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“Get out!”

“Please, just listen to me”

“GET OUT!” He shouted so loud it rang in her ears Keira ju down her face Her heart raced as she pressed her back against the cold metal of the outside of the bus Suddenly aware that she wore nothing more than a tank top and pajama shorts, Keira hustled between the two buses where she crouched down and sobbed The tears seeed her throat to the point that she thought she ht drown

She could hear the crashing and banging co from inside the bus and she closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself How had this happened? His mom had assured her that all he wanted wassob story for the tabloids? Why hadn’t she told him? Because she was a coward She was afraid that he would walk out on her like she’d walked out on hi about that, he hadn’t walked out on her, he’d kicked her out

Leaning against the bus, she shook and bit her fist to keep the noise of her cries froentle hand touched her shoulder and she startled, causing her to fall over The hands helped her stand and she wiped her face Smithy stood in front of her, his eyes downcast and he handed her a t-shirt She wiped at her eyes against the soft cotton and attempted a smile to thank hi the shirt on over her head, Keira saw her suitcase next to Sain

“Smithy, just let me talk to him”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Keira He’s a bit raw right now He’s not in a good place It’s probably best if you go right now and try to talk to him another time”

If not now, then when? What would she do now? He didn’t want to talk to her Would he ever trust her again?

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The achy pounding in his chest had returned with a vengeance The scene with Keira kept replaying in his mind That she’d just walk out on hi so i like that, especially after everything he’d shared with her She kne much it had hurt when his dad walked out on their family For her to keep that frootten any better First, Talia the opportunist and then Keira

The ache of betrayal pounded in his chest How could she have done this to him? Let it co calls from his mom She’d called him at least twenty times a day, every day since the story broke He couldn’t believe she’d lied to hiiven up with the calls after the first week

There was a knock on the tour bus door and he strode down the aisle wrenching the door open He stumbled backward as he caure of Smithy off in the distance Traitor

“Now’s not a really good tirumbled

“Don’t givein past hi to talk to me whether you want to or not Eric Yancy Newcastle”

“Really, all the names, mom? Fine, talk I don’t knohat you can say to explain away the fact that you kept Dad away for years,” he said, leaning against the counter