They Left Me Behind on the Road Trip, So I Got on a Better Ride Chapter 05

They Left Me Behind on the Road Trip, So I Got on a Better Ride Chapter 05

I turned my phone on once the plane touched down.

Messages flooded in right away.

Dozens of missed calls from Ethan. Mason and Liam had both tried reaching me multiple times too.

The last post in our group chat was from Chloe: [Ava, where on earth are you? We’re all worried sick.]

I stared at “we’re all worried sick” for two seconds.

I’d barely lowered my phone when Ethan’s call popped up again.

I answered.

“Ava, you finally answered?” His voice was heavy. “Where are you?”

“Just landed.”

“I know you landed. I’m asking which airport.”

I paused. “I left. I’m in Russo family territory now.”

Silence on the line.

“What? Why?”

“I took the offer from Ice Rose. She’s the only female Capo in the Russo family.”

“When did you talk to them?”

“Two weeks ago.”

Ethan was clearly stunned. “Wait, hold on. You were planning to join the Russos two weeks ago? And now you’ve traveled all this way to meet them?”

“Yeah.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

The question almost made me laugh.

I’d wanted to tell them back then.

I’d meant to tell them: I’d turned the Russos down once, all because I wanted to stay with the four of them.

We’d had dinner together that night, the five of us.

I’d just opened my mouth to say “I’ve got something to tell you,” when Chloe clutched her stomach beside

me, complaining she’d been feeling unwell lately.

Mason immediately left to get her medicine.

Liam pulled up nearby hospitals on his phone.

Ethan grabbed her cup to pour warm water.

By the end of that meal, nobody circled back to ask what I’d wanted to say.

I’d told myself I’d bring it up another time.

I figured there was no point bringing it up anymore.

Ethan kept pressing. “Say something.”

“There’s nothing left to say.”

“What do you mean nothing left to say?” He grew frustrated. “This is huge. You didn’t even talk it over with me? We promised we’d build our own clan together…”

“You didn’t consult me when you decided I’d ride the bus alone.”

“That’s different.”

“How?”

He went quiet, stuck for words.

It took him several seconds to reply. “Ava, are you still upset about the trip? Come back first. We’ll talk it through properly once you’re home.”

Again, “come back.”

He never once considered I might not be coming back at all.

I watched the crowd streaming out of the airport arrivals gate.

“Ethan.”

“Yeah?”

“We’re breaking up.”

Total silence on his end.

After a long pause, he spoke like he hadn’t heard me right. “What did you say?”

“We’re done.”

“Ava, all because of a few bus rides?”

“No.”

“Then is it Chloe?”

“Not her either.”

His voice rose with urgency. “Then you have to tell me why.”

My hand tightened around the phone.

Once, all I’d ever wanted was for him to ask me why.

Now he finally had, and I barely felt like explaining.

“Ethan, think back over these last few years. Think back and tell whatever you remember.”

Every single day, every single second, it hurt!

I hung up.

When he called again, I didn’t answer.

One of Ice Rose’s men was waiting to pick me up.

He glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “Ready to cut all ties with your old life?”

“I am.”

He hit the gas. “Then welcome to the Russo family.”

I silenced my phone.

Unfamiliar streets rolled past the window.

But for some reason, I felt no fear at all.