"Yeah," I said, letting go of Eva so I could climb off the bed and pace the room. "Yes, she is. So what? How does that affect anything? You left."
She sniffed. "So, it's true, then? You found her. You really found the girl that witch told you was your one true love?"
My throat went dry. Why I hated talking about this with Tristy, I don't know why, but I did. I detested it.
With a nod, I gave the rusty answer. "Yes. I did."
Her sniffles turned into full-fledged sobs. "So, it's all going to come true. You're going to go off and live with her in your perfect little happily ever after in your perfect fucking house with the green lawn. And I'm going to die, young and alone."
"Damn it, you're not going to die young and alone. Not when I'm here for you. I've always been here for you. You're the oldest friend I have, and I will take care of you and Julian no matter what. Just tell me where you are, and I'll come take care of you."
She didn't hear anything I said, though. "I always thought you'd grow to love me . . . the way you loved her. I thought . . . I thought we'd stay married, and you'd finally realize how much we belong together. We've already been through everything. We know each other inside and out. How could she fucking come along and take you away from me?"
"Tristy, please don't do this. You need help. Just . . . let me come help you."
"I don't want to be your fucking charity case anymore. I want . . . I want you to look at me and just . . . love me already."
"I do," I said, my voice going hoarse and my entire chest tightening with fear. I didn't want to lie to her, but I absolutely could not say anything to cause her to hang up without telling me where she was. "Do you think I'd put up with so much shit from you all these years if I didn't love you at all? Who was always there after he raped you? Who carried you into the bathroom and washed you up? Who beat up anyone who ever hurt you? Who took you in when you were three months pregnant? Who made every fucking effort to help you get over your addiction? How can you even think I don't love you?" Just because I would never love her the way she wanted me to, didn't mean I didn't care.
I glanced at Eva, wondering what she was thinking as I expressed my feelings to another woman. Tears poured down her face, making me feel like shit. Glancing away because I couldn't handle watching her cry, I held out my hand and was rewarded when she took my fingers, squeezing supportively.
"I love you, Tris," I said, swallowing down the acid in my throat as I spoke the words, all the while pulling Eva close and burying my face in her neck. "Now, please . . . please, please just tell me how to get to you."
"I . . . " She paused to cough. "I'm in an abandoned underpass by the train station."
"Okay, good. Good. I'll be right there. Don't go anywhere. I'll be right there." It took everything I had not to ask about Julian again, but I didn't want to do anything else to upset her and cause her to leave before I arrived.
"Hurry," she slurred. "I'm getting tired."
"I will. I'll be right there." I hung up and immediately whirled to Eva. "I'm sorry."
She blinked, looking startled. "For what? You got her to tell you where she was."
Yes, yes, I had. And it'd taken out a chunk of my soul to do it.
Yanking open my dresser drawer, I pulled out the first shirt I saw. "But I hated that I had to . . . that I had to say all that . . . in front of you."
Eva reached forward, her fingers trembling as she helped me dress. "Pick, we don't have time for this. I understand. Just . . . bring back our boy."
I paused and looked at her. "You know you can't come." It wasn't a question, but a startled revelation. I had assumed she'd fight to go with me. She'd try to call Mrs. Rojas or Reese over to watch Skylar so she could be right there when I saw Julian again. But that couldn't happen. It'd only set Tristy off, and Eva knew it as much as I did.
Finding some jeans for me, she bent in front of me and held them open for me to step into. More love and respect surged inside me. Setting my hand on her head, I put my first foot into the denim and then the second.
"I love you so much, Tink."
She yanked the jeans up my legs. "I know." Her voice was a little breathless as she rushed to zip me. "I love you too." Her smile trembled and tears still welled, but when she looked at me, that was all I needed—her gaze on me.
"I gotta go."
She nodded, but when I started to turn away to fetch my shoes, she grabbed my shirt and yanked me back. "Wait." When I met her gaze, she captured my face in her hands. "You're the best man I've ever met, Patrick Ryan. Thank you for choosing me."
I kissed her hard. "I'll always choose you."
***