Page 40 of When You Were Mine

I have to clean everything up.

But I’ll be back, and I’ll make it right.

I will fix this.

The moment he turned away the door slammed so hard it jarred his bones. He knew, if she had her way, she’d never talk to him again.

But she wouldn’t have her way. She was his other half, woven into the fabric of his soul.

He’d lost her—and that was one-hundred-percent his fault. But now, by some crazy miracle, their paths had crossed.

He finally had a shot to win her back

He wouldn’t blow it.

Chapter Six

Trevor burst into the room. “Darby?”When she didn’t answer, he checked the bathroom.Dammit.She wasn’t there.

You’ve got to calm down.Jamming his hands into his pockets, he gazed out the window at the black-sand beach. As daybreak neared, a fiery ring of orange around the horizon was capped by a crown of midnight. It was stunning. Unlike anything he’d ever seen.

And yet… He couldn’t focus on it. Rattled, he held his hand out in front of him, watching it tremble.

Why did you come on so strong?He dropped to a crouch, lowered his head, and jammed his fingers through his hair, remembering how he’d kicked her door.Jesus.

I’m out of control.

But she’s here. My Elzy is right fucking here.

Hehadto talk to her. They’d never hashed anything out.

Wind whistled through the window, and he stood up. He needed a plan.

“Were you thinking about me when you had a son two years after we eloped?”

He should’ve answered her. He should’ve said, “Yes. Hell, yes. I never stopped thinking about you.”

He should’ve reminded her that hehadcome home. He’d bought a plane ticket the very first break he’d gotten from filming. He’d tried to talk to her, but she’d blown him off.

The second time, though… She didn’t know about that one. He’d had money in the bank. He was ready. He’d planned on winning her back.

He would never forget that feeling, the happiness… the anticipation… the fuckinghope. He’d been soaring because he’d be with her again. The gnawing pain would finally end.

Even before getting on the plane, he’d felt the relief of being in her arms. Having her back, skin to skin, mouth to mouth. Making him feel whole.

The pride that he’d finally gotten a paycheck and could deposit money in her dad’s account. That he had enough money to buy their freedom.

He remembered—clear as day—the moment he’d headed out of his apartment. He could still feel the cold plastic handle of his suitcase in his hand. He’d done a quick check for his ticket, his wallet, and the gifts he was bringing—a Nessie stuffed animal for her niece, shortbread cookies for Elzy’s dad who had a sweet tooth, and luxury bath products he’d found in a shop on the Isle of Arran for her sisters.

But just as he’d stepped out of the door, his phone had rung. Back then, it had been a landline. He’d had plenty of time to get to the airport, so he’d gone back in to answer. Just in case. The studio still owned him, after all.

Remembering the news he’d gotten still had the power to shock his nervous system.

He’d had no choice but to miss his flight.

With the turn his life had taken, he couldn’t go get his Elzy. He had a new priority.

He had a son.

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