Page 91 of Untamed

I was always going to tell Mila the truth of my past, but it wasn’t the right time. Hell, we’d never defined our relationship, and I was always too busy trying to keep her at arm’s length. It isn’t a fairytale, but the gossip surrounding me is blown out of proportion. Yes, I went to prison for assault, but it was in self-defense.

In my drunken state, the drifter—my would-be attacker—saw me as an easy target. He followed me out into a dark parking lot where I’d planned to sleep off the alcohol in my truck. Like a coward, he struck me from behind, kicking me to the ground before pulling a gun on me, and demanding the keys for my truck.

I was in a dark place, having just lost my career, Annabeth, and the baby. I had nothing to lose. Without thinking, I tackled him to the ground. In his shock, the gun flew from his hand. In a fit of rage, I just kept punching. I hit him repeatedly, until he was unconscious. It wasn’t until someone pulled me off him that the fog cleared, and I realized the depth of what I’d done.

It’s fucked up that I even served time, considering I was only defending myself, but a jury convicted me and I spent a couple of years in a correctional facility for assault. But looking back, I can see that it was something I needed. It forced me to get sober and put my life back on track. I’m not ashamed of where I’ve been. I always intended to tell Mila, I was just waiting for the right moment.

Our time together was always clouded by fear of getting caught. So when we were alone it was mostly consumed by lust, tearing each other’s clothes off. We were too frantic in our desire for each other. Though we had many meaningful conversations, I wasn’t ready to talk about that part of my life. I can only hope I get the chance to explain myself before Lincoln spins his version of events.

I hit dial on Mila’s number again. It rings once before going to voicemail. My teeth grind, my fists clench, the urge to hit something consuming me. I haven’t felt this out of control in a long time, and I hate how it makes me feel.

I pull up our text thread, my fingers flying over the screen.

Me: Call me, Sunshine. I need to know you’re okay.

I place my phone on the nightstand, and cross the room to the mini fridge, grabbing a bottle of water and downing it in one go. Tossing the empty bottle in the trash, I return to the bed, sitting on the edge and picking up my phone to check for a reply.

There isn’t one.

A frustrated growl escapes as I toss the device down on the bed and lie down. Staring at the ceiling, I try to will Mila to reach out. Minutes tick by, then an hour. Another hour. Annoyance crawls under my skin, settling like a living, breathing thing. This is fucking bullshit. Mila surely knows how I’m feeling right now. The least she could do is ease my mind.

Maybe her father took her phone. Or maybe she knows the truth and is disgusted by you,a voice whispers in my head.

I push myself up to sit, huffing a laugh. I didn’t even consider the first possibility. I pray that it’s that; Lincoln is being an asshole and took her phone so she can’t contact me. Mila’s an adult and it’s bullshit, but I’d rather that than her hearing my past from someone else and being too disgusted to even look at me.

With a growl, I push off the bed, slip my boots back on and grab my truck keys from the side table. I’m done waiting. Done sitting here, stewing in my own toxic thoughts. Lincoln thinks he can keep Mila from me. He’s wrong. She’s mine and there is nothing in this world I won’t do to keep her by my side. I’ve already proven that by blowing my life up. I just hope it wasn’t too late, that it was enough for Mila to see that I am committed to us.

The thought of her having second thoughts, not wanting us... I shake my head. No, I can’t go there. Mila isn’t like that. She loves me. She wanted to protect me. And, unlucky for her, I’d rather die than have her pretend to be with Brandon. She might be mad about how I handled things but, in the end, she’ll see it was for the best.

I’m not sure what the logistics of our relationship are or where we go from here, but I’m certain of one thing—her. If I have to follow her to school and take some shitty job I couldn’t care less about, just to keep us together, then I will. I just want her. Call me a pussy, call it unhealthy, I don’t care. It is what it is, and Mila is mine. I just hope she chooses me when it really matters.

No one has ever chosen me. Not my parents. Not Annabeth. The women I fucked only used me—just to say they fucked a rodeo champion. And Annabeth? She just wanted the title of being my girlfriend. The minute things got tough; she left without a second thought. I wasn’t perfect and I didn’t help thesituation, but I see now that everything in my life happened for a reason and that reason is Mila.

I yank the door of my room open, and head down to my truck. Time is of the essence and everything in me is screaming to go get her. Good thing Skylar let me know what hotel they’re staying at.

I cross the parking lot and quickly open the door, sliding into the driver’s seat.

Starting the ignition, my heart pounds in my chest with the realization of what I’m about to do. I just hope everything turns out the way I want it to.

My woman, in my arms.

Choosing me.

Choosing us.

Because I chose her, consequences be damned.

My world has gone up in flames for the second time in my life. But this time, I purposely lit the match.

I just hope I didn’t make the biggest mistake of my life.

Chapter Fifty-Five

MILA

Laying on my back, I stare at the ceiling as tears leak down my cheeks. My mind races, replaying everything that happened today. Colter exposing us, my father’s reaction, my brother. Brandon… It was all avoidable. And yet, I can’t help the smile curving my lips when I think of how Colter publicly declared his love for me. He gave me his hat. Everyone knows the hat rule… and Colter gave me his. Not only shocking the shit out of me, but every person at that arena. It was so damn swoony, seeing him like that after so much uncertainty.

“You okay?” Nova asks, as she steps out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her body.

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