Page 113 of Chasing Sparks

“I’m begging you. Please don’t walk away from me. You’re all I’ve got.”

“You don’t need me, Ash. You never did.”

“This was before you and I got together. If I had known?—”

“Don’t go there. Don’t wish that, ever.”

“You know what I mean. It’s been a fucking horrible night.”

I finally meet his gaze, peering into the green depths. He looks exhausted—dark circles under his eyes, worry lines creasing his forehead. He looks utterly haggard.

Neither of us has the energy to hash this out right now. Not that there’s anything left to discuss, aside from returning the few personal items we’ve left at each other’s places.

Hell, it took Ash a month to invite me to his home. It took Lucille one night to receive an all-access pass to live here.

The writing is on the wall. It’s likely always been there—I just didn’t want to see it. But my eyes are open now.

“Little one, I can’t do this alone.” His voice is low, trembling with emotion.

Damn me and my soft heart, but the man looks petrified. I want to hate him, but it’s not that easy.

“You don’t have to,” I reply quietly.

His eyes search mine, a glimmer of hope lighting them. “You mean that?”

“Of course. You have Lucille, and I’m sure your parents will help however they can.”

“What about us?”

“There is no us. I don’t think there ever was.”

“Please don’t say that. Don’t walk away from me now—I’m begging you.”

I pull open the truck door and climb inside. “I need time, Ash. Time to process this. When I’m ready, we can talk. But until then, I need space.”

I don’t wait to hear his reply. What can he say that will change any of this?

Although I’m crumbling inside, I slap on a false front of bravery. Years of mourning my father’s abandonment taught me how to fake it. It’s not for Ash’s sake—he has Lucille to lean on now.

No, this is for me. I deserve to leave here with the last shreds of my dignity. My heart is another matter. That I’ll leave at Ash’s feet, where he can walk over it a few more times, should the desire arise.

I put the truck into gear and glance through the windshield. Ash hasn’t moved. His eyes remain locked on me, sadness etched deep into his features.

Or maybe that’s just what I want to see.

Doesn’t matter either way.

My time with Ash is over. He’s going to be a dad, and I’m not the mom.

How stupid was I to think I’d ever have a starring role in Asher Hammond’s life? I was nothing but the understudy.

I pull onto the main road, my entire body trembling as a mixture of shock, rage, and heartbreak courses through my veins.

Now what? How do I coexist, working next door to the man I adore—a man who’s having a baby with his first love?

It’s too much to think about. All I can do is get back to the shop safely, throw myself into work, and seriously reconsidermoving back to the city. Avoiding Ash at all costs is now my top priority.

Do I hate him? No. If what he says is true, this happened when my only interactions with Ash were angry glares and muttered curses.

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