Page 102 of Savage Keepsakes

“I was mistaken. You possess all of me. You own every single fibre of my being. I’ll never forget everything we’ve said and done, but I can’t be here anymore.”

“What will I do without you?”

I do everything in my power to smile, but it’s futile. “Become a bestselling author, live a life full of light and sunshine. You’ll do it all and be amazing at it. I’m too dark. I’ll never be able to give you the future you deserve.”

“I don’t get a say?” she asks.

“Wanna be a prison wife to the guy who psychologically tortured families across the country?”

Her gaze doesn’t meet mine, and the sheer thought of our future is nothing I wish for her.

“No, you don’t get a say, Lou.”

“Why does everyone leave me? What’s wrong with me that everyone fucking leaves?” Her eyes are red and I stroke away the tears from her cheeks.

“Nothing, darlin’. You’re perfect. Don’t ever fucking let anyone make you feel different.”

I pull away from her, stepping into the hall. I grab my bag and choke back my emotions, unsure of how to handle this unfamiliar feeling.

Sensing the warmth of her body against mine, I draw her in, her arms encircling my waist. If I could become someone else for her, I would, but it’s not in the cards for me.

“I love you, Lou, forever.” I pull her hands away from my shirt and back away toward the stairs.

Tears roll down her face, and mine struggle to stay in.

“Love you always, and fuck you,” she screams at me, and as much as I want to comfort her, I know it’s my time to go.

As I make my way to the front door, her heartbreaking sobs serve as a haunting farewell.

I reach the Cruze and feel the weight of her shattered heart pressing down on me.

Twenty-Six

Lucy

It’s been almost a week since Billy left, and I haven’t moved from my bed much, wrapped in sheets that smell faintly like him.

The ache inside my chest must be my heart dying, because there isn’t any other way to describe what it could be. The energy to feel anything is gone.

I want to be furious at his decision, like he made a choice for us without considering our partnership. I’ve drowned in my own tears for days, and there is nothing left inside of me to pour out.

When the end of the relationship with Miles happened, I was already a foot out the door. He was an awful human, and my parents dying, well, that was a blessing in disguise.

There is no hope in these dark storm clouds gripping me to be considered a silver lining.

How the fuck can your soul physically hurt when it’s a breakup? It’s as if my body is ignoring the newsand shattering my heart into pieces as my chest squeezes around the rejected organ.

Loud bangs on the front door reverberate through the house. I never noticed how much sound echoes through the space until I was the only one here.

The person is persistent, and I grumble while peeling myself out of bed. Grabbing a blanket, I drape it over my shoulders and pad down the stairs.

Dizziness catches me off guard, and I trail my hand along the wall as I go. The railing we never got around to putting up reminds me of the plans. All the rooms now hold memories which shatter my heart.

The ache of missing someone shouldn’t feel so overwhelming, and yet his absence permeates every corner like a ghostly presence.

I open the door. JoJo stands on the other side wearing yoga pants and an oversized sweater. She holds several reusable bags in her hands. I nudge the screen and she gives me a small smile.

Passing by me, she walks to the kitchen and puts her sacks on the counter. I lean against the wall and watch her put things away, laying out different treats and ingredients as if food will patch my heart back together.

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