Page 153 of Beautiful Storm

He drops to his knees and stares up at me. “I’m so fucking sorry, Amelia.”

“I know. I—”

“No, wait. Let me speak. I fucked up. I know I fucked up. And I know you don’t want my excuses, but I couldn’t be the one adding to your stress. I couldn’t do it. Ican’tdo it. I’m supposed to be helping you. I’m still following our pact.”

“What?” My eyes widen as a new image enters my mind, one of a ten-year-old Luke, carrying me off the road as blood seeps from a cut in my leg.

“I promise, I’ll protect you more from now on. I’m never going to let anything or anyone hurt you again. You can count on me, Ace.”

God, I’d almost forgotten about that.

“Oh, Luke.” His broken expression shatters my heart, and when he lifts his gaze, my stomach knots, hitting me with the sudden urge to protect him. “I’ll stay.”

His eyes widen as his body physically deflates. “You’ll stay.”

“Yes,” I whisper as he stands up, before I reach out and pull him into my arms. “I’m sorry, Luke. It’s just—”

“I know, believe me. I know. And you have nothing to be sorry about.” He presses his hand to my heart and shakes his head. “We have to calm you down. Fuck, I’m so sorry.”

“I’m okay. I promise I’m okay.”

“I love you so fucking much.” He presses a kiss to my forehead before holding me in his protective arms.

“I love you too. More than I ever thought I’d love anyone.”

I’m standing on the field as Luke accepts his championship ring, my proud gaze locked on his smile as everyone around me stares, their whispers flowing through my mind.

“Why would she stay with him?”

“It has to be money.”

“I heard they have an agreement and it’s all fake.”

All fake.

Then the laughing begins. So much laughing.

I spin around to say something but come face-to-face with two young girls from sixth grade in an otherwise empty school yard. One of them whispers to the other as they look my way, snickering behind their hands.

“I can’t believe she doesn’t know about her dad.”

I wake with a start and frantically search my surroundings until Luke’s peaceful snores fill the air from beside me.

It was a dream. Just a dream.

And I’ve forgiven Luke.

But why can’t I get over it? He was protecting me. I understand that. I would have done the same. But I can’t shake this feeling.

I shift uncomfortably for God knows how long until at some point I must fall back asleep, and when I’m roused again, Luke’s pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I have to go, but you should sleep. You were pretty restless last night.”

Shit. I sit up. “I’m sorry, did I keep you awake?”

“No. I’m fine. I promise. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m good. I promise,” I repeat his words back to him and smile.

“Are we?” he asks, his expression anxious.

---