Page 92 of Give Me Redemption

“Hey,” I say, nudging her arm. She stirs and looks up at me, sleepy and clearly hungover.

“What time is it?” she asks.

“Early. You need to go.” I walk to the bathroom to jump into the shower, hoping she’ll be gone when I get out.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Harlow

Springtime casts winter to the side. It covers us in perfect warmth, showing favor to the blooming flowers and buzzing bees. The heated air sweeps across my face as I run through the park. My lungs burn, and sweat slides down the side of my neck as my legs keep pushing. My shoulders ache from thick tension and stress, and my stomach is in constant knots.

I sawhim.

As soon as he walked out from upstairs, my heart begged me to run to him. It kicked up its beat and urged me forward, linking its hands together, in a pretty please gesture, because we hadn’t seen him in what felt like years. But as soon as Jace hit the bottom step, a girl wrapped herself around him and he kissed her.

Hereallykissed her.

I saw crimson.

And suddenly, I was so envious of this woman I’d never met.

Her hands were on him.

Her lips were tasting his. How she grabbed him seemed effortless, like it was the natural thing for her to do.

While I stood there uncomfortable in my own skin. While I had every single opportunity to do just what she was doing, but I couldn’t.

Because I didn’t have the freedom she had.

I was stuck in a position I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

I loved a man I couldn’t touch.

I wanted a man I would never have.

My mind raced to places I didn’t want it to. Like, would he have her in his bed? Would she get to love him tonight? Would his name slip from her lips as he made her see stars?

At that moment, I hated everything about me.

And I loved everything about her. Her hair was short and simple. Not messy and always thrown up. Her skin was glowing under the twirling lights and her lips had a smile.

How good it must feel to be this woman I’ve never met.

Because she had him.

My blood ran cold, and my heart slowed down its beat. My bones shivered, and my chest sunk.

It’s been months.

He’s over you.

Did you think he meant those words back at the cabin?

I love you.

This can’t be a man who was in love.

How could he move on so quickly?

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