Page 81 of Beautifully Broken Pieces
She tried to extricate herself from my arms, but I held firm. “I was not jealous. Now, will you please let me go? I’m trying to finish lunch.”
I dropped my arms. “What is going on with you? I’ve tried to be patient, to let you work through this on your own, but I think it’s time we talk.”
Taylor’s shoulders stiffened. “I don’t really think there’s anything to talk about.”
“How about the fact that you’ll barely let me touch you? How about that?”
Her head snapped up, and I saw fire in her eyes. “I haven’t wanted you to hurt yourself.”
“Well, the doctor cleared me, what’s your excuse going to be now?” I asked, throwing my arms wide.
Taylor flinched at my movement. “I just need some time.”
“Time for what?” I was not going to let her use this as an excuse to push me away. I refused.
“To think. I need some space to figure out what I want.”
“Well, which is it, Taylor? Time or space?” My temper teased the surface, and I knew I needed to keep it in check.
She twirled the ring on her finger. “I don’t know, maybe both.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“I’m no good for you, Walker.” Her words were soft and filled with such grief, they broke my heart.
“What are you talking about?”
Tears pooled in her eyes. “I’m a mess. Can’t you see that?” She swiped at her face, and I fought back the urge to pull her into my arms. “You got hurt, and all I want to do is run away. Do you know how fucked up that is? I think I might love you, and yet all I want to do is get as far away from you as possible at the time when you need me the most.”
My heart stuttered at her confession, warmth filling my chest. “Taylor, baby, that is totally understandable given what you’ve been through recently.” I reached for her, but she stepped out of my grasp, shaking her head back and forth.
“No, it’s not! You deserve better. Someone like Ashlee, who’d love nothing more than to be by your side through it all.”
“What the fuck? Seriously, Taylor, what thefuck? I do not want, nor have I ever wanted Ashlee. I wantyou. You’re mine, remember?”
“I’m broken, Walker.”
“Well, then all your beautifully broken pieces are mine.”
Taylor’s body visibly shuddered at my words. “I think I’m going to go back to LA for a while.”
My spine went ramrod straight. “No. You go, and I’ll follow your ass.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Please.” There were tears in her voice. “Please, Walker, I need to get my head straight.”
My teeth ground together with such force, I thought I might crack a molar. “I’ll give you space to get your head straight, if you promise me you won’t leave.”
Taylor blew out a slow breath. “All right.” Her eyes, full of tears, met mine. “I’m going to go now…if you’re okay on your own.”
I wanted to scream at her that I wasn’t fucking okay on my own, but I resisted the urge and nodded instead. She disappeared into the guest room she’d been staying in, I assumed to get her stuff, and I just stared at the two sandwiches assembled and placed on plates. Footsteps sounded, drawing my attention.
There she stood, duffle over one shoulder, so eager to walk right out of my life. “I’ll call you when I figure things out.” I nodded, and she headed for the door.
“You know I love you, right?”
She froze. “I know.” The words sounded so unbelievably tortured.
“To the depths of my soul. I’ll give you time, but don’t think I’m letting you walk out of my life so easily.”
