Chapter 32 #2
I shake all over, panic rising swiftly. “This, it changes nothing. Honestly, what am I going to do with a baby? Be a bitter mother for the rest of my life because I had a child with a man who will eventually forget about us and get another family?”
“That’s fucked up and you know it. Your mom is bitter because your dad chose someone else and she takes it out on you. Walker wants you! You’re the person messing it up.” I know he’s right, but I’ll be damned if it doesn’t hurt hearing it. “You have to tell him.”
I shake my head. “No. I can’t.” I run from the room.
“You have to tell him, Reese.” He follows me from room to room as I run from him. Finally, he stops and crosses his arms in defiance. “You tell him or so help me God, I will.”
I stumble back, shocked he’d pick Walker over me. “You wouldn’t do that to me.”
He hangs his head, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I love you, you know that. But he’s a good man and doesn’t deserve this.”
He’s right. Walker’s an amazing man but the facts are, it will not work. “It won’t matter. We still can’t be together. Mark my word, he’ll never speak to me again after this.”
“When you decide Walker deserves knowing all there is, I’ll bet hard money he’ll still be here.
You spew all this shit about how amazing he is, but you don’t act like it.
I’m positive there’s nothing that will make him turn his back on you.
” His brows are pulled low over his eyes, contempt dripping from his words.
I’m slack-jawed. I shake my head. “Fine. I’ll tell him, but I’m not letting him back in.”
“Fine.” Alden brushes past me on his way out the door.
I sit in my Jeep, staring at the back door to the crisis center. I’m working up my courage to go in. Walker changed his days, so we wouldn’t run into each other. He’s going to be surprised when I walk in. I’m waiting as late as I can, hoping there’ll be fewer people.
I should’ve asked him to meet me somewhere, but I want to feel safe and on common ground. I grab my bag and head inside. I swing the door open.
Maisyn’s eyes narrow. “What are you doing here?”
“I need to talk to Walker.”
“Don’t, please. He’s just started getting better.”
Fuck her. Like I’m all happy-go-lucky.
I raise my brow, leering at her. “I’m talking to Walker.”
“Well, talk.” Walker stands with his arms folded by a conference room.
I point to the office. “Can we?”
He nods, following me inside. He closes the door behind us, leaning against it. My breath hitches from his proximity. It’s been six weeks since I’ve been this close to him. To say he doesn’t affect me would be a lie.
My brows knit. “I’m not sure where to start.”
“It’s not like I get to choose. You do that for me.” His disdain is palpable, with good reason.
I wring my hands, my stomach flipping. “I know you’re angry, and you have every right to be. I know you can’t understand my reasons.” My lips tremble with every word.
He levels me with a glare. “Maybe because you haven’t given me any reasons.”
“Can I just say that I have every right to walk away. You don’t own me.” I fist my hand, laying it on my hip.
His mouth pops open, then closes. He stands straight, leaning toward me. “I’m sorry you think I treated you like I own you. It was never my intention.” He spins on his heels.
This is it. I have to tell him.
“Walker, wait. I’m sorry.” I grab his arm; the contact sends a shock through my body.
He glances over his shoulder, his eyes piercing, rooting me to my spot. “Unless you’re here to tell me you love me, I need to get back to work.” He opens the door.
Heat spreads through me. Venom fills my words. “Why does everything have to be your way? Did you ever consider I might have a better way?”
“Does it lead to you and I being together?” He narrows his eyes. My heart pounds against my ribcage, and my breath hitches. I shake my head, biting my lip. His face falls, along with my heart. I’m doing this to him. I’m hurting him this way. “I didn’t think so.”
“You don’t know everything, you know? This is for the best.” I grit my teeth as the lie falls from my lips, leaving a bad taste in my mouth.
“So, you say.” He pulls from my touch, and the door closes behind him.
Fury blinds me, pulling the knot in my gut tighter. “Fuck it.”
I storm from the building, leaving Walker behind.
I jerk my Jeep door open, throwing my bag into the seat.
I fall to pieces. My tears hit the ground.
I can’t do this, I can’t have him, but I don’t think I can live without him.
I whirl around to run back to Walker, but I’m met with a hand around my neck.
“Now, tell me where my fucking wife is.” Heath’s grip on my neck tightens. I claw at his hand, scratching at him.
“No fucking way, asshole.” I grit my teeth when pain explodes in my skull as he bounces my head off the side of my Jeep.
“Now, you fucking bitch.” His breath washes over my face, the smell of alcohol inundating me. “I’m not asking again.”
My head hits the metal a little harder this time.
His grasp tightens, making me struggle for air. I gasp as my vision darkens. Then, the light goes out. In the distance, I hear Walker calling my name. His voice, sweet and caring. I can tell he still loves me.