The Blindfold Game That Ended Us Chapter 06

The Blindfold Game That Ended Us Chapter 06

Two hours later, Liam’s car pulled up outside the building.

Olivia was in the passenger seat.

“Sorry to intrude,” she said, her smile apologetic. “I really can’t sleep in hotels

here. I hope it’s not too much trouble for a couple of days…”

Liam’s hand hesitated on the door. “It’s fine.”

He’d figure out how to explain it to me. A few words. She was always reasonable.

He pulled out his phone and started typing: [Olivia’s staying over tonight…]

Then he deleted it.

Better to just say it in person. They’d have to go public at some point anyway.

He opened the door. The entryway was quiet.

Olivia came in with her suitcase, looking around the apartment. “This is nice. Must

be a lot of space for just one person.”

Liam followed her in, his eyes scanning the living room. His feet carried him toward

the bedroom without him really thinking about it.

The door was open.

The bed was made. Her bottles and creams were gone from the nightstand.

“Liam?” Olivia’s voice drifted in. “Do you have any drink? I’m thirsty.”

He stood there for a moment, something in his head lagging.

“Liam?”

He turned and walked back out.

Olivia was in the middle of the living room, watching him with a curious smile. “I

called you a couple times. What were you thinking about?”

“Nothing.” He went to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water, and handed it to her.

“Thanks.” She took it and sat down on the couch, looking around. “It’s really nice

in here. Doesn’t it feel empty living alone?”

Empty?

No.

I had never let this place feel empty.

There used to be handwritten notes on the fridge. A spare key waiting in the

entryway. That ugly little organizer under the coffee table that held all the clutter.

Plants on the balcony that I’d tended for years. Antacids in the nightstand drawer. When

he stayed up late, I’d quietly leave a glass of hot water next to him and then slip away,

not wanting to disturb him.

I was everywhere in this house.

But now, standing in the middle of the living room, he realized that all of it was

gone.

Olivia walked around. “I really like it here. Is it okay if I stay a couple of days?”

Liam hesitated.

Maybe it was better that I wasn’t here. Then he wouldn’t have to explain why Olivia was moving in. Wouldn’t have to see her red-rimmed eyes, hear her say “it’s okay,” feel that familiar guilt.

He walked into the bedroom and opened the closet.

My clothes were gone. All of them.

Something felt wrong.

The place was clean. Too clean. Like I’d never lived here at all.

Three years of her life, and I’d erased it in one night he hadn’t come home.

“Liam?”

Olivia’s voice came from downstairs.

He went down and found her standing by the coffee table, holding something.

“What’s this? A gift for someone?” She held up a small box, looking at him with a

smile. “It’s pretty.”

He recognized it.

The bracelet he’d given me for my birthday, not long after we’d gotten together. I’d loved it so much I’d been afraid to wear it, kept it tucked away.

I hadn’t taken it.

Something in his chest shifted, settled a little heavier.

“Give it to me.” He crossed over and took the box from her, opened it.

The bracelet lay inside, silver chain with a small blue charm, catching the light.

“Your girlfriend’s?” Olivia asked.

He didn’t answer. Just looked at the bracelet.

I’d treasured this. Must have forgotten it.

“Yeah.”

The word came out before he could stop it.

Olivia’s smile faltered.

“So…” She paused, then tried again, her voice taking on a playful edge. “Give it to me. Then I’d be your girlfriend.”