Page 14 of Lessons In Love
“I—it’s not a simple story, Delaney,” I say, giving myself a moment to come up with a way to explain my actions. I pull back, looking down into her eyes, needing her to see my sincerity. “Back then, it seemed like my only option. I never wanted to leave you—please believe that. But I had to in order to keep you safe.”
She nods, moving one hand from my chest to brush away a stray tear, and I take it as my cue to continue. “I knew if I told you my plan you’d either try to talk me out of it, or you’d try to follow me.” I shake my head. “You could’ve talked me out of leaving in a heartbeat—you had that much power over me, even back then.”
She gasps, her eyes wide as the true meaning of what I’m confessing dawns on her.
I nod, flashing her a small, sad smile. “I couldn’t stay, Dells. It wasn’t safe for you. And I couldn’t let you throw your future away to follow me. I’ve only ever needed one thing—your happiness. I knew after graduation that I was expected to fully join the family business. And I truly believed the only way to protect you from all of that was to leave.”
She moves her cheek back to my chest, placing her ear over my heart. “I wish you would’ve told me, Lachlan. We could’ve figured it out together.”
“I know that now, Delaney. And I’m so fucking sorry that my actions hurt you—hurt both of us. I was young and scared and didn’t want you involved in my mess.”
“You didn’t have to do it alone, Lachlan,” she says, pulling away from me in exasperation, crossing her arms over her chest. “We could’ve faced anything together.”
I lean in, wrapping my arms around her, wishing we were somewhere private so I could show her just how sorry I am.
“Hindsight is a cruel mistress, Delaney—it taunts you with wisdom and the inability to change the past.” I kiss the crown of her head. “But I’m here now, and I want to make amends. I’ve changed—spent years working hard to leave that life behind. I’m no longer the boy who ran. Tell me what it’ll take to make it right.”
“I—I’m glad you’re back, Lachlan. I—I missed you.” Tears slip down her cheeks as she nods, leaning her forehead into my chest, breathing deeply.
“I missed you too, Laney. Every second of every day was agony without you.” My heart aches at the time we’ve lost. “I hope you can forgive me and allow me to make it up to you.”
She tips her head up and I lean down, our lips meeting in a gentle kiss. Emotions have been in overdrive tonight, between the confrontation with Myles and the rehashing of our past. Clearly, we still have a lot to work through, but knowing there’s hope for us brings me peace.
Delaney
“Delaney.” Lachlan’s voice breaks through the hum of activity around us, focusing my attention back on him. “Can we go somewhere private to talk?” His intense hazel eyes search mine, and I see a plea in them that I can’t deny.
“About what?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.
He gulps. “About us.” It’s just two words, but they shake me to my core. All I can do is nod, my heart rate increasing as we slip through the crowd, making our way outside.
The cool air settles around us as I take a seat on the weathered wooden bench that overlooks the football field. The moon is peeking out from behind a cloud, and it reflects in Lachlan’s determined eyes as he closes in on me.
My breath catches as he sits beside me, and my thoughts spiral out of control.Can I trust him? Should I? Can I handle it if he’s just playing me?
His leg bounces nervously and then moves more as his foot begins to trace random patterns into the short grass. “There’s something I need you to know, Delaney—something I should’ve told you a long time ago.”
I’m immediately on edge, wondering if I can handle this newest revelation after so much emotional upheaval tonight. I swallow hard. “What is it, Lachlan?”
His leg stops moving and he turns to look at me, his hand cupping my cheek gently, sending shivers of pleasure down my spine. His eyes bore into mine with an intensity I’ve never experienced, and I cannot look away.
“I held back out of cowardice—I realize that now. And I’m done playing it safe. I love you, Delaney. I am knocked-on-my-ass, you jump, I jump, batshit crazy in love with you.”
I watch him silently for a moment, searching his eyes for any signs of deception, but all I can see there is hope and sincerity.
“You—youloveme?” My heart swells, and I know I can’t hold myself back from him any longer. I’ve waited ten years to hear those words from him, and I truly never thought I would.
“Yes. I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. I was afraid, back then, of so many things. But I’m not now.”
I feel my defenses crumbling and hopeful tears fall down my face. “Why now?” It’s the final question I need answered before I can accept the man beside me.
He pulls me closer into him, answering my question softly. “Because I can’t bear to see you in danger anymore. Everything I’ve done has been to protect you, but I can’t do that from afar anymore. I want to be the one to keep you safe—even from my own misplaced fears. I… I want to be with you, Delaney, more than anything. No matter what.”
I pull back, using both hands to dash away tears as I realize I’d never be able to turn him away. I need him. Without him, a piece of me was missing. I lean into his touch, needing his lips on mine, sharing the promise that we can overcome any obstacles in our path.
“I love you, too, Lachlan,” I whisper, pulling him closer, with both hands fisted in his shirt. Just as his lips seal over mine, stealing my breath and breathing life back into me, a loud clap of thunder echoes around us, followed by fat raindrops.
We part, laughing, already soaked to the bone. Lachlan grabs my hand, pulling me toward the parking lot and opens the door to his car, helping me in. I watch him jog around to the driver’s side and slide behind the wheel, grinning at me. “Where to?”
