one point, and I love him deeply. He loves me deeply. But sometimes, not even love is enough.

As I socialise, I drag Kelsey around with me because she is way better at doing it than I am. I wish I could send her up on stage to do my reading for me. I know if she could, she would because that is the kind of friend she is.

“Skyla, can I have a second of your time? I want to discuss something with you.” Kelsey asks.

“Of course.” I smile.

She takes my hand and pulls me aside. I have no idea what she wants to talk about.

“So, being back home has made me realise something,” she says softly.

“Which is?”

“I have missed it. I think I am coming home. I will need to fly back out to hand my notice to Brandon and sort some things out, but I am ready to come home. I am wondering if I could move in with you until I find a new job and a place to rent or buy?”

She sounds nervous when she asks. She has no reason to be.

“Are you sure that is what you want?” I ask.

I am holding back my excitement until I know for certain. I don’t want her to regret anything.

“Yes. Positive.” She smiles.

I let out a loud squeal and hugged her tightly, “Yes. You can stay with me for as long as you need. I am excited to have my best friend back.”

Kelsey laughs loudly at my reaction and hugs me back, “I can’t wait to be home and have you close all the time. It may take a few months, but I am more than ready to return.”

“Well, I am here to help any way I can.” I smile as we part.

“Thank you. Now, let’s get you another drink and prepare you for going on stage.”

“Yes. I will need. Can you not go up and pretend to be me?” I snicker.

“If I could get away with it, I would.” She laughs and wraps her arm around my shoulder, guiding us towards the bar.

“I know you would. It is one of the million reasons I love you and why you are my best friend.”

“Right back at you, babe.” She winks.

I honestly don’t know how I survived without her for as long as I did.

****
I finally breathed when I stepped off the stage. My reading went well, and everyone seemed to love it. I think I hid my nerves perfectly, no matter how badly my heart was pounding and my palms were sweating. I have a little time before I need to sign some books.

I stroll over to Kelsey, “How did I do?”

“You were amazing up there. No one would have known you were secretly freaking out,” she says proudly and hugs me.

“Thank you.” I smile.

“I can’t wait to have a chance to read the entire book. I get the feeling it is steamier than previous.” She smirks.

“Hmm, yes, it is because I had someone around who inspired me and showed me passion in a way no one ever has,” I reply.

“Are parts of it based on you and Brandon? I don’t just mean the steamy parts, but the love story, too. Your books always have a love story.”

“Yes. A lot of it is, actually.” I sigh.

“I am sorry, Skyla. He should be here with you.”

“He should be, but I obviously don’t mean enough to him as I thought.” I whimper.

Kelsey hugs me tightly, and I cling to her. I promised I wouldn’t cry, but I could feel the tears threatening to fall, “You will be okay, Skyla.”

I nod, take a breath and pull back. I wipe my tears, fix my hair and put on my best smile. Suddenly, a shocked look takes over Kelsey’s face as she glances over my shoulder.

“Kelsey, what is wrong?” I ask, confused.

“You should turn around,” she whispers.

I turn around, and I soon understand the look on her face. I swallow hard, and my heart starts to race when my eyes fall on what she was staring at.

Brandon!