Page 10 of Finally, Our Forever

I watch the dot, dot, dots at the bottom of the screen, waiting for a reply that doesn’t come. Tossing my phone on the bed beside me, I fling my head back against my pillow, pull the other pillow over my face and scream. What the hell am I doing? I pull the pillow off my face knowing I need to get back to reality. I have no business giving into an old fantasy.

Seconds after I close my eyes, James Arthur begins singing “Say You Won’t Let Go.” He wouldn’t be calling me this late, would he? Opening my eyes, I glance at the screen and see that it’s Reece. Fuck. Can I handle whatever he’s going to say? I laid my bruised heart to rest years ago, do I really want to dig it up where there’s a chance it could get damaged again?

“Hello.” I answer.

“When I left for school, I realized I was falling for you. I knew you were too young for me, and that I was going away to school, so we would never see each other. When I was at school, I missed you so damn much, but I knew I couldn’t have you, and it pissed me off. I dated girls, but they never compared to you, which pissed me off too. When I saw you that day, it was so good to be able to talk to you and laugh with you like we used to. I was done with school, and you were finally old enough, but I was leaving for the Marines. What was the point in starting anything with you? I figured it would be best to just push you away instead of giving you hope for a relationship that wouldn’t be able to start. Who knew when I would be home again? Who knew if I’d be home again?

“I regretted it as I drove away, but I thought it was the best I could give you. I never had a date that night. I thought about you all the time while I was gone. I wrote you hundreds of letters that ended up in the trash. I figured what I wanted to say would be best said in person. When I finally came back, I was determined to make it right, but you were married. I missed my chance with you.”

“You hurt me that day. Made me feel smaller than small.”

“I’m so sorry, baby.”

Every time he calls me ‘baby,’ I feel it down deep in my core. He is so fucking sexy. I bet he’s got some damn fine muscles under his tight t-shirts. I would lick those muscles, every single one. Shiiit.

“You there, baby?”

“You shouldn’t call me that.”

“What?”

“Baby.”

“And why is that?”

Fuck it, why not? He’s hot, and I haven’t wanted anyone in a long ass time. He’s also the guy who broke my teenage heart. Screw that noise, he told me why he said that stuff, not that I’ve decided to forgive him for it, but it makes sense.

“It makes me feel things.”

“What kinds of things, baby?”

“Makes me want things I shouldn’t.”

“You definitely should want those things.”

Frustrated, I let out a sigh. “What are we doing here, Reece?”

“We are doing what we should have done eight years ago. Baby, I want you, all of you. Those feelings never went away for me. Not sure how you’re feeling, but I’m hoping it’s at least a little bit of what I am.”

“And if I am?”

“You were so sexy today, baby. I didn’t like those jeans, though. Please don’t wear them again.”

“Why? I love those jeans.”

“I don’t like the idea of men seeing what’s meant to be mine.”

“Yours?”

“Oh, you’re mine, baby. I’m just giving you time to come around to that.”

This is just too much. It’s been a weird day, and I’m too tired to be having this conversation.

“I’m going to sleep.”

He laughs. Damn, is everything this man does sexy? “Night, baby. Call me in the morning.” I hang up. I can’t believe I told him all of that.

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