Page 115 of Unrivaled Love
Bryson wipes his hands on his thighs before he gets out of the car. I suck in a breath and follow him.
He pops the trunk and pulls out his bag and each quarter of a second that ticks by brings a stronger threat of tears but I refuse to break down in front of him. I refuse to be anything but strong.
"Okay, I guess this is it." Bryson says as he stands in front of me. He seems small. His shoulders are curled in and there isn't the amusement in his eyes I've come to admire.
"Yep, guess so." I lift my hand in a wave and press my lips together in a side-of-the-mouth smile. It's awkward as hell but I don't know what else to do.
The heartbreak is already threatening to consume me.
Bryson barks out a laugh and I startle.
"Seriously Jo? You were gonna just wave? You're fucking priceless. C'mere."
He opens his arms and the joy in his eyes is back as I slam into him and we rock each other in a hug.
His embrace is warm and even after using my laundry detergent he still smells like Bryson. A unique and spicy blend of wood and vanilla. I want to bottle it. It's probably his body wash or something and I should ask him what it is so I can buy it, too.
Bryson's hand comes up to my face and he tilts my head for a kiss that makes my toes curl.
"Fuck, I'm going to miss you." He says as he presses his forehead to mine.
"Ditto." I manage to reply as I fight the emotion threatening to break me.
"I know we're not saying it yet but we're also not not saying it so I'm not saying it now but I am ya know?" He rambles.
"Ditto." I say again and this time the word is an octave higher because those tears are really close. We're on the brink.
"Okay," he says and it's as much for him as it is for me. "Okay, I'm gonna go. I-" He stops himself and kisses me again.
The security officer blows her whistle and we scramble apart. I hurry around the front of the car and get in. I lift my hand in a wave and he returns it before turning towards the doors.
I press the ignition and crumple forward to the steering wheel. My head causes the horn to blast and it startles my system. I can’t hold it back anymore. I don’t want to. I need to let go.
The tears flood out of me and drop rapid fire to my lap and when I bang my forehead on the wheel again the horn sounds. I stifle a giggle through my tears and yelp when there's a knock on the window.
Bryson is standing there with tears in his own eyes. I roll down the window because if I get out I'll never let him leave.
"I have to say it." He says, chest heaving. Our eyes lock and I can’t get enough air in my lungs. All I can do is nod. He exhales and reaches into the open window with both hands. "I love you, Jo Hamilton."
I could float away at his words. I was so afraid to hear them but for the life of me I can’t figure out why. Every cell in my body lightens hearing him. Now, I can do this for him too.
"I love you too, Bryson Svoboda."
The words leave my lips fractions of a second before he crashes his mouth on mine. I fist the front of his shirt and hold on for dear life.
Bryson is both my buoy keeping my head above water and the anchor trying to drag me under. He’s my reason for joy and happiness but each day apart might slowly kill me now that we’ve found each other again.
Texts with The World’s Best HAB
JO HAMILTON'S #1 FAN
Morning beautiful. Today’s text from the archives is from September six years ago…
Two new guys showed up today. They’re like a real-life buddy comedy. Duncan Paisley smiles almost constantly. Like he always has this goofy grin on his face. Crosby Loughty is Andrew Loughty’s kid.
And, he strolled in wearing crocs. Who wears crocs?
Ha OMG they’ve been the same forever!
