Page 133 of Beautiful Storm

“It wouldn’t have helped. The damage was already done.”

“Damage?” A tightness wells in my chest. I only heard a bit of what he was saying about me, but I know enough. He was comparing us. And if Amelia hates anyone more than me, it’s him. Pointing out our similarities doesn’t bode well for me. “What damage?”

“For years after he walked away, he kept his distance. I never got a card on my birthday. There was no contact. But when I graduated from high school, he called. I refused to speak to him at the time and have refused again every other time since. Right up until today. Because while a tiny part of me always wondered if I was missing something, I never allowed myself to find out. Instead, I chose to pretend I never heard from him to stop myself from spiraling. Because if he hadn’t changed, and he hurt me again, then I’d be forced to admit that maybe I’m not lovable. That I’m not…” She trails off as she wipes frantically at a rogue tear as it falls down her cheek, her gaze staring through me. “Mom distanced herself when Dad left, Preston chose music over me, time and time again, and…” She shakes her head, but I don’t need her to fill in the blanks.

“And I broke your trust, making you believe I never cared.”

“I’m sorry.” She sniffs before letting more tears fall. “I don’t want to feel that way and I don’t blame you anymore, it’s just…”

“It still happened and it was another knife to the chest.”

“Yes.”

“Amelia, I need you to look at me.” She lifts her eyes, but once again, her gaze is vacant, until I grab her face in my hands, silently begging her to break out of her daze. A beat lingers between us before her eyes soften and she subtly nods.

“Thank you. Now I need you to listen. Can you do that?” She nods again but it’s not enough. “I mean, really listen.”

“Okay,” she says before squeezing my hand.

“I know this is hard to believe considering the way he acted, but I’m sure your dad loves you. My guess is that he flipped to defense mode. Hurting you before you hurt him again.”

“I hurt him?”

“He probably thinks so, though he absolutely deserves it. But maybe he’s hurt by the fact that you refuse to talk to him.”

“Right. And good. He should be.” She pouts and it’s so adorable that a small huff of a laugh chuffs out of me.

“I’m not going to disagree there. My point is that you are lovable. You are loved.”

I love you.

Woah. The thought hits me as emotions swirl through my chest making my heart swell. I knew I was falling, but am I there?Jesus. Yes, I love her.

“I promise you’re loved. Sometimes people just have a strange way of showing it.”

My confession sits on the tip of my tongue but I hold it back. It’s not the right time. Amelia’s trust issues aside, if I tell her now, she’s forever going to link my profession to this moment, and she deserves better.

She stares up at me with narrow eyes, confusion marring her features. “Do you want to know something funny?”

“Sure.” My confusion mirrors hers. I thought we were having a deep conversation but who am I to judge?

She smiles as if reading my thoughts. “I believe you,” she whispers with an awe to her tone. “I don’t know why, but I do.”

“Good, I’ll take that as progress.”

Her smile widens before she glances around the parking lot and gasps, jumping up. “I’m good now. I promise.”

“What are you doing? There’s no one out here.”

“I know but we’re still on the ground in a parking lot. I’d rather not be here when anyone comes out.”

“Fair enough. Shall we get you home?”

“Don’t you have your team workout? I don’t want to poke the bear.”

“What?” My brows furrow in confusion until Amelia bites back a grin. “Oh, you mean Easton. Don’t worry about him. His bark is way worse than his bite. Come on, let’s go.”

After walking Amelia to her car, I jump in my truck and follow her home.Home. Amelia didn’t question me when I used that term earlier. She went along with it and now she’s on her way to my place, without a second thought.

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