Chapter 36
THIRTY-SIX
Tearful Truth
Jack
Once I saw the cloud of snowflakes fly up over the barrier separating us, I took four long strides and made a mad fucking dash to hop the fence. I was about to cross enemy lines, but nothing could stop me. I had to get to Elle and ensure her safety.
With all my strength, I grabbed the top of the wooden post and pulled myself up.
My teeth gritted together as I hoisted my body higher and swung a leg over the top.
I saw Elle’s backyard. Balanced on the creaking fence, I sat and let my legs dangle over the other side.
I pushed up with my hands, hopped down, and landed with my boots on the ground.
A groan sounded beside me.
“Elle?” I called out.
Frantically, I searched the ground until I saw a stool on its side. Next to it was a giant snowbank, and something was inside. I could barely make out red and black plaid pajamas through all the snow. A hand popped out of the embankment of white.
“I’m here,” Elle said, her voice muffled as she waved her hand. “Help. Please?”
Without hesitation, I stepped into the thigh-high fluffy snow, and reached a hand out to Elle. She accepted my gesture. Electric shocks zapped between us, and I pulled against Mother Nature, who tried to keep her trapped inside. I gritted my teeth, tugged, and she popped up, but fell into my arms.
As fucking caught up as I was in Elle, I wiped the snow off her face with my sleeve. She blinked twice; her cheeks turned rosy. She was too damn sweet. I wanted to kiss her, but she pushed away.
I couldn’t contain the chuckle rumbling up my throat at the sight of her messy hair with white flakes in it. She brushed the snow off her pajamas and bent down to pluck pieces of ice out of her boot. She glanced up, glaring at me, and my laughter cut short.
I cleared my throat. “You okay?”
“I’m peachy, Timber,” Elle snapped.
Yep, Elle was fine. The cheery, sassy brat was back. Time to get the fuck out before I gave her mixed signals. I yearned terribly to take her into my arms and kiss her like I never wanted to fucking quit.
“Good.” I turned my back to her and headed toward the fence.
“Wait a damn minute...” Elle dropped a hand on my shoulder. “You rejected me yesterday, and broke my heart only to turn around and save me today? What the hell is wrong with you?”
I spun around, my nostrils flaring as I tried to contain the need to touch Elle as she stood strong in front of me.
There wasn’t one inch of weakness in her, and the determination in her stare made me want her even more.
To kiss her, hold her, and tell her I loved her more than I ever thought I fucking could.
Not as a goddamn family friend, but as a man.
A man who desired her and wanted to be with her no matter what anyone thought because our affection for each other was strong. Fucking untouchable.
“You,” I admitted as I glared down at her. “But I’m not right for you. I knew better than to get mixed up with a little girl like you.”
I had to make Elle fucking hurt even though the pain in her beautiful cinnamon eyes made me ache too.
“Why did you then?” she asked me, tears glistening in her gaze.
I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter now, does it? We’re over. Done. Fucking finished.”
Elle crossed her arms over her chest. “Was she better than me?”
Don’t do this to me, Elle... I don’t want to lie anymore, but I have to because I created this untruth, and I had to see it through.
“Yep. She’s all women. Not princess material,” I replied.
“Leave.” Elle pointed toward the fence, and her lower lip trembled. “Don’t come onto my property ever, old man.”
“You got it,” I grumbled, turned around with my heart breaking in my chest, and glanced over my shoulder for one last look at her. “I’ll never make this mistake again.”
I froze. My eyes widened as I caught sight of Faith over Elle’s shoulder, and the tears glistening in her eyes crushed my soul. Stomped on the essence of my existence, and I was the biggest piece of shit ever to walk this planet. Times two.
I turned all the way around.
“Kiddo?” I reached out a hand and took a step forward. “I can explain.”
“You are leaving?” Faith asked.
“Your mommy and I—” Elle held up a hand and cut me off.
“Enough, Mr. Timber.” Elle glanced back at her daughter. “Go inside, Faith.”
“Why are you leaving?” Faith’s lower lip trembled.
“Faith, please go back inside,” Elle urged.
Faith burst into tears as she ran away into the house as her sadness consumed her. Desperately, I wanted to reach her, hold her innocence in my arms and take away the pain. I never intended to hurt her sweet, fucking lovable soul. I had to fix this.
I marched toward the back door. “Wait, Faith, I—”
“No.” Elle blocked my way and wouldn’t let me pass. “Let me deal with my child because you clearly never cared about her.”
“Elle, I did, but I’m too old for you and—” Elle silenced me by pressing a hand into my chest.
“If you did, Jack, you would’ve put Faith first before you gave up when things got tough.
” Elle peered up at me with intense passion searing into my lonely soul.
“Age doesn’t matter, but love does. She does.
You should’ve considered all the consequences before putting my daughter’s delicate heart on the line and mine too. ”
Elle turned away, and I let her go because she was right. I gave up. As soon as Gabriel found out I had panicked and denied the one thing I never thought I’d be capable of. Love. To care for another soul—not only my damn dog, but Faith and her beautiful mom—but I had gone and fucked everything up.
Bitterness consumed me while I was alone in the cold, but my devotion to Elle and her daughter remained strong. I knew there was only one thing left for me to do. No matter what I had to do, I’d fight for my girls.