Page 22 of Hollywood Fairytale

“Beautiful.”My lips pressed against the top of her head as she cried into my shirt, clutching me to her. “You’re breaking my heart.”

The moment Alex woke up and found me up on an elbow watching her sleep, her eyes instantly filled with tears. She’d held them back as I made love to her one last time before it was time to head to the airport, but after dropping Mason off at school she finally broke down and let them flow.

For months I’d encouraged Alex that she was safe to cry in front of me, but this time I was the cause. Not because a childhood friend had died, or she was telling me about her parents. It killed me to know that I was the root of her pain.

If it were up to me, I’d never leave her. I’d take her with me or stay in Fairlane, but I had obligations that I had to fulfill, and she had to stay here with Mason.

Fuck she was killing me with her endless tears and sobs.

With how upset she was, I wasn’t sure if Alex would be able to drive herself home after dropping me off. If there would have been someone to drive her home I would have suggested it. Sadly, Ryan had stopped communication with her all together and Taylor was in Florida. I had a feeling she would need her friends over the next few months. At least Taylor would do her best to perform her best friend duties no matter how far away she was. Perhaps once I got inside, I’d send her a message to call Alex.

Running my hand over her hair and down back one last time, I nuzzled my face into the top of her head and breathed her in. She smelled like her coconut shampoo. Like the beach on our trip to Mexico. I may love the colder temperatures, but Alex had made me a beach lover because she always smelled of the coconuts and our amazing trip where she finally told me she loved me. It was sappy, but I didn’t care. I’d been waiting to hear those words from her. Someday I’d take her to all the beaches she’d ever dreamed about and if I was lucky a few of them would be clothing optional.

“Hey, beautiful.” Kissing her hair, I straightened up and pulled back. “Can you look at me?”

Big blue eyes, heavy with sadness and tears stared back at me causing my heart to painfully twist inside my chest. I’d wanted to be strong for her but separating from her was killing me just as much. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold myself together.

“I hate to say this, but I have to go. Are you going to be okay?”

Her lips trembled until she sucked her lower lip in and bit down on it. “No.” She choked out.

“Hey.” I tried to comfort her as best I could in the small confines of the car. “We’re still going to talk and FaceTime every day. Honey, this isn’t goodbye. It’ll be no time until you and Mason come to visit me for spring break.” Cupping her face in both my hands, I swept her tears away with the pads of my thumbs. Even tear streaked she was beautiful. Leaning down, I brushed my lips across her soft mouth. My heart cracked a little bit more with the taste of her tears on her lips.

My eyes closed as I rested my forehead to hers. “I love you. More than you know. More than anything. We’ll make it through this. I promise.”

Even knowing that Alex loved me, I couldn't help but doubt that the long distance and months away from each other would create a rift between us. Time and distance were no friend to even the strongest of relationships and although we were strong, we were also new.

“I know,” she murmured against my lips, her arms wrapping around me, holding me tighter. “I love you so fucking much it hurts.”

“I know, Alex. I know.” Because I felt it too.

Her hand drifted, cupping my neck, pulling me to her. It was possessive and desperate at the same time. Fuck, this was going to be much harder than I thought. But I knew I needed to be strong for her.

“I love you,” I whispered into her mouth.

“I love you.” She barely managed to sob out before her lips crashed into mine. Winding her arms around my neck, she pulled me even closer. When my tongue slipped inside for one last taste we both moaned, knowing it had to end.

Getting out, the cold January air sobered us up as we stood beside the SUV taking each other in for the last time. The next two months were going to be the longest of my life. Even knowing I'd be busy shooting, I knew missing Alex would be at the forefront of my mind each and every day.

Taking the one step that separated us, I pulled her into my arms for one last hug. Her arms wrapped around me so tightly, not wanting to let go. Neither did I. This was where I belonged. Alex was my home and I was leaving her. I couldn't fight the tears that blurred my vision any longer. Burying my head into her neck, I breathed in her coconut scent one last time before pulling away. It had to be now or never.

“I'll call you the moment I get home, okay?” My voice broke on the last word causing Alex’s head to whip up in a look of shock. “This is just as hard on me as it is you. I'm going to miss you like crazy and I love you so much.”

“So much.” She barely got out before more tears started to stream down her already tear stained cheeks.

Taking a step back, I grabbed my luggage. “I gotta go.”

Nodding her head, Alex watched me go from her spot on the sidewalk. It wasn't a big airport so there weren't any workers or overhead announcements saying she had to leave or that parking was for loading and unloading. Instead, everyone took their time as they said their goodbyes and moved inside.

“I love you!” Alex called out the moment the doors opened for me and a gust of warm air hit me. Turning to look at her, I let a tear break free as I saw her slumped against the car door watching me bleakly.

My mouth ran dry at seeing her pain, but I pushed past it to tell her how much I loved her too. Then without looking back, I strode into the airport before I said fuck it all and never left Alex’s side.

11

Pullingup in front of Decker’s house, the house I’d lived in for over a decade, I took in a deep breath. With twenty minutes until I was supposed to pick up Mason at his grandparents’ house, my ex-husband sent me a text informing me I was to pick up my son at his house instead.

Getting out of the car, I looked around and noticed that the yard looked neglected and there were no lights on in the house. I took in a deep breath and slowly let it out before I rang the doorbell. It had been awhile since I last laid eyes on my ex-husband. Usually I picked Mason up at his grandparents’ house, which I preferred.

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