Page 99 of The One for Me
That’s the only part of this that I can’t allow. I can’t go back to Florida and just live as though I’ve never known what it’s like to love her. There’s no other woman who will ever fill the void that she has. Devney is perfect for me. I’m perfect for her, and losing her is not an option. I’ll find a way, I have to.
She wipes away a tear. “Things have changed for us. In one instant, it all became a new life. I can’t ignore that, and you can’t pretend that you’re not going to have to go.”
“I can take time off.”
“And ruin your career? Come on, Sean. I can’t let you do that any more than you can ask me to change my situation.”
“So this is it?” I ask, feeling panic rising up. “You’re quitting now? When we still have months to figure it out.”
“I’m being realistic. I’m . . . I don’t know.”
I take her hands in mine, pulling them to my chest. “Nothing gets decided now, Dev. You promised we’d wait until three weeks before I leave.”
I hold on to that sliver of hope. If she can adhere to that, then I have some time to figure out a plan.
“I don’t know what is going to change in that time . . .”
“Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. All I know is that I love you, and no matter where our relationship goes, I want to be here for you now. Will you let me?”
I wait, my heart pounding, and my breaths are coming in short bursts.
“As long as you promise that, no matter what the end result is, you’ll accept it.”
“I’ll accept it.” I lie through my teeth because there is only one acceptable end result, and that’s the one where she and I end up together. I tell her what she needs to hear and promise to find a way to make it go my way.
I won’t lose her. Not now, not ever.
Chapter Thirty
Sean
My heart feels empty. That’s all I can say as I sit here at the entrance to the driveway, knowing I will be going to a vacant house.
I had to leave Devney at the hospital so I could come home, grab some stuff, and bring it back. Now, I’m staring at the sign above, hating the name and this place.
I came back because I had to. I’ll leave because I have no choice, and I’ll once again regret the day I stepped foot back in Sugarloaf.
“Fuck the arrow. Fuck saying the truth!” I grip the steering wheel, anger pulsing through me. “Here’s the truth, Mom. I’m going to lose the only person worth loving because of this fucking life that your piece-of-shit husband created for your boys.”
Barreling down the driveway, I almost plow into the two cars parked by the house.
My nosey fucking brothers.
Not in the mood to deal with either of them, I throw open the car door and walk past them.
“Sean, stop!” Declan calls to me, and I flip him off.
“Hey, seriously, what is going on?”
I turn to stare at the both of them. Things are horrible. Things couldn’t be going worse after being so incredibly good. “Everything is falling apart!”
“We came by to check on you and Devney. Sydney was on the phone with her, and I felt you might need a friend.”
“And you’re now a friend?” I ask with acid in my voice.
“I’d like to consider myself more since I’m your fucking brother.” Declan crosses his arms over his chest and waits.
“I’m pissed.”
