Chapter 19
“Some time? For what?” I ask, heart in my throat.
“Some time away from you,” Delilah chokes out.
My heart stops. I die from her sharp rejection but somehow, my punishment is to live in eternal purgatory without her.
How did tonight go sideways so fast? I went to refill our drinks when Carolyn from the liquor store cornered me. She’s always been blatantly clear she wants to fuck me. Thing is, I have no desire to fuck anyone other than Delilah, let alone a cougar like Carolyn.
I couldn’t have been away from Delilah more than five minutes. Fuck. Was it longer? What does she think she saw? Because I told Carolyn in no uncertain terms I wasn’t interested and to keep her hands to herself.
That predator slipped something into the drink he picked up from the bartender and I followed the fucker to stop him from hurting whatever poor girl he was hunting.
When he gave the drugged glass to Delilah, I saw red. Rage. Protectiveness. Jealousy. Possession. Why’s another man buying my girl a drink? And why’s she accepting it? And who the fuck does he think he is to hurt what’s mine?
“Delilah, I don’t—what happened? Whatever it is, I’ll fix it. Please. Just come home with me,” I beg like a fool.
“You can’t fix it.” Pain lances through me as her dagger pierces through my chest.
I get to my feet and move to hug her but jerk my arms back. She doesn’t want me to touch her. She doesn’t want me.
We stand in deafening silence. What am I going to do? I can’t lose her. Not even for one night. I won’t survive it.
“Oh, thank god. Reid! She’s over here!” Isabelle yells, running towards her house. Mounting the porch, Izzy’s eyes eviscerate me, furious Delilah’s hurt, and certainly blaming me.
The sob that bubbles up Delilah’s throat twists the knife in my chest. “Can I…stay here for a while?” she asks her sister, delivering the killing blow to my heart.
Reid reaches the porch, looking as furious with me as Izzy does. He locks eyes with his fiancée, some telepathic couple-conversation passing between them.
Izzy wraps her arm around Delilah’s shaking shoulders and leads her into the cabin. She gives Reid a pointed look before shutting me off from the love of my life.
“Thank you,” Reid says, shocking the shit out of me.
“What?”
“Thank you for being there for her. I didn’t know Jason was a predator. If I did, I would’ve killed him a long time ago. I’m sorry Delilah had to go through that. You’re a good man, Connor.”
“She doesn’t seem to think so.” I’m disgusted such a petty thing came out of my mouth.
Reid leans against the porch railing, crossing his arms in a “dad” stance. “Don’t be fucking stupid.” What? Is he serious?
“You’re in love with her.”
My ears ring and my eyes blur hearing my deepest secret spoken so clearly for the universe to hear.
“Don’t bother arguing. I’ve known since your birthday party last year. No man looks at a woman the way you look at Delilah unless he’s in love,” Reid says like I’m dumb as shit.
I can’t bring myself to admit it. It won’t do any good. The less people who know the truth, the better. If Reid’s known all these months, surely, he’s told Isabelle.
Has she told Delilah? She couldn’t have. If she had, Delilah wouldn’t think she’s anything other than mine.
“She loves you too, you know.” That gets my fucking attention.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. She loves me as a friend.”
“Yea, that’s what Isabelle said when I asked her. But I don’t buy it. So, what are you going to do about it?” I scowl at Reid, daring him to continue.
“You’re going to lose her if you don’t tell her how you feel. Take it from a guy who almost lost the love of his life.” His eyebrows raise, the scarred one not quite as high.
“How did you fix it?” I ask quietly, but my words reverberate loudly in my muddled brain. I have to fix this. I need her.
“It was a different situation, but same principles should apply, I’d bet.
First, I admitted to myself all the painful, ugly, terrifying truths I’d been burying.
Then, I told her everything and hoped like hell she’d give me another chance.
I’ve spent every minute since trying to be the man she deserves. ”
Reid stands from the railing and pats me hard on the back. “You’ve got to admit it to yourself before you can tell her. And pray it’s not too late.” And with that, he slips inside to guard my girl, my heart, for the night.
Sleep eludes me. The bed smells like her. The sheets are cold and still without her beside me. The walls of this damned apartment are haunted with her voice, her laughter, and her love.
No matter what I do next, my life will never be the same. But if I had to choose a life with Delilah or without her, I’d choose her.
Every. Single. Time.