Page 62 of Declan
“I’m not going back to New York, Declan—”
He ran a hand through his hair; frustration lined around his eyes. “It pains me to say it, but you need to see what you’d miss if you stay here… with me. I think you owe it to yourself to try.”
Elise’s pulse hammered in her temples. “Stop telling me what you think! How about whatIthink? I’m the one who has to make this decision, and I already have.”
He took a slow step closer, voice softening. “Of course, what you think matters, but if you turn this opportunity down without even trying, I worry you’ll regret it, maybe even regret us.”
A fierce heat burned behind her eyes. She shook her head, tears threatening to spill. “I would never regret us. You’re thebest thing that’s ever happened to me—yes, even more than ballet.” She lifted her chin, shoulders squared. “No. I won’t go.”
“Elise, please just go and see what you’d be missing because if that’s what you truly want, I’ll find a way to live with it,” Declan said, his voice a mix of resolve and vulnerability. “You can’t just say no without at least trying.”
“Why do you want to break up with me? Is it because of what I told you about Stephen?” she asked, her voice trembling as a single tear traced a sorrowful path down her cheek.
“Hell, no. I’ve already forgotten that. I don’t want to break up with you,” he replied, his eyes softening as he looked at her. “I want you to be where you truly want to be. What if you don’t go now, and then in a year or two, you find yourself wondering what life could have been like for you?” He reached for her hand, but she slapped it away.
“That won’t happen,” she insisted, her voice firm.
He let out a brief humorless laugh. “You can’t know that for sure,” he said, his gaze steady and searching.
“And you can’t either, Declan!” she retorted.God, she couldn’t lose him.
“You’re right,” he acknowledged, his tone gentle yet earnest. “But I’d rather you go now and see for yourself. If you decide to come back to Clifton and me, I’ll be here, waiting.”
She sniffled as tears rolled down her cheeks. “You said this was nothing bad. You promised, but you’re breaking my heart. Just go—”
“Elise—”
“Please, Declan. I don’t want to see you right now.” She turned away from him so she wouldn’t beg him to stay.
She heard him sigh, and a few minutes later, the soft click of the door closing behind him resonated through the room. Left alone, Elise sank onto the plush sofa, her body crumpling as she sobbed into the cushions. The tears poured down her cheeks.
After what felt like an eternity, she lifted herself from the sofa, feeling exhausted. She reached for her phone, her fingers trembling slightly, and called her mother’s number.
“Elise? What’s wrong?” Her mother’s voice was warm, a comforting balm to her wounded heart.
“Mom—” Elise’s voice caught in her throat, a lump of unshed tears blocking her words. She swallowed hard, attempting to steady herself. “Declan and I broke up.”
“Oh, honey, why?” Her mother’s voice was full of concern and love.
“We had an argument, and I told him to leave,” Elise admitted, her voice a raw whisper.
“Elise, every couple has arguments. It will work out,” her mother assured her.
“He told me I should go to New York and work with Wynonna,” Elise continued, the words tumbling out in a rush.
“Why did he say that? Doesn’t he want you with him?” her mother inquired, a hint of confusion in her tone.
As her mother listened patiently, Elise poured her heart out, each word a piece of her soul laid bare. Her mother remained silent, absorbing the torrent of emotions. When Elise finally finished, tears still glistening on her cheeks, she waited with bated breath for her mother’s response. The silence stretched.
“Mom?” Elise prompted softly.
“He’s right, Elise,” her mother replied gently.
She gasped, her breath hitching. “How can you say that? You even told me I sounded happy.”
“You did, but I think he wants you to be sure you want to be with him—” her mother explained, her voice a soft murmur.
“Iamsure, Mom,” Elise insisted, desperation creeping into her tone.
