Page 113 of Text Me Baby One More Time

He hoots in laughter. “Oh wow, man. That’s ballsy considering all the trouble you’re already in. What a dumbass.”

“I don’t need a talking to, Joe. I need help out.”

“Where are you?”

“If you go out of the room through the main door and make a left, we’re down at the end in the small storage closet.”

“Give me five.”

He ends the call.

“Is he going to help?”

“Yes, but it’s going to come with a price.”

She gives me a lopsided grin. “Was it worth it?”

I want to toss a witty comeback at her, a saucy grin, something flirtatious and fun and light—but I can’t.

There’s something that’s bugging me more than I’d like to admit, and if Denny and I are going to have a future together, I need to start bucking the fuck up and talking to her about my insecurities—the same ones that drove me away from her all those years ago.

“I don’t know, you tell me, Ms. It’s Not As Good As I Imagined.”

She ducks her head, and I can tell the reality of what we just did is hitting her for the first time.

I make my way over, wrapping an arm around her waist and drawing her close. Gently, I place two fingers under her chin and bring her face up to mine.

Her cheeks are still flushed from her orgasm, a sheen of sweat still covers her forehead, and even her makeup is looking like it has seen better days.

She’s still so fucking beautiful though.

“Did you mean it?” she whispers.

“More than anything.”

“I want to believe you.”

“Then do.”

She sighs, closing her eyes against my stare. “I’ve heard you say that before, Shep. I’ve heard you tell me you mean it then in the end, you didn’t.”

“I’ve always meant it, Den, even then. Even when I pushed you away, I meant it.”

“Then why?” She drops her head to my chest. “Why couldn’t we be together?”

I press a gentle kiss to her temple. “Because I’m a fucking pussy when it comes to love. I’m petrified to have my heart broken. I don’t want to experience that same earth-shattering pain my mom felt when my dad died. So, I run and I hide and I push people away, especially the people who mean the most to me.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Shep. I never planned to go anywhere.”

“I know that now.”

“I can’t do this with you again if all you’re going to do is break my heart.”

For a moment, just one single moment, Zach and Delia flit through my mind, but I push them away.

I pull Denny’s face back up to mine, forcing her to look me in the eyes.

“I won’t.”

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