Page 29 of My Best Years
“I’m not bullshitting you,” I counter, trying not to raise my voice but failing. “You have no idea what kind of hell I went through. Whatever thoughts you’ve made up in your mind, I promise you, arefarfrom the truth.”
Faster than I can blink, her hand flies out and connects with my cheek, whipping my head to the side from the force of her strike.
Even though I probably deserved that, it still fucking hurts. It hurts deep in my bones.
Not physically, but mentally and emotionally…it’s devastating.
I slowly turn my head back to her and meet her horrified stare. Without saying it, I can tell that she feels terriblefor hitting me. Her bottom lip shakes as a tear rolls down her flushed cheek.
It kills me. It makes me want to cry along with her.
To go from having someone so completely and then pushing them away to the point of no return is the lowest feeling in the world. It’s like meeting two people living in the same body in one lifetime.
I can’t believe that this is how we ended up. I can’t believe that I did this to her…to us. I let go of the one person I thought I would spend my entire life with. I thought I would grow old with Birdie. Watch a thousand sunsets with her beside me.
But now, we’re no more than strangers.
“How dare you,” she breathes, her words shaky and filled with grief. “When someone you love leaves without saying a word for eleven years, you earn the right to make shit up in your head. As far I’m concerned, the narrative that lives in my mind for you is set in stone. You’re a coward, Callum. A fucking coward. And I want nothing to do with you.”
I flinch at the truth in her words.
Before I can respond, an older man in a security uniform walks into view. He steps between us and holds his arms out, carefully putting distance between me and Birdie. Once I get a good look at his face, I immediately recognize that he’s one of the hospital’s security guards. I’ve seen him standing by the door through the glass.
“Birdie,” he pants, completely out of breath from running out here. “Are you okay? Is this man bothering you?”
This man.
I want to tell him to fuck off because I’m not just a man to Birdie. I’m way more than that. She wouldn't be having this kind of reaction if I wasn’t.
“I’m fine,” she replies, still staring daggers at me. “But yes, this manisbothering me. He’s been stalking me. Showing uphere after my shifts and acting like he knows me. I’ve asked him to stop, but he refuses.”
I narrow my gaze, zeroing in on her before shaking my head. She really wants to go there? Act like I’m a complete fucking stranger?
“Oh really?” I cut in. “I don’t know you, Birdie Wren Ambrose? Because I know that you broke your arm in the fourth grade while trying to ride my skateboard. I know your favorite board game is Battleship, and your favorite show isThe Office. I know your first dog was named Bingo until you decided you hated that name and changed it to Bear. I know that you like anything that smells like coconut. I know that your eyes change colors with your mood. And even though it’s been eleven years, I still know exactly how your lips taste.”
A beat of silence passes as we both forget that the security guard is between us.
Then, I think I hear a whimper slip past Birdie’s lips as she lets another tear fall.
“You want to know how I know all of that?” I continue, flicking my gaze to the security guard. “Because I was there. I was with her, by her side, through all of it. So no, I’m not a fucking stranger to Birdie Wren.”
“Sir–” the guard jumps in before Birdie abruptly cuts him off.
“He’s lying,” she interjects. “I don’t know this man. He’s a stalker who’s been following me all around town. I don’t know who he is, and I never want to see him again.”
Her eyes dart back to me.
“I never want you coming here—tomyplace of work—again.”
I understand that she’s angry…but this, denying my existence to my face, is fucking ridiculous.
“Unbelievable,” I sneer, running a hand through my hair.
“I see there’s a long story here,” the officer interjects, trying to keep the peace. He steps in front of Birdie, completely blocking my view of her.
“But she is an employee here,” he continues. “No matter what you say, I will take her word over yours. I need you to leave the premises and not come back unless it is a medical emergency.”
I try to step around him, but he grabs my shoulder and holds me back. I elongate my neck, just far enough to catch a glimpse of Birdie standing behind him. My limbs are shaking with the need to throw his motherfucker off of me.