Chapter 26 Gift Giving
Gift Giving
Alek
I never knew how comforting it could be to pour your heart into something that means the world to someone you love.
Each careful movement soothed my nerves and muffled the cruel voice in my mind, insisting none of this mattered.
That voice always tried to convince me I should be doing something more useful, but I forced it down, recognizing the echo of my father in its tone.
He never grasped what love or family meant. No wonder I turned out so damn broken.
I flinch as I pick up the gift-wrapped box from the coffee table.
When I glance at my hands, a crooked smile tugs at my lips.
Bandages cover a few fingers, souvenirs from the hot glue gun, and tiny cuts crisscross my skin like a map of my clumsy devotion.
Time and care poured into this, a symbol—my effort to somehow piece together what I broke.
Who the hell knew that crafting could be so damn dangerous?
Love sometimes stings, but these little wounds are nothing next to the ache Hayvin has carried since I shattered her heart.
The drive to Hayvin’s house is second nature by now. I’ve traced this path so many times since I found out where she’d gone. These nights parked outside, keeping silent watch, have become a strange comfort. A way to ease the guilt for what I put her through. I’m her shadow, and she has no idea.
It still stuns me that I ever forgot she kept it. In my mind, once she moved in, I never imagined I’d hurt her badly enough that she’d need it again.
I’ve been such a damn fool.
I chew the inside of my cheek as I wait for Hayvin to answer.
I’ve talked myself out of this a thousand times since pulling into her driveway.
Doubts and old ghosts urge me to turn back, to quit.
But I’m done running. I found my home in her three damn years ago, but fear kept me from letting her hold me.
The porch light flips on, and the door opens.
I draw in a sharp breath at the sight of her.
Hayvin’s hair is twisted into a messy knot, stray strands tumbling across her face, and my hands ache to smooth them away.
She pushes her rainbow glasses up her nose, a gesture so familiar it tugs a smile from me.
Her camisole, a word I only know because she’s said it so often, rides above her belly button, revealing the sparkling jewel I used to adore with my tongue.
Fuck, I miss her so damn much.
“What are you doing here, Alek?”
“I’m sorry for not realizing how late it is. I just wanted to bring this to you and didn’t think about anything else. Were you asleep?”
She shakes her head. “No. I was busy working on a song.”
A wave of sadness crashes over me as her throat tightens and she drops her chin. My heart twists, knowing I’m the reason she feels she can’t even share her music with me.
Gently, I hook my finger under her chin, lifting her gaze to mine. “Don’t hide, not because of me. You’re incredible, Hayvin Marie. You deserve to shine. Don’t let anyone dim that light. You hear me?”
I offer her the gift box, watching surprise flicker across her face before she slowly reaches out and takes it from my hands.
“What is this?”
“It’s something I should have given you a long time ago.
I messed up, never showing you how much you mean to me.
This is my attempt to make it right.” I nod at the box in her hands.
“It’s just the beginning. I know it won’t fix everything, but you deserve to know the truth.
I made you feel like you weren’t the center of my world, and I’m so damn sorry for that.
Tonight I want you to see our love through my eyes. ”
I step closer until the box presses between us, and she looks up at me. Confusion dances in her beautiful eyes, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she studies me.
Reaching out, I gently free her lip and trace my thumb over the faint marks. “Get ready, baby girl. I’m coming for you. Get inside and lock the door.”
She stands frozen until I step back and lean against the porch post, waiting to make sure she’s safe before I leave. Hayvin glances at me one last time, her face a storm of uncertainty, before slipping inside. Only when I hear the alarm chirp do I finally turn and walk toward my car.
I hope she’s ready, because I have three years' worth of shitty behavior to make up for.