Page 98 of Perfect Enough
I kicked at nothing on the ground. “Truth be told, Soph, I’d like you to just leave me be for a few days.” The hurt in her eyes about dropped me to my knees. When she said nothing, I added, “I’ll call you in a couple of days.”
Sophia looked down at the ground and drew in a deep breath. When she looked back up at me, she nodded. “Okay. I’ll leave you be…but, Josh, pushing away people who love you isn’t going to help you feel any better. Trust me. I speak from experience.”
I blinked. “People who love me?”
“Yes!” she nearly shouted. “I’m falling in love with you, Josh. Hell, I might have fallen a while ago, but…I also care about you, and I won’t let you just shove me to the side. I want to be here for you. Why won’t you let me?”
“I’m not shoving youanywhere, Sophia. Fuck! I’m simply asking for you to leave me the hell alone. I don’t want you here, do you understand that? I don’t want to talk, I don’t want to have lunch. I want you togo, and I don’t know any other way to say it.”
She took a step back. “I promised your mother I wouldn’t abandon you, and I won’t. But you don’t get to talk to me that way. I know you’re hurting, and you want to lash out, but I’m not a punching bag, Josh.”
I opened the door to my truck and got in. “I’ll talk to you later, Sophia.”
I shut the door and started the truck. When I started down the drive, I glanced in my rearview mirror and saw Sophia wipe away a tear.
Hitting the steering wheel, I cursed. “Fucking hell! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” The look of hurt on her face was one I would never forget for as long as I lived.
I’d make it up to her when I got back from riding. The fresh air and time alone would help me clear my head, and I’d apologize to her after lunch.
The second I saw Sophia’s car was gone my heart started to race. She had mentioned going to the grocery store, so I told myself that was where she was.
After parking, I made my way into the house and straight to the guest bedroom. I paused at the door, closed my eyes, and squeezed them shut, hoping that when I opened them, I would find her things still in the room.
Slowly taking another look I walked in and sat down on the bed. My head fell as I let the tears fall freely.
Sophia had left. Just like I had told her to do.
I stood and made my way out of the guest bedroom, shutting the door behind me. Leaning against it, I closed my eyes as I felt the first tear fall.
Chapter Twenty-Three
SOPHIA
When I could no longer see Josh’s truck, I spun on my heel and entered his house. I put the food in the refrigerator and went to the guest bedroom. After packing my things, I sat on the bed. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths before taking out my phone and pulling up Kaylee’s number.
“Sophia, is everything okay?” Kaylee asked.
I fought to keep my voice steady and my emotions in check. “Yes, I’m sorry to call and bother you. I needed to tell you that I’m leaving Josh’s house and heading home.”
“What happened?” she asked.
“I’m not walking away from him, Kaylee; please know that. It’s just…he’s made itabundantlyclear I am not wanted right now, and I can only take so much rejection.”
“I understand, but please know he doesn’t mean what he says. I know he cares for you so much, sweetheart. He’s never introduced us to a single girl he’s dated before.”
Smiling, I wiped the tear from my cheek. “I know he’s hurting. I’m hoping he just needs some space. I’ll check in with him tomorrow.”
“Sophia?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for being here for Josh…and for all of us. I’m sure it was hard being thrown into the family like you were. I see why Josh cares for you so much.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Thank you. Is there anything I can do for you? I know you’re set with food, but any errands you need me to run or maybe go by the house for anything?”
“You’re so sweet, but I think we’re good. I’ll be sure to let you know if we need anything. Be careful driving, sweetheart.”
Her kindness made my heart swell. The Shaws were amazing and kind, even in the face of the tragedy that happened to them all this past week.