Page 95 of The Promises We Break

I glance around the room again, taking in the vision that Ember has brought to life and the people here enjoying it. I’m not surprised when my eye catches a rose gold mask in the crowd, and I don’t need the confirmation of her gorgeous cinnamon hair or emerald eyes that peer through the disguise to know it’s her.

As if she can sense my presence as well, she turns my direction. A smile crawls over her face that she doesn’t even attempt to conceal, and it makes my heart swell to the size of a fucking watermelon.

Jesus, she doeseverythingto me.

I told her once I loved her, and I meant it. But it was in a moment that diminished the seriousness behind it. She never said anything, and I was too much of a pussy to tell her how serious I was in fear of her running.

I have to tell her how I feel tonight. Ourarrangementneeds to end, because that was built on fake feelings and a need of benefit for us both. Neither of which matter anymore.

The only thing that matters is my future with Ember, our future together. And I won’t leave here tonight without telling her exactly how I feel.

48

EMBER

Ididn’t have to see him to know he was here. I sensed him, like I always do when he finds me. This time, when my eyes meet his, there is something deeper behind them. Like he’s drowning and he’s silently asking me to pull him up.

There was a shift after we returned from his parents’ house. He’s been a little more reserved, like he’s trying not to push anything too much. I think he’s being sensitive to the emotional roller coaster I’ve been on the last few weeks. My brothers did end up reaching out to me. Well, Benson and Cody did, claiming my mother and Robert are doing everything in their power to maintain their status.

According to Cody, Robert Riley will be running for governor, and my recent rebellion of leaving home and running off with a stranger from a drunken Vegas marriage was completely unacceptable for his image. His oldest son being gay is completely unacceptable, and he’s attempting to win over Cody and Benson to try to appearnormalto the voters of Missouri.

They failed at that attempt, being that Cody and Benson told me last night they decided to list their homes for sale and move. Cody’s company is willing to transfer him to theirHouston operation, and Benson works remotely, so he can work from anywhere.

I completely broke down and told them how much it hurt me. Neither one reached out those first few days after everything happened, and that left some underlying trauma. I felt so alone, and I never want to feel like the people I care most about can so easily disregard me.

Regardless, I know how challenging and persuasive my parents can be. So, I told them I would come visit when they got settled in Houston, and that would give us a reason to visit Hudson’s parents again.

Hudson overheard me say that last night while on FaceTime with them, and he craned his neck back in shock. I realized it probably wouldn’t be for a couple of months, which is after the baseball season is over, so I can understand his surprise. I quickly backtracked, trying to pull back my words, but I just ended up looking like a blubbering idiot.

I was also still reeling through the conversation with Kari from the night before. Kari is Derek Callahan’s wife, and Hudson’s closest teammate. She’s probably the closest friend I have here, which saddens me because Callahan is retiring this year and she won’t be part of the team anymore.

But neither will I.

The thought has been weighing on me, and I’ve found myself pushing away from, well, everyone. Including Hudson, and I feel like it’s better that way.

Especially after Kari told me that the owner and Coach Raymer are going to offer Hudson a contract. She said she didn’t know anything else, other than it was being negotiated and that Hudson was aware it was coming. He loves the team, loves Seattle, and it’s been such a pipe dream for something like this to happen. I’m shocked he didn’t share it with me the moment he heard.

It is something personal to him that doesn’t involve me afterthe season, but I guess I just saw myself as someone he could confide in.

Now that the club is open and I’ll have some time off, I’m going to start looking for a place and plan a move out date. I think it’s truly for the best, at this point, before things get messier than they already are. We’ve blurred so many lines it’s hard to see any of them now.

I uncomfortably shift my weight in my way too tall heels and excuse myself from the couple that came up to introduce themselves to me. They flew in from California for the opening, being avid in the lifestyle. They were excited to be here, at what they called the club’s maiden voyage.

Shaking their hands, “Thank you for coming. It was so great to meet you guys.” I step in the direction of the bar and glance back over in Hudson’s direction. Like a hawk, his eyes are still on me, watching my every move. I smother a smile and dip my head down with a shyness only he can pull out of me. How one man can make me retreat into myself in the most timid way, but bring out such a powerful woman in the bedroom, I’ll never know.

Goosebumps swarm over my skin as I continue my way across the room.

He looks fucking edible. All black everything, and even though he blends in with the dim room, you can’t miss his presence. It’s colossal and demanding, and I’m drawn to him in every way.

I stop at the bar, placing my empty champagne glass on the bar top, which is instantly replaced by a full one thanks to the amazing bar staff that we’ve hired for the club.

I take a sip, peering over in his direction again. Still he fucking stares, with a smirk only I know. This man.

I shake my head and smile behind the long flute of my champagne glass.

Oh, fuck it. This whole long distance teasing has gone onlong enough. I find my inner tigress and turn in his direction, allowing the mask to give me assertive confidence.

I feel like I’m floating in his direction as I take him in from head to toe.

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