Page 61 of Entwined Hearts
“What is it?”
I looked at his chest, running my hands along his arms still. “I think we need to take some space.”
He sat up, frowning at the ground. The air lost some of its warmth, its vibrancy. “Space? We just had a decade of space, Savannah.”
“I know, but I can’t keep being likethiswith you when you don’t know what you’re doing about riding. It’s not fair.”
Wes scoffed, incredulous. “Not fair? It’s notfair? Do you hear yourself right now?” His glare was cutting. “You want to know what’s not fair, Savannah? You ending our engagement and then not speaking to me for over a decade, that’s what’s not fucking fair.”
I looked down at my lap, picking at my nails. “I’m not going to make you choose between PBR and me. And this isn’t me saying I don’t love you because I do,” I said, my voice wavering. “I’m doing thisbecauseI love you.”
“Bullshit,” he hissed. “You’re just looking for an excuse to run again.”
I flinched at the accusation. It was the furthest thing from the truth, but I understood why he felt that way. “That’s not true. I don’t want you to make this massive decision about your life based on me. I know how much riding means to you, Weston, and I think if there isn’t”—I waved a hand between us—“this, then your judgment won’t be clouded.”
“So what? We’re just supposed to go back to how things were? Not seeing or speaking to each other? Fuck that.”
“No. We just won’t be…this.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “And what exactly isthis, Savannah?”
“Us. Together.”
“And what if I don’t decide to retire? What then? Are you going to vanish out of my life again?”
“No.” I let out a shaky breath and took his hand in mine. “I’ll wait,” I said. “I’ll wait for you.”
He froze, the frost in his eyes cracking. “What do you mean you’ll wait?”
“When you decide to retire, I’ll be here, waiting.” I took his hand, placing it over my racing heart. The muscles in his jaw tensed, his eyes locked on where we touched.
He was warm, solid, against me, just like he’d always been. Solid in a way that assured me that this was the right decision, no matter how hard it’d be.
“You were right, there is no running from this. From what we have. And I don’t want to run from it. My heart is yours, Wes, it has been since I was sixteen. But I’m not going to come between you and your dream. Your passion. Your life’s work. So if you want to keep riding, do it. I’m not going anywhere.”
He swallowed roughly, blinking quickly. “But you said you can’t…”
I squeezed his hand. “I’ll be ready to hit the resume button,” I said, using his words.
“What if you meet someone else?” he whispered. “Someone better.”
I shook my head, smiling. “There’s only you for me.”
His eyes met mine then. They were glassy, but not from sadness, not entirely. “You’d really do this for me?”
“Yes. You’re worth staying and waiting for. However long it takes.”
“I don’t deserve you. Never have,” he rasped, his chin quivering.
I leaned in, giving him a soft kiss. “Stop that. You’re everything to me.” I kissed him again.
“Why do I feel like you’re saying goodbye again?”
“Because I am. For now. But not forever.” Another kiss because I couldn’t help myself, and I knew he wouldn’t deny me. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”
“Are you sure?” He didn’t sound like this version of himself then, but the boy who had been left behind all those years ago.
I stroked his cheek. “Yes, baby, I’m sure.” I kissed him one more time. “This isn’t really goodbye. Just see you later. And it’s not like I won’t see you around. We’re neighbors.”
