Текст книги "Scorched"
Автор книги: R. Holmes
сообщить о нарушении
Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 10 страниц)
I open the door and walk back into my room to find Blayr laid on my bed, reading her latest Cosmopolitan. “Did you know Adam Levine is getting married? Lucky bitch, God I hate her. She’s so not even that pretty,” she says, throwing the magazine down dramatically.
“Blayr, she’s a model. Of course she’s that pretty. Don’t be jealous she got to him first,” I laugh, picking up my brush and running it through my tangles.
“Well whatever, Charlie Hunann is still single so there’s still hope,” she replies, grinning.
“B, time to work your magic. Hurry before I throw up and change my mind,” I tell her, handing her the brush.
By 6:45 I’m plucked, styled, and dressed. Ready to go. Well physically, mentally I’m not so sure. My hair falls in loose waves down my back, my blue eyes shine with the perfect smokey eye. If there’s one thing B is good at, it’s making me over. I tell her at least twice a week she should quit college and go to beauty school. I can barely get my mascara and eyeliner right, and she’s made me a different person. Thankfully, I get away with wearing some dark skinny jeans with a black blouse, black blazer, and an opal necklace that is to die for. Her words, not mine. I’m even wearing wedges that don’t seem like they will hurt THAT bad. Hopefully we don’t do anything too strenuous or I’ll be regretting it later.
Tyler rings the doorbell at exactly 7. I look at B, my palms clammy from nervousness. Sensing my nervousness, she hugs me tight, saying, “You’ve got this babe. Be confident. You’re beautiful inside and out. He will love you as much as I do. Try not to overthink.”
She opens the door, ushering him inside. “Hey Tyler. Better be a gentleman and have her home before 12,” she winks, sashaying away, leaving us standing there alone.
“Hey Ember, you look beautiful,” he leans in to kiss my cheek, grabbing my hand.
“Thank you. I’m ready if you are?” I ask him, grabbing my bag from the hook.
“Yeah, I figured we could maybe go to dinner and see a movie? I’m open to whatever,” he says, stepping out onto the porch.
We head towards his truck and he opens my door for me, helping me inside. What a gentleman. When is the last time I saw a man do that? He starts the truck and we drive in awkward silence until he says, “Ember, you okay?” Great, five minutes in and I’m already doing a shitty job at this.
“Yeah, I haven’t really ever done this, so I’m sorry if I don’t know exactly what to do,” I reply, looking down at my hands in my lap. Trying to gather my confidence, I look up at him. “I’m excited. Where should we eat?” I smile, hoping to lighten the mood.
“Do you like Italian? We can go to a place in the city I’ve heard great things about?” He asks.
“Yeah, sounds great.” Looking out the window, I watch the lights fly by. I have to start somewhere, and this doesn’t seem like such a bad place to start.
Dinner flies by as we get to know each other. I’m surprised how easy it is to talk to him, like having dinner with an old friend. There’s no spark you read about in the romance books, no butterflies, no accidental hand brushes as we reach for our drinks. He laughs at my dorky jokes, opens my doors for me, and holds my hand as we walk to the theatre. I wonder what a second chance at love would feel like. Would it be anything like what I shared with Hale? I chastise myself for thinking of Hale while out with another man. Jeez Ember, could you be anymore disconnected? On the way home from the theatre we stop for ice cream and sit on the outside patio. The weather is nice, with the leaves falling from the trees around us.
“I really enjoyed tonight Tyler. It’s hard to believe this is my first date,” I say, trying to hide my embarrassment. I’m embarrassed to tell him that, but it is a huge step for me.
“I had a great time Em. I’m glad you gave me the chance,” he winks as he takes a lick of his ice cream.
We both start laughing. I really have had such a great time. I think Tyler will make a great friend. Maybe we didn’t get what we thought we would out of the date, but friendship is never a bad thing. He drops me back off at home, kissing my cheek, and thanking me for tonight. We make plans to see another movie next weekend after I get this huge paper out of the way. He’s a sweetheart and I’m already looking forward to next week. I walk up the drive, making my way to the porch swing. I sit, looking up at the stars. I know Hale’s looking down now. I just have to make him proud.
Tonight’s finally the Harvest Festival and the theatre is buzzing with excitement. It’s packed full of family and friends of all the dancers. These are my favorite moments as a dancer, seeing everyone’s face as their daughters, sisters, and wives dance across the stage. It’s such a bittersweet day. It’s hard living in a small town where almost every corner reminds me of something we shared together, every memory, every laugh. All the first’s I experienced with Hale. Our entire lives were spent with each other. B and I are stretching in the back wing, preparing for our dance. We go on in about twenty minutes after the younger girls.
Leaning against the bar, I pull my leg up in an L stretch, stretching my hamstrings. The worst mistake you can make is not stretching properly and I want this routine to be perfect. We’ve both worked so hard and dedicated so many hours to it. Taking a deep breath, I let it out and sink to the floor in a split.
“B, I’m nervous. I hope it’s perfect,” I tell her, watching as she turns across the floor.
“My little worry wart, we’ve got this. Confidence Ember, confidence. We’ve been practicing for ages. I’m just worried you might make sweet eyes at Tyler the whole time.” Laughing, she helps me up from the floor. “Stop stressing and just breathe. You have nothing to worry about.”
We take our last look in the mirror and head towards the stage. I wave to a few girls we’ve danced with in the past and fuss with my leotard in nervousness while we take our positions. The lights dim, the music begins playing, and the curtains slowly slide apart. We move forward, taking our positions on the stage and I look out onto the crowd, searching for familiar faces. Nash and Tyler whoop and holler from the back. I grin, keeping my count going in my head.
1..2..3…4..5..6.. With that we begin our routine, sweeping across the stage with delicate moves, our bodies lost in the music. Completely in sync. I feel free as I move across the stage; the tune so haunting and sad. A part of me feels like it’s what I need to truly free myself from the chains that have surrounded my heart for so long. As our dance comes to the end, the lights go dim on the stage and I look out on the crowd, stopping mid step– my heart stops beating in my chest. I’m stunned into immobility, my body is paralyzed at the sight. I feel my knees growing weak, my body ready to collapse. The cheers and applause drown out around me. B follows my eyes to where I’m staring, the tears blurring my vision.
Sitting front row, center to the stage is Hale Jarreau.
And then I hit the floor.
Chapter 2
Hale
War changes a man. There’s no sugar coating it; no glorifying it. No making it anything less than what it really is. I live in fear. Spending every day looking over my shoulder. I can’t be in crowds without breaking out in a cold sweat. My senses heightening with fear and panic. I’m paranoid that at any moment, I’ll be thrown back into the hell I was rescued from. Four years ago I was captured by a group of insurgents while doing a tour in Afghanistan. I was held captive until they almost blew my fucking leg off. Apparently, not being able to walk put a damper on their plans. Surprisingly, they didn’t kill me. I can’t tell you how many times I wished they would kill me. How many times I begged God to take this pain away, to save me from this. Instead of killing me, they put me through hell every day. Now, my life will never be the same. I’m no longer the man that I used to be; I’m a fragment of who I used to be.
I was rescued and kept at Walter Reed in Washington, DC, where I was “rehabilitated” and sent on my way like it never happened. Like the last four years of my life haven’t been ripped away from me. The physical scars may fade, but the scars on the inside are so deep, they’ve taken root in my heart. My heart is black, fueled by vengeance and revenge. I want to be the man they all used to know. I want to be a lot of things that I know I’ll never be again.
I don’t know what brought me here today; I can’t explain why I find myself in this seat, staring up at her blue eyes wide with disbelief. Maybe to torture myself with something I can never have again. I won’t taint her innocence and steal her ability to see the beauty in the world. If I’m condemned to this life of hate¸ I won’t bring her down with me. The best thing I can do is stay away, but you know what they say... misery loves company.
Ember
As I crack open my eyes, the lights blind me. My head’s pounding like I was run over by an eighteen wheeler. I try to sit up, but halt when I realize I’m surrounded and laying on the floor backstage. The haze in my mind clears and causes me to bolt upright. “Hale! Hale! B, where is he?” I scream at her, frantically trying to make my way to the stage.
“Ember, calm down babe. You fainted and bumped your head. Here, drink something. Take it easy for a second,” she says, handing me a bottle of water someone thrusted at her.
I take a second to compose myself, but I feel the scales tipping and I think I’m going to lose it any second. I know what I saw. I saw him sitting there, his hair too long, curling around his ears. The same brown eyes I’ve been dreaming about, praying to God to bring back to me. I know I’m not crazy.
“B, I know you saw him, we both did. Where is he? What’s going on?” I plead to her for answers. I look around at all the faces staring at me, like I’ve gone crazy. Someone has to know something. They had to have seen him sitting right there. Looking towards B, her eyebrows are drawn, the worry is etched on her face. “Ember, I…“, she stammers, not finding the words to say. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, massaging my aching temples. Slowly, I sink to the floor and untie the straps from my toe shoes. My feet are on fire and aching, my mind on overload. I pick them up and head towards the dressing room, ignoring the questions I hear thrown my way. I step into the dressing room and shut the door behind me, twisting the lock. Walking towards the dressing table I flop down on the dressing chair. Maybe, I am crazy. Maybe I didn’t see him and it was my imagination. I’m exhausted and haven’t been sleeping.
Grabbing my phone from the dressing table I dial Nan’s number, hoping her voice will bring me comfort. She picks up on the third ring and I exhale with relief.
“Hey Nan.”
“Hey baby girl, how was the recital? I’m sorry that I had to miss it, this cold is kicking my behind.” She laughs and my heart warms at the sound. Just hearing her voice calms the storm raging inside me.
“I danced my heart out Nan. I’m calling because I think I may be losing my mind, but I’m not sure anymore. I’m not sure of anything anymore.” My voice cracks with emotion. I feel the tears welling in my eyes. I take a deep breath, trying to keep calm.
“What’s wrong baby?”
“I saw Hale. I know it sounds crazy, I know it does, but I saw him. I looked up and he was right there, staring back at me. God, Nan. I want so much to believe he was really there and it wasn’t my mind playing tricks on me. He looked so much older than when I saw him, his hair was longer, his face was full of stubble like he hadn’t shaved, but his eyes, Nan,” I choke on a sob, the pain in my heart unbearable. “His eyes were so sad, they were full of pain. Nan I saw him, I have to find him. I’ve tried so hard to move on but I can’t. I have to make sure he’s okay.” I say as the tears run down my face, my chest heaving.
“Take a deep breath baby, you need to calm down. I don’t know who you saw Ember, but Hale is dead. I know it hurts, I know it feels consuming sometimes, but you have to be stronger. I think you need to start talking with someone, to get this out of your heart. If you let it, it’ll consume you my beautiful girl.”
“Okay, Nan. I’ll call you later when I’m home. Love you,” I press end, disconnecting the call.
Bringing my knees to my chest, I lean my head against them and take a few breaths. I’ve got this. I’ve come too far to go back now. It must have been my exhaustion, my mind playing tricks on me. Rising, I grab my keys and bag, and head towards the door. A good night’s rest and something for my pounding head is all I need.
I wake up to sunlight streaming through the windows. Wincing, I look over at the alarm clock and see that it’s one in the afternoon. Meaning I’ve been asleep for fifteen hours. Apparently my body needed rest more than I realized. Yesterday still weighing heavy on my mind, I glance at the picture of Hale and I after graduation that sits on my dresser. We looked so happy and carefree. I don’t know if what I saw was real, but my heart feels like it took a devastating hit. Grabbing my phone from the nightstand. I check my text messages from the night before, seeing several from B, a few girls from school and two from Tyler.
Tyler: Still up for that movie?
Tyler: No? Let me down easy then Em ; )
Grinning, I text him back.
Me: Sorry! Rough night, how about tonight? –Em
Tossing my phone next to me, I get out of bed and head towards the bathroom. Jeez, I must’ve taken a serious fall when I fainted because my head is pounding. I take a quick shower then throw my yoga pants and tee on and head downstairs. I don’t hear B in her room so I’m guessing she must be at school. Looking around for my laptop I realize I left my phone upstairs. I start up the stairs, retrieving it from my bed. I plop down and cuddle beneath the covers. Unlocking my phone, I see the message from Tyler:
Tyler: Sure thing babe. Pick you up at 7?
Me: Sounds good, see you then!
That means I have a few hours to read and relax. Hopefully this damn headache will be gone by the time I have to do something with the mop on my head.
I wake up suddenly, my heart pounding out of my chest, my phone ringing loudly right by my ear. I must’ve fallen back asleep while reading. Shit! Tyler! I jump up from the bed, rushing to the bathroom to turn my straightener on. I walk back into my bedroom, pick up my phone and look through all the texts, calls, and voicemails. I dial Blayr back first.
“Hey babe!” Her voice yells through the phone.
“Hey! Where are you? I’ve been sleeping all day, I swear I didn’t even realize I was that tired.” I tell her, looking through my closet for something to wear.
“I’m out with Nashville, we’re going to ride go carts and eat dinner. Whatcha doing tonight?” She asks. Please don’t ask for us to join them. Please please pl-
I hear her pull the phone away then screech, “Why didn’t you tell me you were going out with Tyler tonight! Y’all come with us. It’ll be like a double date!”
“Well, seeing as how I haven’t talked to you since my minor mental breakdown last night and he just texted me this afternoon that would be why. I think we’re just going to see a movie B, I’m not really up for anything more right now.” I sigh, pulling a pair of jeans from the hanger. It’s supposed to be cool tonight and jeans are a step up from the pajamas that I currently want to wear….
“Whatever, tomorrow you’re mine. We need a pedicure, my feet look ridiculous.” I can hear the noise in the background, and Nashville talking close to the phone. Whatever he is saying causes her to giggle.
“Yup, sounds good. Talk to you later!” I press end without her getting another word in. Even though I love her dearly, she can be exhausting.
I lay my clothes out on the bed and head into the bathroom to finish fixing my hair and makeup. Tyler will be here any minute and I’m not even close to being ready. I run and grab my phone to send him a text when the doorbell rings. Groaning, I toss the phone down on my bed and head down the stairs. Grabbing the doorknob, I swing it open. Tyler stands there with a grin, “Well if you want to wear that for our date, I’m not complaining.” I laugh and open the door, letting him inside.
“Sorry! I fell back asleep after texting you and now I’m rushing to get ready. I won’t be long, I promise. Make yourself at home.” I tell him, gesturing to the living room.
“No worries, we can always make a later movie. Or we could just stay in and watch one?” He asks.
“No it’s fine, just give me like ten minutes.” I turn and dash up the stairs, quickly making it to my room. I throw my clothes on, run the straightener over my hair, throw a little makeup on and brush my teeth. Good thing I’m not a high maintenance girl or we would not be making the seven thirty movie. Grabbing my purse, I turn the lights out and head downstairs. I find Tyler right where I left him, playing a game on his phone.
“Ready?” I call from the foyer, grabbing my keys from the hook.
“Yup, let’s go beautiful.” He replies, opening the front door and holding his arm out, gesturing for me to go. “Ladies first,” he says, winking. I lock up and we walk to the car. The weather is perfect. Not too cold, not too warm, and little humidity. My hair might actually look normal for once. Shocker.
We get to the box office with five minute to spare. “We have to hurry the previews are my favorite,” I say to him, grabbing his hand, pulling him towards the snacks.
“God, my ass getting fat is so worth the chocolate covered peanuts. I swear,” I tell him as I look at the candy counter. “So worth it,” I laugh, telling the cashier what I want then handing over my debit card.
“I highly doubt anyone complains about the size of your ass Em, probably just the opposite.” Looking downwards he smirks.
“Okay, moving on. Let’s go. I love scary movies, I’m so excited!” I tell him as we walk towards the theatre.
We make it into the theatre as the previews begin to roll and take our seats. He reaches for my hand and takes it, running his thumb back forth over the soft skin. I look down at our hands andthen at him, but make no move to pull away. This, I’m okay with. I can take baby steps, right? I feel like the past few days have been a move in the right direction, but last night knocked me a few steps back. I can’t decipher between what was real and what I imagined. It felt real and my heart aches for Hale.
The movie passes relatively quickly it seems. I jump a few times and hear Tyler laugh under his breath. I elbow him huffing, “Not funny, ass, I just don’t like things jumping out at me!”
Right, he mouths right back, his handsome face tipping up in a grin.
After the movie we head to meet B and Nash for dinner at the diner. Apparently Nash texted Tyler asking if we wanted to meet up. I’m going to kill Blayr. This is hard enough for me, without having an audience.
We arrive at the diner and he walks to the other side of the car to open my door and holds out his hand. I grasp it, stepping out. We walk into the diner and spot them right by the door.
“Hey y’all!” B says, looking up from her menu.
I give her the look. The look that says I’m not talking to you for at least a day. She just smirks. The bitch.
“Have y’all ordered?” Tyler asks.
“Nope, this one can’t make up her mind to save her life,” Nash gestures towards B.
The waitress arrives and we all put in our order, including a very large margarita for yours truly. It has been hell the past few days and I want to unwind.
Interrupting my thoughts, B says,” How about we go out after this? I’m in the mood to dance!” As soon as the words leave her mouth, I’m saying “No thanks. I’m still not feeling a hundred percent. I think I’m going to go visit Nan. Maybe watch a movie with her or something.”
Our food arrives, breaking the awkward silence that has settled at the table and we all dig in. I clear my plate, apparently starving. With everything that’s been going on, eating is the last thing on my mind. Tyler pays for my dinner and we walk to the car. He opens my door, helps me in and then lets himself in.
“Where does your Nan live? I don’t mind dropping you off,” he says softly, as if he’s testing the waters. He probably thinks I’m mentally ill with the hot and cold routine. I sigh, “It’s just been a really rough few weeks Tyler, I’m sorry. I’m battling some demons and depending on the day, I’m losing. I lost someone that meant more than anything to me and I’m still struggling. I’m not ready for a boyfriend. I’m just looking for friendship. Can we be friends?” I say as sincerely as I can.
“Of course Em, I’m not trying to push you. I would love to be your friend,” he says and my body visibly relaxes. I don’t want to lose his friendship, but he has to know that I can’t offer him anything more than that.
He drops me off at home so I can drive my own car. He even walks me to the front door and I feel a pang of guilt in my stomach. I feel bad for not being able to be what he needs, but still grateful he isn’t bitter. “I’ll see you soon?” I whisper to him, pulling him to me for a hug, “Thanks, Ty.” I kiss his cheek and unlock the door, stepping inside. I run upstairs and pack a small overnight bag to bring to Nan’s. I head back downstairs and grab my keys and lock up. Throwing my bag in the backseat, I get inside and crank the radio up to drown out the thoughts running through my head.
I pull up at Nan’s and cut my car off. Staring at Hale’s house sitting dark and quiet. I decide to go look around and see if it seems like anyone has been there. Granted, I think Nan would have told me if she saw someone, but I just can’t shake the feeling that I’m missing something– that the big picture is so much bigger than I realized.
Leaving my bag and keys on the hood of my car, I use my cellphones flashlight to guide the way. It’s dark and creepy, but I need to do this for some peace of mind. I tiptoe up the stairs and try to peer inside the window next to the front door. My flashlight causes a glare on the window and I see the curtains are pulled closed. Hearing a noise I whip around, my flashlight shining in front of me. I see nothing, so I head around to the shop where Hale used to work on the Camaro. Walking to the door, I step inside and see a dim light hanging above the Camaro.
My jaw hits the ground, and my heart beats out of my chest. There stands Hale Jarreau, wrench in hand, staring right back at me.
Hale
I heard her the second she drove up. I know her better than she probably knows herself. I can predict her next move before she even decides on it and I knew it wouldn’t be long before she ended up here. It was a mistake going to the club that night and it was a mistake showing up at the Harvest Festival. I knew that when I did it, but I couldn’t stay away. That’s me, a glutton for punishment.
I moved back into Dad’s house a few days ago, but I’ve been doing my best to keep quiet and not draw attention. I’m not ready for the whole town to be in my business– not that I ever will be. We stand there in a silent stare off, neither of us wanting to break the moment. I take a moment to appreciate her body, one that my body aches for every night in my dreams. My hands itch to run down her body, my dick jerking against my zipper when I see how she’s filled out since I’ve been gone. I hate to see the pain in her eyes and know that I’ve caused it. I hate knowing she will hate me as soon as I open my mouth, but I also know it’s what’s right. I can’t be the person to take all the good away from her. Her hair is long now, almost to her ass. Her perfect heart shaped ass that sits in those jeans begging for my touch.
“Hey Ember,” I say, my eyes never leaving her.
She raises her hand to her mouth to try to stop the sob that escapes. Her whole body begins shaking and the sight destroys me.
“A-a-ar-e yyo-uu real?” she stutters, barely able to form her words. “I can’t be dreaming. You have to be here.” Always my Sweet Girl.
I drop the wrench onto the work bench and pick up the old rag that sits on the car.
My mind is fighting a war with my heart, and my body, not knowing who to listen to, stays stuck in place. I want to comfort her, hold her and tell her it’ll all be all right, but I can’t open that door. I can’t let her think I can be that person. I’m not the person she used to know.
“No one knows I’m here Ember, you can’t tell anyone. I just want everyone to leave me in peace.” My voice is low and scratchy with emotion, strangled at best.
She moves towards me slowly, taking hesitant steps, and for each step she takes, I take a step back. “Hale, you’re alive! I can’t even believe you’re standing here in front of me! Do you know how many nights I cried myself to sleep? How many times I begged God to take me instead of you? Do you know what my life has been like? I need to touch you, please let me touch you. I don’t understand, why are you doing this to me?” She sounds close to hysteria.
I know why she feels that way and God I wish I didn’t have to be the one to make my Sweet Girl hurt, but that’s the point. I am poison and I will do nothing but hurt her, destroy her. I love her enough to let her go; to give her what she would never ask of me. If hurting her makes her move on then I have to do it, even if it kills me in the process.
“Ember, I’m only going to say this once. I am not the boy you used to know. You need to turn around and walk right back out of that door. Turn around, walk back to your car and go home. Don’t come back here. I know you don’t understand that and I’m sorry, but I promise it is what’s best for you. Forget about me and move on with your life. I know life has dealt you a shitty hand, but you need to move forward and be happy. I made a mistake showing up at the club and a bigger one showing my face at the recital. That’s what it was, a mistake.” I see the hurt on her face. It’s cruel, but if it’s the only way to get her to leave then so be it.
“How can you do this to me?” She screams, picking up an old tool and throwing it at me. “How could you stand there and say those things to me after I mourned you? I have lived the past three years in a constant state of heartache mourning you. And you tell me to forget about you? To move on? Are you fucking insane, Hale Jarreau!? You’ve lost your fucking mind! They told me you were DEAD, Hale! DEAD. I wept on your casket before they lowered you into the ground. How are you standing here?”
I see another tool flying towards me so I duck, the pliers barely missing my forehead.
“Stop it, Ember Ann. Stop it right now! Fuck! Stop! This is the way that it’s going to be and you best accept it, do you hear me? I’m not fucking playing, Ember. Do you want to know what I’VE been through?” I yell at her, hitting my chest. “Do you think it was a walk in the park? My entire squad was killed. I watched them blown to pieces in front of me while I was gagged and forced to my knees to watch! MY brothers! The only family I’ve ever known! You don’t know what the fuck I have been through! You were the only thing that kept me alive Ember. The only thing that kept me breathing in breath after breath, but you know what? You buried your love in that coffin and that’s where he’s going to stay. I’m not that man anymore and I hope you realize it. The shit I’ve seen, the shit I’ve been through, it changed me. I’m sorry it hurts you, I truly am, but I am not the man that you knew. I’m sorry.” I whisper the last words, trying to get my breathing under control. She sinks to the floor in front of me, her body shaking with sobs.
“I can’t believe you’re here. God, Hale I love you! I love you so fucking much. How can you say this to me? It feels like I’m losing you all over again. Why are you torturing me this way? What did I do to deserve this heartbreak over and over?” Her chest heaves with every word. I’m worried if she keeps on she’s going to be sick.
“Ember, pick the phone up and call Blayr. Tell her you need her and go home. I want you to take these pieces I have already left behind and put them back together. I want you to go to school, finish your dancing and find a man to make you happy. I am not that man, Ember. I am not him. I’m sorry. Things have changed and you have to understand that. I will destroy you. I will be like poison in your veins. I’m fucked up. My heart is black and cold. I’m sorry.”
Wiping her nose and face on the back of her hand, she looks at me. “You know what, Hale? You can tell me your heart is black and cold, but I know that’s a lie. I have loved you my entire life. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I loved you with a love so deep and fierce that it consumed me. It consumes me every day. I’m listening to all that you’re telling me, but I don’t believe a word coming out of your fucking mouth. I don’t know how you can sit here and tell me that you don’t love me anymore. It’s bullshit. I have loved you through it all, even DEATH! I am still here, fighting for you. I will always fight for you. I’ll take on the entire world if it means it’ll save you. I’ll even take on you. I won’t let you do this to yourself. So you sit here, you work on your cars, and I’ll go back to my house. But don’t you think for a fucking second that I’ll forget you and move on. I love you. I loved you when I was six years old, I loved you when I thought you were buried in the ground, and I’ll love you even if you won’t love me back. I’ll love you even when you don’t love yourself. Push me away all you want, but I’ll fight for you till MY last breath. Until I am dead in that ground.”
With those last words my black heart crumbles into pieces. I thought there was nothing left inside me but revenge, hate and vengeance, but there she is. In the deepest, darkest part of my heart, refusing to let go.
Standing up from the floor she turns on her heel and walks toward the door, grabbing the handle. She stands there, pausing briefly and turns around. “I’m going to walk away right now, Hale, but I won’t give up on you. This isn’t the end. I’ve survived the last three years without you, I’ll survive this. I’m so disappointed and heartbroken right now. It may be true that you aren’t the same person you used to be, but you will always be the man that I love. The man that held me when I fell out of a tree and broke my arm; the man that wiped my tears and kissed all my hurt away when my life was falling apart around me. I can’t forget that Hale. I can’t forget those moments and it’s cruel for you to ask me to try.” Opening the door, she slams it shut behind her, and she’s gone.
