Page 97 of Mine to Ruin

“Welcome to the morning after,” he says.

Relief and anger battle for the prime spot for my mood.

“How are you feeling?” he asks and his voice sounds so loud.

“Like a bulldozer is drilling in my brain.”

“Here.” He offers me an aspirin and orange juice. My eyes drink him in before I swallow the painkiller with some juice.

He walks away and my stupid heart collapses in my chest, only to resurrect when he steps back with a box of donuts. A genuine smile parts my lips as I take it and sink my teeth into the fluffy, creamy dough.

When I chew the last bite, his finger wipes at the corners of my lips.

“Kind of feels like déjà vu.” Heat rushes to my cheeks, remembering the very embarrassing moment of the so-called interview.

“Thank you,” I say and push myself off the bed then freeze when I see two pieces of luggage by the door. My heart halts in my chest, because even though I had the same thing in mind, this hurts worse.

“It’s not what you think. Fuck, I would never do that.” He curses again under his breath and takes my hands in his.

My fuzzy brain clears. “It’s okay, I was thinking the same thing,” I say, proud that my voice didn’t break.

He cups my face in his, and his eyes burrow into mine. “I love you,” he confesses and places my hand on his chest. “Don’t leave me. I am an idiot, please forgive me,” he pleads.

My lower lip wobbles, and I bite it down, plastering a strong mask on my face.

“These last couple of days, this has been your bedroom and your home, and you stayed away because I was here.”

He shakes his head, his eyes seeking mine. “No, it’s our home. It used to be a fucking meaningless place without you.”

Why is love such a damn dichotomy?

He places his forehead on mine. “You’re all I want, angel, just you.” He wraps his hands around me, and I grip his shirt. I am so powerless when it comes to him.

“The thought alone you could be interested in someone else… It drives me mad, makes my chest ache.”

His chest heaves and sheer torment looks back at me.

I place my palms on his cheeks.

“Brandon and I are friends. I’m interested in no one else.”

His thumb grazes my neck, and goosebumps erupt all over my skin.

“Good.”

He presses a kiss to the corners of my lips. Those greens and grays gleam in relief as he looks at me. It feels like huge progress, and I smile into his chest, feeling light weighted like a petal carried by the wind, twirling happily in the air.

“Let’s go away for a few days, just the two of us,” he says, cocking his head.

He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

“I’m an insufferable, jealous asshole, but promise I’m trying to be better.”

That’s my kryptonite and I nod, sure that my heart would never forgive me otherwise.

I take a shower and my hangover eases as the minutes pass.

“Where are we going?” I ask when he puts the bags in his trunk.

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