Choosing You (Gravity Hill #3)

45. Chapter 42

“ Y ou asked me to give you a reason,” my voice is soft, and tears drop when I blink. I take a deep breath because fuck he’s so gorgeous when he’s mad. “Weeks ago, you asked me to give you a reason not to get in the car with your roommate.”

Swallowing down my anxiety and fear, I look him dead in the eye, and with a clear voice, I say, “Choosing you hasn’t ever been an option because it’s always been you , Henry.”

His eyes widen, and God, I can’t believe I let him down for so long. That he let me drag him through my mess and still holds onto hope that I can love him like before, even through his sadness and anger.

“My heart chose yours the instant you whispered into the darkness that you had your sights set on someone who you didn’t think could ever feel the same. The moment you laid out who you are to your three best friends who you thought you would lose. You’re brave, Henry. Tackling all the scary moments in your life and facing them head-on. You’re kind, inquisitive, sexy, and so fucking perfect I can’t replace you. Even if I wanted to.”

“But, Charlie…” He hiccups, and his eyes pool with tears.

“It’s fake, all of it,” I whisper and look around at our family watching, “I’ll tell you everything if you’re willing to listen.”

His eyes look around the room before returning to mine, and my lungs seize, waiting for him to say something.

Anything.

“I’m not saying I want you to forgive me right now. Fuck, I know that will only come with time, and maybe things will never be the way they used to be.” Inhaling a shaky breath, I push on even though our family watching makes this ten times worse. “You’ve been here through all of my bullshit until I broke something so precious in you that you had to leave. To protect you . And even though I know it won’t be easy, I’m going to scale every wall in your heart to earn your trust back and, one day, your love.”

“You said you’re seeing a therapist?” He hiccups, his eyelashes shiny with tears.

I chuckle and let out a deep breath while nodding. “Yeah, a grief counselor.”

His lips quiver, and I want so badly to kiss him, but I know that's not what he needs right now. I need to heal what's broken between us before anything physical can happen again. So I let go of his arm and wait for him to process what I’ve said.

“You and Charlie aren’t… You never–”

He can’t even finish his question, and I shake my head.

“But the contract,” he turns to look at Fern, “and Fern.”

“We’re taking care of that,” Creed says. I don’t remember him following me in here, but there he is, standing with Fern, whose face is smeared with tears.

Henry looks back at me, and I give him a small smile and keep his eyes locked on mine, imploring him to see the sincerity there.

“I promise you, there is nothing but friendship between me and Charlie.”

“I…” he blows out a breath. “I don’t understand.”

This is the moment when I give him every honest truth. He deserves my vulnerability, or at least that’s what my therapist says. “The night you went home with Koda and then kicked me out after we–” I cut myself off because I never told anyone about that night. I’m guessing Henry didn’t tell them either based on the shocked inhales from our spectators, so I continue, “I got so drunk I tried kissing Charlie.”

“It wasn’t pretty,” Charlie says from behind me. “And I turned him down.”

“You… what?”

“I then got blackout drunk, danced on top of the bar, broke countless bottles, and Talon had to call my dad.”

His chest is rising and falling at such a rapid pace I’m worried he might pass out.

“Hen–”

“Let's let Henry get settled,” Luca says, gently guiding him toward his bedroom.

Maybe this was too much all at once. Watching Luca take Henry to his room, I stand there praying that after he’s had time to think about everything I said, he’ll give me one last chance to be the man he fell in love with.

I’m going to fight for him because I know he’s it for me.

Just like I know I’m it for him.

Henry didn’t come out of his room all night. Charlie and Cin slept in Talon’s room, so I was stuck sharing my bed with the surly asshole. The girls have become pretty close over the last few weeks. I guess having homicidal fathers is a trauma-bonding topic, who knew?

After the bar fiasco, Manson referred me to a colleague that he graduated with, and we’ve been doing virtual appointments until I get back on campus since his office isn’t far away.

Firing up my computer, I kick Talon out of the room and wait for Dr. Laurier to enter the session. It’s our fourth session, and I feel more at ease this time than before.

He’s young, like Manson, with short blonde hair, dark eyes, and the kind of personality that makes you feel like you’ve known him forever.

“Mr. Rossi!” He greets, chipper like always.

“Hi, Mr. Laurier,” I smile.

“So, did you see him?” He doesn’t waste time, never has, and I appreciate his directness.

“I did,” I tell him all of the details about our encounter, replaying it in my head as I do.