Page 28 of Our Promise
“Tell me you don’t want me, Lorielle, and I’ll pretend like last night and this morning didn’t happen. I’ve never been one for games. I’ve been entertaining it in hopes to give you some time, but the game is about to be over.”
“I just need time to think without you.”
“Time to think? Cool. I get that. You’ve been through a lot. However, time to run? That’s a no go. No more running, Elle.”
When they finally pulled up tothe Collins’ home, everyone exited the Sprinter, exhausted. It had been a long couple of days.
Most of the ride, Lorielle had been silent. She was in her head so bad, she was making herself tired.
“I had such a great time as always,” Lorielle said once Mr. B pulled her bags from the van.
Benny frowned when she reached for them. “Don’t you touch those bags, Elle.”
“That’s right, Son.” Mr. B winked at her. “Let that man be a man.”
Benny hadn’t said much to her since this morning in her room. During breakfast, they sat beside each other, and when it was time to load the Sprinter, she slid into the same seat she had on the way down.
Benny surprised her, sliding in beside her. He did work from his phone, but it was his closeness that brought her comfort.
That spoke to her. Though they were at odds, he still wanted to be around her.
“Thank you.” Benny placed her bags in the trunk of her car. She gave him a pleasant smile then moved to the driver’s door. He put his hand out to stop her from opening it.
“Where are you rushing off to?”
“Home. I’m ready to completely unwind. The past month has really been a lot.”
“Running?” he questioned with a raised brow.
“Benny, I need time to think.”
He rubbed his hand down his face. “What is it going to take to know that I’m for real?”
She said the corniest line, but it was true. “It’s not you. It’s me.”
“Then let me help you.”
She knew Benny was as real as they came, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t flip on her. What if being in a relationship with him was different than what they were doing now?
Past trauma was real, and she didn’t know how to overcome the fear that one day he might turn into someone she didn’t recognize, and she wouldn’t be prepared.
“When you love someone, that’s what you do. And I do love you, Lorielle. Not just the way you look or what you can do for me. I love who you are, that’s why it’s hard for me to walk away. Don’t give me a reason to walk away. I’ll give you space, just promise to really think about what you would be giving up if you make me walk away.”
“I have to go.” She moved, but he stopped her again. “Please.”
“I will for now, but just know I’m coming for you, Lorielle.”
He opened her car door, and she eased in behind the wheel. He shut it when she was secure in her seat. She started the car, and he stepped back. She pulled out the driveway and instantly felt a sense of loss.
When Lorielle got home, the first thing she did was run a bath, but it didn’t help her. As the water settled around her, all she could think about was Benny and how he took her body to new heights.
She yearned for his presence.
Lorielle’s phone rang, bringing her out of her thoughts. She saw it was Jo and frowned. She dried her hands and answered it, putting it on speaker.
“Why are you calling me? You’re supposed to be enjoying your honeymoon.”
“I heard my brother set claims on you. That’s definitely worth a phone call, don’t you think, Elle?”
