Page 76 of Here With Me
“I knew that’d piss him off, but he deserved it.”
“So if she likes him and he seemingly likes her, why aren’t they datin’?” He opens my door and helps me hop inside.
“That’s the question of the century.”
Once he gets into the driver’s side and starts it, he takes me by surprise when he leans over.
He cups my jaw, tilting up my face until our eyes meet. It’s dark inside the cab, with minimal lighting from the parking lot, but his hold on me is firm and serious. “I wanna make sure I’m clear about one thing. Just because we’re takin’ things slow and not tellin’ anyone, doesn’t mean you aren’t mine.” Then he brushes the pad of his thumb and leans in.
ChapterSixteen
Fisher
Imoved back to Sugarland Creek because I was ready to right my wrongs.
Years spent feeling guilt, anger, and deep grief turned me into a bitter person. A self-destructive man.
A man whose ugly past consumed him until I managed to crawl out of the darkest hole I’d ever fallen into and finally realized I was wasting my life. One Lyla didn’t get to live.
I couldn’t save her, and I can’t change that she’s gone, but I can get a second chance with Jase.
Falling for his ex-girlfriend could fuck that up, but I’m screwed either way.
Even if I deny myself happiness with Noah, there’s no guarantee Jase will let me back into his life. I’ve learned firsthand how short life can be, and I’ve lived with enough regrets.
Nothing will stop me from trying like hell to be the dad he deserves, but I also want to be the man Noah deserves.
Keeping our relationship a secret may be the final nail in the coffin for Jase, but I’ll tell him myself when it’s time and hope he’ll understand.
At my age, I’m not naive to think it won’t bother him. He’s an adult now too, and I need to treat him like one. He’ll be upset, and I’ll give him all the time he needs to figure out if he’ll accept us.
Then, when Noah and I decide what we have is real and not just a fling, we’ll tell people.
But I already know it’s real.
It’s the most real thing I’ve felt since the day before Lyla died.
And although I’ve put my adrenaline-chasing days behind me, this is one high I can’t say no to.
I’ve officially relapsed. A feeling I haven’t had in ages, and if I’m not careful, it’ll send me spiraling. But it’s worth the risk to give in to the first craving I’ve wanted in a decade.
Looking at Noah, I see the sun rising on a cool autumn day.
Fallen leaves on the ground crunching when you walk on them.
The scent of caramel pecan and pumpkin spice wafting through the air in early October.
She’s my favorite time of year.
And now, she’s mine.
I’ve resisted kissing her all night to avoid crossing that line after determining we’d befriends. Her getting jealous about the receptionists only cemented that our “friendship” wouldn’t work.
Especially when I wanted to do more than stand up for her when Jase grilled her about Dylan.
And even more so when I saw that kid touching her.
How could I ever just be her friend when I want to be her everything?
