Page 120 of From Us, Forever

“Guess he repaid that favor. I still can’t believe he killed him.” Goosebumps sprang out of my skin just thinking about it.

“Let’s not ever talk about this anymore.” He placed a kiss on my head before dragging it all over my face.

A hiss escaped me when he met my broken lips.

“Fuck, sorry. Does it still hurt?” he whispered, sliding a soft finger along.

“A bit,” I mumbled.

His eyes glazed as they swept over my face. “Are you okay, though? Really okay? I know nothing fucking happened, but still, it’s not every day you get kidnapped.”

“I know, and I’m going to sound like a broken record, but I’m really fine.”

Everything made sense now. The questions I had in my head and reasoning, thewhythat haunted me, were all wrapped up into one twisted story. It makes me think about the generational trauma that I inherited for no apparent reason, and at this moment, I choose to forgive her—forgiveme, even though it wasn’t my fault. I chose to let it go because the past would no longer dictate my future, and it certainly wasn’t what I wanted to blindly continue onto my children.

I refused to do that.

I may not know how to be a mother, but I will try every single day to be a much better one than my mother was to me.

“What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” Jay ruffled my hair.

“Nothing.” I yawned into my palms. “Do you think it’s a little too early for sleep?” My eyes cast to the setting sun outside.

“Not at all.” He smiled, lacing his fingers with mine. “Come on, let’s go.”

That night, I fell asleep warm, safe, and content in the arms of my love—hopeful.

PART VI

ALIGNMENT

-I adored her, I abandoned her, I resented her, I escaped her, and I embraced her.

Now, I align with her—forever.

CHAPTER 23

Many months later.

Strong hands curved along my waist. “Wake up, sweetheart,” a soft voice whispered in my ear before the heat of his skin seeped through my body, surfacing the blush that was addicted to his touch.

“Jay, I’m pretty sure it’s super, super early,” I groaned. “And you’re just trying to get me into your stupid morning routine.” I buried deeper into his hold.

His newfound inner peace morning routine involved waking up at five o’clock, journaling some bullshit that he swapped for writing songs, taking a bunch of unnecessary supplements, working out for an hour, and meditating. To say I loathed that particular routine was an understatement because he was never by my side when I woke up. It was all because of the new holistic life coach, Moira, who was working with the band, and I hated her—she was pretty with really long legs, gorgeous tan skin, and luscious hair.

“I swear it’s not.” I felt lips trace like butterflies all over my face. “It’s nine o’clock. Did you forget what day it is?”

My eyes snapped open, immediately locking onto a pair of blues shining like sunshine on the dark blue ocean. The panicrose at the smile dancing on my face. “It’s release day,” I shouted, pushing him away as I jumped out of bed.

“Ouch,” he mumbled, grinning as he propped his head in his fist, lying on his side.

“What do I do?” I asked with wide eyes, shivering in my thin cami and shorts. I already missed my little furnace cave created by my blankets and my man. The cold season was back again, and I must say, I didn’t really miss the sun.

“I think you still haven’t woken up. Drink your coffee.” He gestured to my nightstand.

“Right,” I muttered, jiggling my knees as I sipped the hot coffee, moaning as the caffeine warmed my blood. “Okay. I think I’m good now.” I placed the mug aside. “What do I have to do?” I met his amused gaze. “I need to get ready because my book is releasing today,” I screamed the last part, tackling him. “Why didn’t you just tell me that?” I shouted in his face.

He bellowed a laugh, gripping me tighter to him. “I was trying to,” he mumbled before devouring me in a long, hard kiss that made me go all gooey on the inside.

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