Page 58 of Unbroken Promises

I huff, stabbing my eggs with more force before bringing the fork to my mouth as I mutter. “Not likely.” Rolling my eyes, I continue, “I meant, what are you going to be doing while Muscles and Dimples here play babysitter again all day?”

With that, I shove the piping hot eggs in my mouth and have to force down a groan as my eyes roll back in my head. God, I forgot just how good his cooking is. And apparently, I worked up quite the appetite after last night.

Noting the pleasure that I can’t hide, Theo just laughs, shaking his head. “I have some unfinished business with Tony that I need to clear up this morning, and then I have to head to the stadium to prep for our game tonight. I would really like you to come though, if you’re up for it?”

His words are hesitant, and I can see the uncertainty in his eyes at his request. I hadn’t willingly gone to one of his games since he broke up with me. The last one that I attended for Bash didn’t count. I swallow nervously. If I do this, it's all but sealing the deal on this. . . whatever this is. Confirming that we are getting back together. Can I do it? There is still so much left unsaid, so much that we didn’t get to discuss last night. I’m not so sure.

Muscles and Dimples, or rather, Darrion and Jayce, wisely choose to remain silent as they continue drinking their coffee, acting as if they don’t hear a word we are saying. I’m not sure what exactly is happening here between us, but clearly, we still have a lot of feelings for one another. I owe it to myself to at least try and see where this thing can go. Knowing it would be pointless to argue with him, to deny him this request after everything that happened last night I nod in agreement, before continuing to eat my food in silence.

“Alright, as promised. Peppermint Bark for you, and Udderly Chocolate for me.” I plop down next to Jonathan on the couch, careful not to bump his arm that is resting in a sling as I place the bowl of ice cream in front of him.

With slow, deliberate movements, he balances the bowl on his lap and uses his good hand to bring a large spoonful to his mouth. Moaning around a mouthful, he mutters “Udderly Chocolate? You heathen! God, this peppermint is heaven in a bowl. What is wrong with you?”

I laugh, rolling my eyes as I take a bite of my own ice cream, swallowing the cool treat before I respond. “I stand by what I said. Peppermint is only good for hot cocoa and candy canes. In anything else, it just tastes like toothpaste.”

He takes an exaggerated bite, pretending to chomp down on the spoon. “Mmm, best damn toothpaste I ever did have.”

Leaning into his side, I nudge him playfully with my shoulder. “There is so much wrong with you, I hope you know that.”

He grins widely, teeth gleaming in his dimmed apartment lights. “Yeah, but you love me anyway.”

I roll my eyes. “Obviously, I would have to after the obnoxious way you treated that poor nurse of yours.”

“Hey now!” He protests, indignantly. “I was not that bad. Can you blame me for wanting to be out of there so we can finally figure out this damn thing with your stalker situation?”

The grin falls from my face. Right. That. I shift uncomfortably, before turning to face the man who has been so much more than just a friend over these last several years. Taking a deep breath, I go to speak, but the look on his face stops me before I can even get a word out.

“You’re back together with him, aren’t you?” His face is dark, words bitter as he glowers down at his half-eaten bowl of ice cream.

“Jay-” I pause, unsure of what to say. “It’s complicated. I don’t. . .” I shake my head, confused by the turmoil of emotions rushing through me.

“Was any of it real? Between us, I mean?”

There is hurt in his eyes as he looks up at me, and I feel a piece of my heart splinter.Oh, Jay.A tear slips down my cheek, and I brush at it angrily. Dammit. I hate crying.

“Of course it was real.” I reach out to grab his hand, the bowl of ice cream now forgotten in his lap. “I care for you, so much. And I know that youcare for me too. But this thing between us? You and I both know it was never going to be anything more than this.”

He laughs, but there is no humor in his voice as he responds. “Right. Because ofhim.”

“Because ofme,Jonathan. And because of you. What we are to one another? What you needed from me? And what I needed from you?” I frown, trying to think of the right words to say. “We needed each other to move on from our pasts, to have a safe space to heal. And youare.You have been my safe space, and I will always love you for that. This thing with Theo? Well, I don’t know what we are to each other anymore, I don’t know if we will be able to move past old hurts but I think I owe it to myself to find out. And you deserve to be with someone who can be the partner that you need, who canreallylove you with everything they have. And regardless of what happens moving forward, you and I both know that I could never be that person for you.”

We both sit there in silence, the remainder of our ice cream melting; neglected like the pieces of our relationship that never quite fit together, because he was always going to be the Peppermint Bark to my Udderly Chocolate.

“Danica?”

“Hmm?”

He reaches out to take my hand.

“If he hurts you again, I’ll kill him.”

I squeeze his hand lightly.

“I know.”

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Danica

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