Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 128156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
My dad reaches out, giving my shoulder a little squeeze. “I know, Son. I know.”
Paige
It’s late, nothing but the sound of the ocean in the distance. The street is dark, as are the windows as I slide my key into the lock, wondering, if only for a moment, if it will even work this time. It’s a silly thought; this is my studio after all. The door opens with ease, not a single squeak, and I close it just as fast, locking myself inside.
My eyes instantly go to the back wall, to the butterflies and the photo of me and my dad. I should be shocked by how much this place feels like mine again, but I’m not. How could I be when every inch was so clearly, carefully thought out with me in mind.
I thought it was perfect before, but it’s so much more now. I can feel the effort; I feel the thought and attention, and it’s all because of him.
Arms crossed over my chest, I walk farther into the space, and that’s when I see him.
Curled up in the corner on a sleeping bag, as if there isn’t a big, beautiful house with his bed inside it just five minutes down the road. There’s even a duffel beside him, some clothes half strewn out, a couple other pieces stacked beside it, like he hasn’t left here in days—or if he has, he always comes right back.
Just in case I showed up?
Because he knew I would.
Just like you knew, deep down, that he would be here when you did.
He looks so peaceful, but I know he feels anything but.
I know because I feel it too, this strain…this subconscious need that won’t go away. I shouldn’t have run out that day and I shouldn’t have gone quiet after, but I was overwhelmed.
I was overwhelmed and I hurt him because of it.
My features soften and I take a step closer, watching as he starts to stir.
Slowly, hazel eyes blink open, and it’s as if I can feel his harsh inhale in my own throat.
“Paige.” His voice is rough, his surprise creating an ache in my chest.
The vulnerability in his voice kills me. It draws me closer, pulling me in even though I don’t really know what I’m doing.
I’ve thought about this a hundred times, run through the words in my head over and over, changing them each time. None were quite right and now that I’m standing here with him, I can’t even figure out a single place to start.
There is so much to say, isn’t there?
As I look down at him, at the stricken and uncertain expression on his face, I’m unexpectedly not so sure.
Chase sits up, his back resting against the wall, eyes tired and shoulders down.
And in the silence that stretches, his eyes locked on mine, suddenly I do know what I want to say, what I’ve been trying to say for months, but this man, this stubborn, hardheaded, selfless man wouldn’t allow it.
I place myself directly in front of him, and for once, he has to look up at me.
My hands tremble, but I force them to lift, cupping his face, feeling the stubble there. His eyes slam closed.
“No, open your eyes. You’re going to look at me.” I tighten my grip. “Chase, look at me.”
He swallows, and finally those eyes of his meet mine.
“What you did,” I whisper, my voice barely a breath. “It wasn’t fair.” I gulp hard, shaking my head. “You hid things from me, big things that affect you, things that affect me and my life. My future. You lied. You let me walk around in the dark, left me out, and you had no right. You did all those things and more and I want to be so mad at you right now because you didn’t even give me a chance.” His brows crash, eyes moving between mine. “I want to be so mad but how the hell am I supposed to be?”
One of his hands shoots up, fingers latching around my wrist.
“I’m supposed to be, right?” I whisper, my head shaking. “I think I’m supposed to be but I just… I’m not, Chase. How can I be? Look what you did for me. What you sacrifice. You say you were never going to leave me, and I believe you. So while I want to be mad at you, I’m not. I’m mad at myself because it took me so long to come, to tell you that I’m sorry for ever doubting your love for me. You love me.”
His lips tremble, his grip tightening.
My hands shake, my eyes never leaving his as the words fall out of me, raw and real. “I didn’t understand before why you would never let me speak the words out loud, but I get it now. You don’t think you deserve it. Well, I’m here to tell you you’re wrong. You are so much more than you think you are, and I’m so in love with you that I kind of want to smack you right now because how could you ever even think you were unworthy of this feeling?” My voice cracks, and that does it. “You…are everything I never knew existed and so much more than I thought I would ever have, and I don’t see how anyone could ever love someone more than I love you.”