Page 75 of Timeless

“Let me talk to Amber.” I was calmer now. I had come falling down to earth and faceplanted on the ground. My emotions were slowly getting back in line. My panic was easing. And the pain that I was experiencing at the thought of possibly losing her was calming down. I realized what I had said, and I didn’t need Tae to tell me parts of Amber’s history to prove to me that she wasn’t selfish. “Move, Tae.”

“Nah, Jackson. You don’t get another chance. I’m taking Amber. I’m collecting Jack. And I’m taking care of them. You made what you think of Amber clear.”

“Move, Tae,” I repeated.

Tae looked over his shoulder. “Get in the car now, Amber.” And he looked back at me. “I’ve always loved her. But I’ve always respected that she has this need for you. You’ve always come first. But I think that connection she had to you, that need for you…” Tae took a step closer, with a pleased smirk on his face. “You just cut it. By doing what you do best. Breaking her heart again. You just insulted her to a point I can’t see her forgiving you.”

I caught movement out the corner of my eye. Amber was actually heading to the car. She was listening to him! I stepped around Tae, and he was quick to push me back.

“Do something you should have done six years ago. Let her go.”

“Amber!” I yelled after her but she kept walking.

I went to go for her again but Tae wouldn’t get the fuck out of my way.

“Amber, come back!” I fucking pushed Tae so hard, he was out of my way. I watched her go to open the car door. “Amber!”

I should have kept my mouth shut. She had to realize I was panicking. I was hurting. I didn’t mean it.

“Amber.” I gripped the door she was about to close.

She wouldn’t look up at me but let go of the door, as if she knew fighting to close it was pointless. I lowered to her level.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t fucking mean it. I was hurting. I just….” I swallowed sharply “You scared me. Don’t you understand? You scared me.”

“You only said the truth.” Her words were low, and her eyes were glue to the carpet of the floor of the car. “You were right. I am selfish.”

“Amber. Ignore what I said.”

“I kept you out of Jack’s life for six years. I kept you looking for me for six years. I made my brothers search for me for six years. I am selfish.” I could hear the tears in her voice. It was like my words had broken her. How was that possible? She had overcome everything else.

“You aren’t. I didn’t mean it, Amber. Please listen to me.” I knew within minutes Tae was going to be driving this car away, taking Amber out of my life.

I just got her back. Didn’t she realize that was what scared me so much? Losing her!

My hand went over hers, which were on her lap. “I was just upset. That was it. I didn’t mean it.” Okay, I need to stop this from happening, I felt the grip I had on her slipping. I held her hand tighter. “Please don’t leave.”

She looked at me. Her eyes were red, her face was pale. “I’m not.”

“You aren’t going to England?”

“No, Jax.”

I didn’t believe her. My words had hurt her. It was fucking obvious. No wonder. Look at what I said to her!

“I really didn’t mean what I said, Amber. I was just…”

“I get it, Jax. I put you in an awful position.” She was being logical with me. She was making excuses for me. “I’m sorry for doing that.”

I frowned. I was the one who should be sorry. Sighing, “Can we start fresh? Forget the last hour?”

Would she do that? Would she forget every mean word I said to her? Could she do that? I wouldn’t be so fucking lucky.

Amber leaned her head back against the headrest. “I would really like to forget the last three hours.” She turned to look at me. “You can stop looking so worried, Jax, I’m not leaving.”

I took my hand off hers and gently cupped her face. “You have never been selfish.” I wanted to take back every word I said. But I knew the damage was done. It was clear on her face. “How can I make it up to you? Just tell me what to say and do?” I swallowed sharply, I was in over my head. I didn’t know how to fix what I had just done to her.

“Nothing.”

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