Need you | Miles Fairchild

8. I don't have time for this

I am so mad at Kate. And Miles. And honestly, the whole situation. I don't understand what I did to deserve any of this. My chest feels tight, anger and hurt tangled together in a way I don't know how to untangle yet.

For now, I shove it all down. I can't deal with it right now. Flora needs me—and I need the distraction.

We head outside, the sun warm on my skin, and jump into the pool. The water is refreshing, soothing, a small escape from the whirlwind of emotions swirling in my head. Flora splashes me, squealing with laughter, and for a few hours I forget everything else. She's so pure, so excited about the little things in life—it's contagious. I laugh with her, pretending that none of this chaos exists.

After swimming, we tow the horses out into the paddock. I ride Samson, Miles' favourite, my heart still a little heavy but slowly lightening with each trot and canter. Flora rides the white horse beside us, her giggles echoing across the paddock. She leans over occasionally to point out a flower or a butterfly, and I can't help but smile. For the first time today, I feel almost... normal. Almost happy.

But the storm hasn't passed. I know what I have to do. I need to settle this once and for all.

I take a deep breath and head to Miles' room. His music is loud, pulsing through the hallway, but I knock anyway.

"What is it?" he calls, clearly annoyed.

"It's me," I sigh. "Please... I just want to talk to you."

"Fine. Hurry up," he mutters.

I step inside, heart pounding, and sit on the floor in front of him. I stare at my hands for a moment, gathering courage. Then, in one breath, I spill everything.

"Look, I know I may have seemed like an idiot, but I didn't cheat on you," I say, my voice cracking. "I would never do that to you, Miles. I love you so much, and I don't know what I would do without you. You've brought so much happiness into my life, and I wouldn't want that ruined—for either of us."

Tears slip down my cheeks. I can't stop them. My voice is choked, my chest tight.

Miles sits down beside me and wraps me in his arms, holding me as if I could shatter at any second.

"Listen," he whispers, voice soft. "I believe you. Okay? I can see you're clearly upset. I can hear it in your voice. I can tell you're telling the truth. I love you too, and I don't know what I would do without you."

I bury my face into his chest, feeling the warmth of him seep into my skin. "I'm so sorry," I whisper, wiping my tears away.

"None of this is your fault," he says gently, brushing my hair from my face and planting a light kiss on my lips.

A small smile tugs at my lips despite the lingering anger. "Let's go find Kate," I say, determined.

"Okay," Miles agrees, his hand still firmly holding mine.

Boy, was I mad at her. She was going to cop a piece of my mind—and then some.

We storm into Kate's room—only to find it empty. Confused, we hear muffled sobs coming from the bathroom. Exchanging a glance, we barge in. There she is, sitting on the floor, knees drawn up to her chest, tears streaming down her face.

"What's up with you?" Miles asks calmly but firmly.

"Fuck off, both of you!" she snaps, her voice cracking. "Just go enjoy your perfect little lives. I'll stay here... alone... because no one will believe what's happening to me!"

I cross my arms, trying to control my rising anger. "We don't care about your sob story, Kate. Treating us like this doesn't fix anything. It doesn't make everything okay, just like that!"

Miles steps closer, his presence steadying me, his voice calm. "Why did you do it?" he asks.

"Do what?" she retorts, her voice shaky.

"Don't play stupid, Kate. You know exactly what you did!" I yell, my fists clenching at my sides.

Her eyes widen slightly, but she still curls into herself. "Listen... I'm sorry. I was just jealous, okay? Just... leave me alone," she whispers, voice almost breaking.

I take a deep, frustrated breath. "You know what... fine." I turn on my heel, storming out. Miles follows silently, hand finding mine once more.

As the door slams behind us, I sink against the wall, trying to let go of the adrenaline, the anger, the hurt.

What a day, I think, burying my face in my hands.

Miles kneels beside me, brushing my hair from my face. "You okay?" he asks gently.

I nod, leaning against him. "I am now," I admit. "Thanks for... believing me. I love you so much, Miles."

He smiles softly, pulling me closer. "I love you too. And don't worry... we'll deal with Kate. Together."

And for the first time today, I feel like maybe everything will be okay.