Page 42 of Edge of Heaven

She asked me to be her friend, asked me to wait until she’s officially free of Callum. I agreed, so I intend to stand by my word, but I also need to avoid this kind of temptation. Once we’re back on tour we’ll never be alone so it won’t be like this but damn, this is nice.

I’m still reeling from some of the things she told me last night, and I plan to wrack my brain to come up with a solution that could potentially get her out of her situation with Callum.

She made me promise not to tell anyone, which is frustrating, but I’m going to figure this out.

I have to.

I never thought I believed in love at first sight, but that’s because I didn’t recognize it four years ago. Now that I’ve been able to spend time with her again, it’s clear that it’s always been her.

It doesn’t make sense, but I don’t think love is supposed to be sensical—it’s just supposed to feel good.

And it does.

Even though we’re not together.

Even though I can’t touch her the way I want to.

But she feels what I feel.

So I’m going to man the fuck up and wait until she’s ready.

I quietly slide out of bed and head to the bathroom, taking care of business and brushing my teeth. I’m not sure why, since sex isn’t on the table, but it never hurts to put your best foot forward when it comes to a beautiful woman.

She’s still asleep when I come out so I quietly change into workout clothes and then leave her a note, telling her I’ll be back around ten and to order breakfast for us if she wants.

Then I slip out and head to the hotel gym.

Our flight isn’t until this afternoon, so it’ll be good to work out before going to the airport. I try to stay in shape, especially since I still smoke. I know I need to quit, and I’ve cut down a lot, but it’s a process. Maybe someday I’ll quit completely, like if I have kids.

Kids.

Does Taryn want more kids?

We’re nowhere near ready to have a conversation like that, but I can’t help but wonder. Is that our future? Is she the white picket fence I never knew I wanted?

Being with her means I’ll immediately become a stepfather, and even though it’s never been on my radar before, I’m okay with it. He’s nine, so it’s not like a newborn. And his father is dead, which means there won’t be any drama from an ex.

Other than Callum, of course.

I have a feeling he’s going to continue to mistreat her right up until the end, and guys like him piss me off. They get off on the power of belittling the woman in their life. Making her feel small so they can feel bigger—and it makes no sense.

From the outside looking in, Callum has it all.

A successful career as a rock star, money, fame, and a gorgeous woman. What does treating her so badly add to the equation? In my opinion, there’s something wrong with him, some kind of narcissistic, psychotic behavior.

I fucking hate that this is Taryn’s reality.

If I could trade places with her, I would.

The strong feelings I have for her may not make sense, but they exist, so it would be stupid to try to deny them. I just have to find a way to live with the status quo—knowing she goes to bed with him every night and puts up with his emotional and verbal abuse—for four more months.

It might kill me, but I’m not going to give up.

And I’m definitely not going to abandon her.

* * *

When I get backto the room, Taryn’s gone, but there’s a note saying she ordered breakfast and she’ll be back after she showers and gets dressed.

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