Page 17 of Letters From a Broken Heart
Or maybe he doesn’t want to believe it because that means he could’ve had me all along.
“I'm not joking, Taylor.”
“Neither am I. I love you, Easton.”
He cups my cheek, and leans down. My breath stills as I let my eyes drift closed. He’s finally going to kiss me. I’ve been waiting almost a decade for this.
“Sweetie, there you are. I was looking for you everywhere,” Mrs. Maxwell’s voice floats through the doorway.
I try to take a step away from Easton, but he doesn’t let me go. He drops his hand from my cheek and wraps me in his embrace once again. Easton spins us so we can see his mom and a soft smile spreads across her face.
“Oh, hello, Taylor. How are you, dear?”
“I'm hanging in there,” I say quietly.
“Aren't we all.” She lets out a deep breath. “Dad and I are going to head to the cemetery. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to drive with us.”
“Nah, I’m going to drive with Taylor. I don’t want her to be alone.” Easton kisses the top of my head. He’s done it so many times since Jack died. Really, he’s done it so many times throughout our lives. Always lingering a little longer than what would be considered acceptable. But I never minded. I lived for those few seconds I felt like I mattered to him.
“Of course. Well, I’ll see the two of you over there.”
Chapter 8
Easton
Mom disappears down the hallway and I squeeze my eyes shut. Everything just got so much more difficult.
I knew Jack’s funeral would be hard for both of us, but I didn’t expect it to end like this.
What was Jack thinking? Why would he cheat on Taylor? She’s one of the most fun, beautiful, loving, and smartest women I’ve ever met. There’s a reason she’s been the center of my world for so long.
My thoughts stray to that day I told Jack how I felt about her. How he got so mad, then went and asked her out himself. Was it all just so I couldn’t have her? Was it really so she wouldn’t have to split her time between the two of us?
Why would he care if he didn’t actually love her? Why complicate things so much more? He could’ve let me date her. He still would’ve been in her life and gotten to spend time with her,but he could’ve dated whoever he wanted, rather than sneaking around behind her back.
I shake my head and try to clear the thoughts that are circling around inside my brain. I need to focus on this moment, not everything that’s going on right now.
There are too many things demanding my attention though.
I would’ve picked you. I would’ve picked you every time.
Her words play over and over in my head. Has she really been in love with me all along? It explains so much though. So many times over the years, she’d come over when she knew Jack wasn’t home. She’d hang around like she was trying to get my attention or spend just a little more time with me.
Memories of a specific day that summer float to the front of my mind and it’s like I'm watching it play out like a movie.
“Hey, Easton. What are you up to?” Taylor slips through the open garage door and squeezes past all the parts of my car littering the space.
“I'm trying to get this to work, but it’s giving me a lot of trouble,” I murmur as I tighten the bolt. I’ve been working on this old car for years and I almost have it up and running. I spend all of my spare time on it, especially since Jack started dating Taylor.
“What are we trying to get to work?” She moves close enough for her strawberry scent to surround me.
She leans under the hood and peers at the engine like she has any idea what she’s looking at. Her arm is pressed against mine and it takes a lot of effort for me to keep my hands to myself.
“Do you really want to know? Because you’re hopeless when it comes to cars. You can hang out even if you’re clueless on what we’re working on.” I nudge her shoulder with mine. “I promise not to kick you out.”
“Good. I didn’t even want to pretend I knew what we were looking at.” She sighs happily, making me chuckle. “Can I just sit here and look pretty while you get all covered in grease?” She nods towards the stool behind me.
“You can do whatever your heart desires, sweetheart.”
