Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

Crystal

Even though it was ridiculous, I had hoped Mayson would show up to see me off. But I hadn't heard a word from him since he dropped me back off at the resort yesterday afternoon. I could text him, or call him, but I had done enough damage. He didn't need me to do any more of it.

I sat in the back of the black SUV while Bennett drove me to the airport. Zoey had joined him on the drive. Said they had errands to run on the way back, but I didn't buy that for a second. She was there to support me. The problem was I couldn't even bring myself to talk. That didn't stop her. She made small talk the entire way.

When we finally arrived at the airport, she got out too. "Crystal, you have time to call him."

"No. It's too late. He doesn't want to hear anything I have to say," I replied.

"You don't know that," she said.

"He made it very clear. He hates me," I stated.

Zoey gasped. "If he said that, he didn't mean it. He was just...shocked."

"I know he was, and he was so angry. You weren't there. He wants nothing to do with me. And I'm sure the rest of the family feels the same way." They all hate me.

" That's why I said you should call him."

"Because everyone hates me?" I asked. That just seemed cruel.

"I spoke to Raya this morning. And Bennett talked to Orion. Neither of them knows anything about a letter. When we mentioned you were leaving today, they seemed surprised you weren't staying longer. I told them you needed to get back to work. That is something they both understand."

"He probably just hasn't had time to tell them." Probably embarrassed.

" Crystal, I was hoping that you would've told Mayson sooner, but you didn't. Zoey feels horrible. I don't. But I did speak to Mayson last night after I learned he dropped you off and didn't go inside," Bennett said.

I was afraid of asking because Bennett scared me. The one thing that scared me more was not knowing what Mayson told Bennett. "I know I have no right to ask, but can you tell me what he said?"

Bennet didn't answer right away, and Zoey said, "You can tell her, or I will."

"He said that he is not going to tell anyone what you did. He wasn't even going to share it with me, but I told him I already knew."

That made me feel a little better. But it didn't matter to me who else didn't like me. I was only concerned about Mayson. And no one could convince me that he could forgive me.

"Thank you for telling me," I said. The pilot was standing by the stairs and there was no point in keeping him waiting. "I better get aboard. Thank you for driving me again."

"Crystal, the pilot will wait for you if you want to talk to Mayson one more time," Zoey stated.

I smiled. "I know you want us together, but sometimes things are too broken to fix."

"And sometimes you need to keep trying. I believe with time you two can work this out," she said.

Time. That's a funny word. I've used it a lot myself this past week. The issue was all about timing. If I would've been honest upfront, we could have still used this time to get to know each other and without this lie hanging over us.

"Maybe I'll call him when I get home." And maybe I won't.

She hugged me and whispered, "Don't give up. I know you love him. And he loves you. Fight for each other."

"Thank you, Zoey. Thank you for everything." Then I turned to Bennett and said, "I'm sorry for involving you both in this."

"I wish you had sooner. I probably could've helped. Not that I like my wife being so...involved, but she is right. Time will help. Mayson cares deeply for you. Even if you leave now, this isn't the end," he said.

"I want to believe that," I said.

Turning, I walked to the jet and got onboard. They didn't stay there to wave goodbye. And even as the jet prepared to take off, I stared out the window hoping to see Mayson's car pull up. But no one was there and now I had a long flight home, all alone.

I was hoping I could sleep because I didn't get any last night. Each time I closed my eyes, all I saw was how disappointed and hurt Mayson was. And now I get to fly back home and face Anya. I didn't have any good news for her. If anything, I may have made things worse.

Everyone who trusts me seems to regret it. And all I wanted to do was help.

My phone buzzed and I quickly pulled it out. But it wasn't Mayson. It was Kathy.

SORRY YOU I CAN'T BE YOUR TRAVEL BUDDY ON THE WAY BACK. BUT IT WAS GREAT GETTING TO KNOW YOU. SAFE TRAVELS.

It felt nice hearing from someone. But if it weren't for Mayson deciding not to tell anyone, then her warm wishes wouldn't have come.

I had to respond. At least this time, I wasn't lying.

I MISS YOUR COMPANY.

A long flight with nothing to do but rehash all the mistakes I made this past week was going to give me a stomach ulcer for sure.

I CAN GIVE YOU A LIST OF MY FAVORITE COMEDIES TO WATCH ON YOUR FLIGHT IF YOU WANT THEM

You would think that Kathy knew I needed cheering up, but she didn't. This was just Kathy being Kathy.

THANKS. I THINK I WILL SLEEP ON THIS TRIP.

Not that it was going to happen, but I couldn't stomach watching a comedy. Laughter was the furthest thing from my mind and crying was out of the question too. My tear ducts were tapped out from crying all night. What I needed was something I should've done on the flight here. A plan on how to get Mayson to agree to see his mother.

Too bad I won't be able to do it before I get back home.

I hadn't called Mr. Cain yet to tell him that I was returning. Doing so was admitting that I failed. Realistically, I never thought I was going to be able to pull it off in the first place. I mean, the idea of someone talking a stranger into forgiving someone else didn't sound plausible. But as I got to know Mayson, I started to believe differently. And after my talk with Zoey, I thought I could get him to not just open the letter, but to want to see his mother again.

If only I said no to the ride, and we had talked first instead.

But if that was the case, then I never would've told him how I felt about him, and I never would've known that he felt the same way about me.

At least he did even if he doesn't anymore.