Page 98 of Aching for His Discretion

Elliot’s words from a while back surfaced in my mind.

What I don’t like about you, Teegan… is also exactly what I do like about you, what I think would be good for Levi to have around him. But he… we may not be good for you.

In the past, Levi wasn’t good to me, yet I fell in love with him despite that. I looked past everything that made me question being with him because I couldn’t ignore the attraction and aching feeling I had to be with him.

He never questioned whether or not he was good for me in the past. But now? Now when I had finally fallen in love with him, that was his concern?

“You were never good for me, Levi,” I whispered, each word drenched in anger. “But that didn’t stop you then. Why is it different now? Why do you get to make that decision?!” I asked angrily.

He approached me slowly. “I didn’t make this fucking decision, Teegan.You did. You told me I needed help, you told me we needed time apart,you told me I hurt you.”

I felt taken aback.I did this?

“How exactly is any of this my fault? You’re the one who wanted to force me to stay in the first place. And when I pushed you away, you still forced yourself back into my life.”

“I forced myself back into your life because I couldn’t stand the thought of losing you…” he said, his voice low and controlled. “And in that process, I hurt the woman I never wanted to hurt in a million fucking years, Teegan. I love you too much to hurt you again.”

Which is why he’s letting me go…

“So why? Why even come to my graduation? Why apologize to make me forgive you? Why tell me you love me and that I’m yours if you’re going to just throw me away?”

“Because... I didn’t know how to say goodbye. I didn’t want you to leave without closure,” he admitted.

I bit my lip as I simply stared at him. “And... and you thought breaking up with me on the day of my graduation... after having sex and telling me you love me… would bring me closure?” I asked, tears falling down my face angrily.

He shook his head. “I didn’t mean for it to come out this way.”

“Well, it did,” I whispered, feeling used as I grabbed my belongings and walked out of his room.

Picking up my phone, I dialed Elliot, and he picked up on the first ring.

“Teegan?”he said over the phone, and I sniffled softly as I responded.

“I want to go home. Can you or one of the guys pick me up?”

“What happened, Little Mama?”I heard Nico ask, and I shook my head as I wiped my tears.

“Nothing. Nothing at all. I just want to go home. If you guys could help me pack, I’ll finish up tonight, have lunch with my parents tomorrow, and ask them if they would be willing to make the trip to my new place with me.”

“Teegan...”Micah said, and I held back a sob.

“Please, guys. I-I just want to go home,” I whispered.

It was silent for a moment before Elliot spoke again.

“We’ll be there soon.”

I ended the call and sat on the couch as I waited. Eventually, the door opened, and Nico was the first over to me. He wiped my tear-stained cheeks softly as I smiled sadly.

Micah came over to grab a few things, however Elliot walked straight past me. He went toward Levi’s room, and I heard a thump… almost as if it was a punching sound.

I quickly looked over my shoulder as Elliot shook his hand in slight pain and irritation while coming back over. I went to speak, and he nodded toward the door.

“Let’s go. We need to get you packed up and ready to move,” he stated, and I simply nodded as they grabbed my gifts and other belongings before walking me outside.

As I walked, I glanced down at the framed picture I was holding. The gift I was the most excited for, despite not seeing the other gifts… it reminded me how we went from happy and in love to miserable and separated.

Maybe this was for the best. Maybe… maybe he was right. He wasn’t good for me,I thought to myself as my fingers played with the diamond necklace.

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