Page 116 of For the Promise

I can’t imagine a life without Blossom in it. Her smiles that light up a room, her goofy pranks, her ability to make friends with everyone she meets. She doesn’t care how much of a nerd I am. She teases me about it until I kiss her. And then she explodes with passion.

It’s a passion I want to experience every night for the rest of my life. While spending my days with her. Damn. Rhett’s right. I do love her. And Eli’s right, too. I was afraid she’d leave me.

So, I pushed her away. I ignored her for two days, knowing how much it hurt her. And then I declared my intention to get an annulment when what I actually want is to stay married to her until we’re old and gray.

Eli grins. “He’s getting it.”

“What do I do?” I ask. “I can’t lose her.”

Kai shoves me out of my seat. “Go after her. Chase her. Show her you chose her.”

I scan the bar. “Where did she go?”

I was asking my brothers, but practically everyone in the bar points to the rear hallway. I don’t hesitate. The crowd parts for me as I run to the hallway.

The restrooms, Harper’s office, and a storage room are here. I ignore the restrooms and the office. The storage room has a secret exit. I bet she’s there. When I place my ear against the door, I hear muffled voices. Found you.

I knock. “Blossom! Can we talk?”

I wait a few moments but when she doesn’t respond, I knock again. “Blossom. Can we talk, please?”

She still doesn’t respond, so I try the door. It’s locked. Should I ask one of my brothers to pick the lock? Before I can decide, I hear a shuffle. Shit. She’s escaping through the back door.

I phone her, knowing she can’t stand to ignore a call but I guess she can make an exception when it’s me, since she doesn’t answer.

I bang on the door. “Blossom!”

The door flies open but it’s not Blossom. Dakota and Paisley glare at me.

“Where did she go? I need to make this right.”

Dakota crosses her arms over her chest. “You hurt her. I don’t care if you’re my boyfriend’s brother. I’m going to hurt you in return.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“Have you realized your mistakes?” Paisley asks, and I nod. “And you’re ready to fight for her? She needs someone to fight for her.”

“I’m ready.” And I am ready. I was a fool who treated her poorly because I was afraid. I should have spoken to her and explained my fears.

“She’s at Prohibition Beach.”

“Prohibition Beach?” Shit. It’s the beach we had Eli’s sixteenth birthday party at before Dad left us. I never go there. I don’t want the reminder. But losing Blossom is not an option.

Paisley squeezes my shoulder. “Fight for her, Jaxon. Show me I made the right decision in telling you where she is. Because she’s going to give me a load of shit for it.”

“I will.” I motion to the secret exit. “Lock up after me?”

I don’t wait for her agreement before rushing to the whiskey bottle and pulling it forward. There’s a click before the fake wall moves out of the way to reveal the secret exit. I rush outside and down the alley.

People wave and greet me as I run to the boardwalk but I ignore them. I need to hurry. I have to get to Blossom.

When I reach Prohibition Beach, there’s a lone figure huddled on the sand near the shore. “Blossom,” I call as I approach.

She stands to face off with me. Her cheeks are stained with tears and her eyes are puffy and bloodshot from crying. Fuck. I did this to her. I hurt her.

“I’m sorry.”

She leans her head back and shouts to the sky. “Enough with the sorry. It didn’t mean anything when my parents died. It doesn’t mean anything now.”

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