Page 6 of When You Were Mine

“Eighteen hundred dollars round trip.”

“Trevor, no. That’s for my sister.” She reeled away from him. “If you take it, how am I supposed to pay for everything she’s going to need? A crib, diapers, formula…You can’t do this. It isn’t fair.”

“Elz, I love you more than anything in this world, but you’re thinking about right now. And I get it. You’ve been a mother to your sisters since you were eight years old. Yeah, that money can buy you diapers and formula, but how long will it last? Once we run out of it, then what? Then, you’re back to working at the feedstore, and I’m working on my dad’s farm.”

It might make sense if this movie were going to be a blockbuster. But a clan war movie? With a budget so low the actors didn’t get paid?Come on. “That baby will be here in five months.”

“Yeah, I know. And we can get your sister a crib and a baby monitor, but this movie might lead to buying her a house and putting her kid through college. I’m willing to take a bet that has the potential to solve all our financial problems.”

“Do you hear yourself? You’re talking about gambling away the money I need for a baby.” She could not believe this.

“The only thing that baby needs besides love is medical care which she’ll get from the county clinic just like we did. All the stuff you want to buy is in your head. The baby doesn’t need a fancy crib or highchair. And you know what? I’m not willing to sell out our goals because of your sister’s mistake.”

She reared back. Her stomach twisted into a knot. For the first time, they stood on opposite sides of a divide. “Thatmistakeis my niece or nephew.”Calm down. They’d always worked through their problems. They’d do it this time too. She had to remember he didn’t have siblings. “I’m trying to understand your point of view… but this is mysister. And I get that you want to set up our future, but I don’t know what that’s going to look like if we don’t take care of our families right now when they need us the most.”

“If I walk away from this film and move back to Riverton, there won’t be any more opportunities. Ever.”

She hated to hurt him, but it needed to be said. “This is not an opportunity, Trevor. And guess what? There’s no higher value than taking care of my sister, and if you insist on pursuing thisdream, then you better understand that it’s no longerourdream. It’s yours. This is where our path splits.”

Shock ripped across his handsome features. “What’re you talking about? There’s nothing more important than us.” In one step, he was right in front of her. He grabbed her arms. “You and me, we’rehome.”

“You’re hanging on to some idea we came up with when we were kids, and I’m sorry, but reality’s hit, and we need to be there for our family—” Awareness struck, and she wrenched out of his grip. “Sorry,myfamily. I thought we were in this together, but I can see we’re not.”

“Yes, we fucking are, and don’t try to make me out to be selfish. The only thing I care about—theonlything that drives me—is getting us the life we want. And we can’t do that until both our families are safe and secure. And that includes your sister.Mysister. We’re married, remember?”

She knew him. Their bond was solid. Their love had no beginning and no end. Yes, she was shaking like a leaf in the wind, but she looked him right in the eyes, knowing with absolute certainty he’d make the right decision. “If you go through with this, then there is no us.”

He snagged his T-shirt off the bed and threw it on. “You’re the only woman in the world for me, and I wouldn’t put our relationship in jeopardy for any reason other than to get us where we need to be. You have to trust that I’m going to make all our lives better.” He started toward her—like he might hug or kiss her goodbye—but she glared at him.

Ignoring her defiance, he kissed her cheek. And then, he headed for the door.

He was leaving.

He was going to walk out on her.

This is impossible.

It didn’t make sense.

“Trevor…” But her mind went blank. She knew that look of resolve. “You can’t leave me.”

“No, I can’t. So, you know I’ll be back.”

“What if I don’t wait for you?”

His eyes widened, and his voice went tight with emotion. “You have to. It’s us. You and me.” He held up his ring finger. “Forever.”

“Not if you walk out that door.”

“I have one shot, Elzy. One. And I’m going to take it.” He threw open the door and stepped onto the concrete walkway. “I’ll get a side job in a bar in town, and since my room and board is free, I’ll send you every paycheck.”

And then, he was gone.

She stood in the middle of the motel room, her skin bristling with static electricity.

Is this real? He’ll come back, right?He has to.

She stood there while the fear spread like poison, until it hollowed her out. And when her legs could no longer support her, she sat on the edge of the mattress.

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