Chapter 25
Audrey’s beautiful gaze is locked on mine. I don’t look down at the stack of cards at the podium, as none of this is planned. I need to say all of this directly from my heart.
“Around five months ago, I was tasked with MC-ing this event, and told by the board of the foundation that I needed to help a local veterinarian plan it.
Known only as Doctor A, I assumed the vet was a guy.
Luckily, I was wrong. “ A wave of pleasant laughter fills the ballroom as I continue. “I was matched with Doctor Audrey Carrington, a brilliant veterinarian with one of the kindest hearts I’ve ever had the privilege to meet. While I had looked forward to planning this event about as much as someone looks forward to a root canal, I found my time with Audrey to be so unexpectedly enjoyable. And that even includes our first night planning this event, when I got so anxious I threw up as soon as I walked in her front door.”
Hushed gasps fill the air. “That’s right, folks. I barfed. Hard. I’m not sure of many things in the world that could be any more emasculating than that. But Audrey took it all in stride, never once making me feel embarrassed. And that’s the thing: Audrey is the most genuine person I’ve ever met.”
I see Becca and Jax nodding their heads in my periphery, but my eyes don’t leave Audrey’s.
Her face is devoid of expression, but a constant stream of tears cascades down her face.
I wish I could go to her. Promise to take away every bit of pain I know I’m responsible for delivering.
“You may think I’m making that up, but a few days after that night, while texting back and forth, Audrey ghosted me.
But not for a reason you might think. She found a box of guinea pigs dropped off at her vet clinic, immediately fell in love with all five of them, and is now raising them herself.
Along with her handicapped dog, conveniently named Flash.
Audrey is a single mom of six, I guess.”
Louder laughter breaks out, and I notice Audrey’s lips twitch.
I’m taking that as a good sign. “I should have known I was in trouble — or, at the very least, my heart was — when she point-blank asked me if I’m autistic.
And she didn’t bat an eyelash. In fact, I think my admission may have worked in my favor.
She saw something in me that so few have ever seen.
I’ve hidden the real me, choosing to use a variety of masks I’ve taught myself how to use, and act like real Jamie isn’t worthy.
Or lovable. But Audrey proved me wrong. She patiently taught me that I’m enough. And then I went and fucked it all up.”
A crescendo of gasps fill the air, but I wave for everyone to stop.
“Even though I had gained a tremendous amount of confidence from Audrey, I was still broken in one sore area. I was convinced that, if Audrey were to be introduced to the public as mine, she’d be so freaked out that she’d leave.
She’d want nothing to do with me, because what self-respecting woman wants her entire life to be under a microscope?
So, when my agent pressed me about any budding romance between me and Audrey, I lied.
And I’m an awful liar. He saw right through me, but unbeknownst to me, Audrey was listening through my phone.
I’d accidentally connected an incoming call from her, and she heard me lie to my agent. But she didn’t know I was lying.”
Emotion fills my eyes as I look down on her.
“I’m so sorry, Doc. I’m so sorry that you thought for a second I’d want anyone but you.
It was an awful attempt to protect you. As misguided as I was, I wanted to give you time to come to terms with what life would be like with me.
I wanted you to be certain that you thought I was worth it.
I didn’t want to force your hand, or feel like the media outed you when you weren’t ready.
And now,” I say with a watery laugh, “I’ve outed you in front of a thousand or so people, and a ton of media outlets. I’m really batting a thousand here.”
Many laugh, but my attention is only focused on Audrey.
She swipes at a tear, but her gaze doesn’t leave mine.
My notebook, which became a diary over the past two weeks, is held tightly to her chest. “Audrey, you’ve taught me so much.
I’m a better man because of you. I’m begging you to give me another chance.
Let me grovel, and beg, and do everything within my power to convince you that you are a fucking goddess. I need to be in your orbit.”
Someone in the back of the room shouts, “One thousand dollars for Jameson Wahlberg!”
I chuckle awkwardly. “Uh, I’m not up for auction.”
“Five thousand dollars!” Another woman shouts.
“Six thousand!” A guy yells, making everyone laugh.
“No, seriously. I’m not part of the auction, and I just laid my heart out here. I’m not going out with someone else,” I say.
“Ten thousand!”
“Come on, Wahlberg! I’ll make it worth your time.”
Jesus. This is proving why I didn’t want Audrey to experience my life. I basically just told the love of my life that I’m nothing without her, and multiple women are getting in line. Who does that?
Before I can say anything, Audrey stands, still gripping my journal. Her face serious, she holds up one of the bidding paddles from the table.
Everyone waits, on bated breath, as she smiles.
“One hundred thousand dollars.”
I smile so hard my lips might rip open. Thank fuck. This has to mean she forgives me.
I point to her. “Sold.”
Jumping off the stage, I’m in front of Audrey in two strides, and crash my lips to hers.
It’s like coming home. Her arms sneak around my waist, her hands tight against my back, and I shudder against her.
I can’t hold her close enough. Reaching down, I put an arm around her ass, lifting her, laughing as she squeals in shock.
I stalk toward the closest door, taking us into a hallway as thunderous applause fills the ballroom.
“Jamie,” she breathes against my lips, and the dam breaks.
“I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. I hurt you, and I know I’ll be a dumbass again at some point, but please, let me love you.
It’s the only thing in this entire world I want to be good at.
You deserve everything, and I swear if you give me another chance, I will spend every day of the rest of our life together proving to you how perfect you are.
” I can’t remember the last time I cried.
A few years ago, maybe, when we lost in the AFC Championship game.
But here I am, close to sobbing, because this woman needs to know how much she means to me.
“You love me?” she whispers, her eyes shining.
“Of course, I do! That’s all you got out of that?”
She laughs, the sound so perfect it makes me cry harder. I press my back against the closest wall, sliding down until I’m on the floor, and Audrey is straddling my lap. She wipes my cheeks with her thumbs. “You know how you said you need my eyes open? That it’s important to you?”
I nod.
“I need to hear the words, Jamie.” Her eyes are full of uncertainty, and I realize how much she’s suffered because of never hearing how important she is.
“Audrey Carrington,” I begin, dragging a lock of hair and tucking it behind her ear, “I am so desperately in love with you. I didn’t know how a relationship could be until meeting you.
Until I barfed in your bathroom, and found my perfect match had toiletries categorized alphabetically and in order of height. ”
A burst of laughter leaves her lips as more tears fall, and I continue.
“I love your heart. How much you do for the animal population of Denver. How supportive you are of me, and how you make me want to be a better man because of you. You deserve the best, Doc. And there’s nothing I want more in life than to prove to you that I can be the man for you. ”
“I love you too,” she whispers. “I’ve barely survived this week. Up in the mountains, I could live in denial. Act like you didn’t exist. But when I came home, all I wanted to do was find you and demand answers. I was so heartbroken.”
I rest my forehead against hers, taking a moment to breathe her in.
As my body begins to relax, I realize the tension I’ve been carrying the last two weeks.
“You’re my home, Doc. You’re everything.
I’ve been lost without you. My life isn’t complete unless you’re in it.
I need to know you’re here. My safe space. And I want to be that for you.”
Audrey sniffles. “I want all of that. Please. When can we go home?”
I laugh as I kiss her again. “I’m supposed to MC this damn event. I can’t leave yet.”
“Damn. So at least another hour?”
“At least. But you planned this, so you know the schedule better than I do.” I watch as Audrey’s eyes drift off to the side, and I can tell she’s doing math in her head.
“Probably two hours. I’ll need to make sure everyone stays on track. And every minute you aren’t MC-ing the event, I guess that extends the time until we can leave.”
“You that impatient to get me alone, Doc?” I tease. She rests her hands on the back of my neck, lightly scratching through my hair, making me shudder.
“And you aren’t?” she asks, one eyebrow cocked. The light is back in her eyes, and I grin widely. “What’s that look for?”
I shake my head with a shrug. “I’m just so damn happy. I love you.”
Audrey giggles lightly. “I love you too. Now hop to it, QB. Let’s get this auction over with.”
She stands, and I marvel at how beautiful she is. “This dress was made for you. It’s stunning.”
“Thank you,” she says quietly as I get to my feet. Leaning in, I kiss her again, then we’re interrupted when she’s yanked away from me. “What? Mom! What the heck are you doing?”
Her mother is trembling with anger, an expression of sheer violence covering her tight face. “Do you have any idea what our friends are saying about you, Audrey? You have made this family a laughing stock again!”