Page 54 of Commit

Her voice cracks. “Your family is too perfect. You’re too perfect. I can’t keep up with that.”

“Let me get this straight. You can’t be with me because you think my family and I are too perfect?”

She nods. “It’s too much pressure to live up to.”

“First of all, nobody is perfect. We all have our flaws—including my family and me. Second of all, don’t you think you’re being a little unfair?”

She folds her arms across her chest. “Unfair?”

“I don’t judge you for having commitment issues—or any issues, for that matter—but you’re sure quick to judge me for being too perfect.”

Her eyes drop, and she looks away. I stand there for a moment, waiting for her to fix this, waiting for her to say anything that makes sense, but she doesn’t.

My dad’s words play back through my mind.

If Remi pushes you away again, it’s okay to be done. It’s okay to call it quits. Commitment has to go both ways. You can’t be the only one trying to make this relationship work.

It hurts, but he’s right. I have to stand up for myself.

“Rem, I can’t keep doing this. I can’t control what your heart decides. You need to figure out what you want.”

As hard as it is, I hang my head and turn and walk away, leaving her standing alone on the dance floor.

CHAPTER 35

REMI

An hour later, I walk up to the hotel room alone. My shoes are off, dangling on my finger at my side. My mascara is smeared across my face from my tears. I look like a zombie bride that just broke out of her casket.

It’s not a good look.

I’m seriously rethinking all the reasons why I’ve never purchased waterproof mascara.

I open the door to our suite, letting it shut behind me. My eyes immediately go to Matt’s bedroom. The door is open, and the lights are off.

“Matt?” I call as I walk closer. I glance around. His clothes and suitcase are gone, and I begin to panic. I rush to my room. I’m not sure why. It’s not like he’s going to be hanging out on my bed. My eyes go to a folded paper on my nightstand with my name on the front. I pick it up, slowly lowering myself to the mattress as I open the note.

Remi,

I’m not writing this note to make things hard on you. I love you. I’ll probably love you the rest of my life, but I don’t think my heart can take losing you again and again. I want you to be happy, and although it hurts, if I’m not the man that brings out the best in you, if I’m not the man that makes you feel loved and secure, then I’m bowing out. Because you deserve to be happy. You deserve to find someone that makes you feel safe. I wish it were me. I wish I was the one that could help you overcome all the hardships that you’ve gone through, that could give you the happy ending you deserve. But since I’m not, I’m leaving.

I’ve decided to take a few days and drive to Tampa to visit my dad. I’ll always care about you and wish you the very best. And if our paths happen to cross in the future, I’ll be happy to see you. I love you.

Matt

My tears started falling the second I read his first words, and they haven’t stopped. The thing is, Matt is the man that brings out the best in me. He is the man that makes me feel loved, secure, and safe. I’ve been a complete idiot. I ruined the only good relationship I’ve ever had because I’m scared.

I hate myself for being such a coward. I keep letting my mommy issues ruin my life, and I don’t even know how to stop myself.

I’m tired of fearing the what-ifs.

I’m tired of running away from the good things that life has to offer.

I’m tired of feeling like I’m not enough.

I stand, brushing the tears off my cheek.

I have to choose my future instead of focusing on my past.

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