Page 27 of You Loved Me Once
He releases a deep sigh. “When you left, I lost my mind. I was a mess, I wouldn’t talk to anyone, and I went to Houston where no one knew about us. My family followed my lead and...I don’t know, it never came up. I didn’t want it to come up. I loved you with my entire heart and you broke it.”
“I’m sorry, Bryce. I wish I could help you, but I can’t lose my trial. There are other people in this trial to think about. It wouldn’t be fair.”
I see the defeat in his eyes. “You’re right. I thought you, of all people, would understand what it’s like to watch someone you love need help. I’m asking you,” his eyes fill with unshed tears. “I’m asking you not to punish her. I’m begging you to at least think about it. We don’t have to tell her because it’s in the past. We’re in the past and we’ve both moved on. Please, Ren, please don’t do this.”
Our love was the kind people write songs about. We were the love story that writers pen. Two people meeting in the most innocent way, falling in love, and then ripped apart by tragedy.
We had the beginning, the climax, and then the fall, but unlike in fiction, we never were redeemed.
I left as promised and Bryce never followed.
He moves back farther and everything inside of me is conflicted. “I can’t...”
“Please, just think about it tonight,” Bryce says as he disappears around the corner, leaving me stunned.
Chapter 7
Seventeen Years Earlier
“Hi,” a deep voice rumbles behind me. I put up my hand to dismiss the idiot who will only ruin my buzz. “I just thought we should meet.”
I shake my head, uninterested in whatever he’s selling. “No thanks.”
“Well, considering you’re going to be my wife. It would probably be best that we get the pleasantries out of the way.”
I turn with my mouth agape. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” the stranger says.
“I’m sorry, who the hell are you?” I ask looking him over. The first thing that captures my attention is his eyes. They’re light blue with green swirls, but more than that he looks at me like he knows all my secrets.
We stare at each other for a beat, taking each other in.
My best friend, Laura, starts to laugh.
Neither of us speaks, yet I’ve never felt so in tune with someone. “I said I’m going to marry you one day.” He shrugs as though it’s something you say daily. “Just thought we should meet before the wedding.”
I smirk, and take a sip of my beer. “You’re pretty sure of this, huh?”
“Well, I’m sure that I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you before,” his smile grows, and mine does as well.
“Oh, God,” Laura begins to laugh. She grabs her drink, downs it, and then gets up. “You should sit. I have a feeling you’re only getting started.” She pats him on the back, and heads to the dance floor.
“Well, since we’re apparently getting married, maybe you’d like to tell me your name?” I ask.
“Bryce Peyton. It’s a pleasure to meet you...” he trails off. For the first time, I catch a little glimpse of a twang, but it’s not prominent unless you’re listening closely.
“Serenity Adams.”
“That’s a beautiful name.”
I shrug. Truth is, I hate my name. My parents said the minute my mother held me, she had an overwhelming sense of serenity. She also could’ve been smoking pot through her whole pregnancy, but I never understood what she meant until right now. The minute Bryce sat down I felt a sense of calm wash over me. It was like my life suddenly clicked into place. Two halves forming into a whole. He completes me and I don’t even know him.
“So, Bryce Peyton, future husband of mine...what are you doing here?” I try to play indifferent, but I can’t stop looking at him. His brown hair hangs slightly into his eyes, and without permission my fingers lift and brush it to the side. I draw my hand back, embarrassed, but Bryce takes my hand in his. “Sorry,” I say, feeling awkward.
“Don’t be.” He squeezes my hand. “Honestly.”
“Is there any valid reason to start our predestined marriage off on a lie?” I reply playfully.
