Chapter 31
thirty-one
. . .
RORY
He didn’t really want me.
Summer’s words have been replaying in my head all day. She had shared about her ex before, but I didn’t know the extent of their relationship and how he had treated her. Now, I can’t get it out of my head.
When she’d whispered those words earlier, they’d dug into my chest like a hook, pulling tight.
I’ve never felt this protective over someone. Never felt the rush of anger that came with learning the woman I care about had been treated poorly by another man. And how badly I wanted to track down the guy who made her feel like she wasn’t enough and wreck him. Not just for hurting her, but for making her second-guess herself. For making her believe she wasn’t worth wanting.
But this isn’t about the past. It’s about Summer.
Now I understand why she keeps pushing me away. Why she insisted on no sex or intimacy in our marriage. Why she throws up walls every time I get close.
She doesn’t trust it.
She doesn’t trust me.
And now I need to figure out how the hell I’m going to show her I’m not like her ex.
I could be patient. Give her space. Make sure she doesn’t feel pressure to take this further before she’s ready.
But the truth is, I don’t want to wait.
Not because I’m desperate for more, even though I am, but because the more time I spend with Summer, the more I see how she holds herself back. And not just from me.
From everything.
She’s made herself smaller by downplaying her talent, and her beauty. Pretending she doesn’t notice the way people look at her like she’s something special, because it’s safer not to.
I know what it’s like to be wanted for the wrong reasons. Valued only by who you know and what you can do for people. I’ve spent my whole life navigating it.
I want Summer, and whether she comes with me to Charleston or not, I’m going to show her how much more she deserves. More than whatever that guy before me made her believe was all she was worth.
She doesn’t have to be ready right now, but I’ll be here when she is.