Page 12 of Adoring Delaney

“I’m not holding back,” I protested. “I’ve never done this. I’m muddling my way through it.”

“Look at me, babe.”

“I am.”

And I was. I was looking right into his eyes and I didn’t like what they said.

“Really look at me. I’ve waited two years for you to agree to go out with me. And I gotta tell you, every time you shot me down, it was a hit to my ego, but I kept at it, because I knew once I finally got my shot it’d be worth it. But you’re not ready. I don’t know what the sadness inside of you is and I hope one day you’ll tell me. Until then, I think we need to step back. School’s out, you have adventures planned, and I’m teaching summer school. So we knew us seeing each other for the next few months would be difficult.”

“Are you breaking up with me?” I whispered.

“I’m telling you to take the summer, find whatever it is you need. When you get back, if you’ve found you’re ready, then we pick back up. I like you, Delaney. But I’m also the kind of man who knows himself and I will not be someone’s second choice.”

My heart clenched.

“You’re not that.”

“I think you believe that. But what I just saw, what I felt, I know that I am.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You can’t help who you were meant to love. It’s gonna suck if I’m not that man. But I know the only way to find out if what we have is as good as I think it can be, is to let you go.”

I felt wet hit my eyes and Steve pulled me into his arms. I wrapped mine around his back and held on tight.

What the hell had I done?

“Do you want to go? Or would you like me to leave and you can stay?” he whispered against the top of my head.

Before I could answer I heard my mom speak. “Sorry to interrupt. Liberty’s here.”

I pulled away and turned to my mom. “What? Liberty’s home?”

The excitement of my cousin being home made me forget all about the drama that was playing out. I hadn’t seen Liberty in a long time, maybe two years—being stationed in Germany she never had time to make the long journey home. And I’d been a shit cousin and not gone to see her.

I looked back at Steve. “Stay.”

He nodded his agreement and suddenly with all of the messy relationship stuff swirling around us out of the way, I felt a hundred times lighter. Screw Carter and his macho bullshit. Steve was a good guy and a friend. I wouldn’t allow him to run me off. I’d known there would be times I’d have to see him. Nothing like ripping the Band-Aid off and getting it over with.

Besides, he’d be gone tomorrow. Back to his life in Virginia and I’d be left to mine in Georgia.

“Mom, this is Steve Deaton. Steve, this is my mom Emily.”

“Mrs. Walker, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Steve smiled, and offered my mom his hand.

Such a nice guy.

“Nice to meet you, Steve, and please call me Emily.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

They shook hands and my mom laughed.

If I look as beautiful as my mother when I’m in my fifties, I’d consider myself blessed. All of my siblings had my mom’s dark hair, but only my brother Jason and I got Mom’s blue eyes. Quinn and the twins inherited my dad’s green. I’d been told my whole life I was a spitting image of my mom, whereas my sisters favored my dad.

I didn’t think so, seeing as my mother was stunning, and I’d considered myself average. But I’d take the compliment and pray I aged as gracefully as she did.

“You can’t help yourself, can you?” Mom asked Steve.

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