Page 57 of Take Me
Whoa.That’s the first time he’s truly been honest.
The triumph feels hollow, like a medal I’ve gotten for completing a race in last place.
“So why did you do it?”I’d like to have answers at least.“If you knew you didn’t plan to marry me, why did you keep pretending you were in it for the long haul?”
“I don’t know.”Neil drags his hands down his face.“I guess I just hoped I’d rekindle those feelings.That something might change and I wouldn’t have to break your heart.”
Swallowing hard, I manage to gulp down the lump in my throat.“Well, you did break my heart.”
“I know.And I’m sorry.”
There’s something different in how he says it.A look in his eyes that tells me how intensely he means it.I don’t feel sorry for him—God, no—but I get how much it would suck to fall out of love with the person you’d once planned to spend your life with.
And that’s the crux of this, isn’t it?I’d never want to be with someone who didn’t love me back.
“All right.”Anger leaks out of me like a balloon that’s deflating.I’m still stinging and raw, but at least it’s a start.“Thank you.”
“Yeah.”Neil draws another deep breath.“Look, there’s more.I didn’t want to do this here.I wanted to have this conversationprivately, like you said.”
I can concede I haven’t been easy to reach.“I didn’t want to talk to you.”
“I get that.”He lets out a long, shaky breath.“But there’s something else.Something I’ve been needing to tell you.”
I knew there had to be.He wouldn’t spend weeks leaving messages, then track me down at the coffee shop just to saysorry.He’s said it enough times already.
Gripping my coffee cup, I force myself to hold his gaze.“What is it?”
He looks down at the table, collecting his thoughts.“I’m getting out.”
“Out?”
“Out of the Navy.”Lifting his gaze, he stares into my eyes.“I’m dating someone new and it’s serious, Ricky.”
I try not to flinch at his use of that nickname.Only my dad calls meRicky.“Don’t call me that, please.”
“Sorry.”He sighs.“I’m making the choice not to reenlist so I can see where it goes with this girl.I love her.I’m in love with her, all right?”
Wow.“Okay.”
“That’s not all.”
Of course it isn’t.“Because clearly it isn’t enough to drop that bomb?To tell me you’re willing to do something for a woman you’ve known a few months that you wouldn’t do for me in ten years?”
Neil tries to swallow again.I hear his throat click with the effort.“I’ve known her longer than that,” he says softly.
“You have?”
“Yeah.”
“She’s from here.”My head starts to buzz like it’s filled up with locusts.“Someone I know?”
“Yes.”Holding my gaze, he nods slowly.“It’s Annabelle,” he says, as the buzz in my brain gets louder.“Annabelle Hanlon the vet.”
Chapter9
Mason
“Welcome to Karaoke Night at Big One’s!”I switch the mic to my left hand as I drag the costume box to the edge of the stage.“For all our newcomers out there, welcome.We do karaoke a little differently here in Cherry Blossom Lake.Anyone want to fill in our new friends on how we roll at Big One’s?”
