Page 100 of Breathless

She huffs out a breath. “Jesus, Logan. Don’t you think you could’ve told me that at the coast? Why wouldn’t you just tell methen?”

“You’re right. You’re totallyright.”

An uncomfortable silence draws out between us until she finally says, “This isn’t why I came here.” She rubs her stitches along her hairline. “I didn’t intend to get into all of this again. I know, at least in my head, that you did all of this for Bev. That you were protecting her confidence, which I respect. I’m just… I understand it in my mind, but my heart doesn’t want to catch up. Does that make sense? And on top of everything else, the only emotion I’m feeling these days is anger or this weird detachment. I can’t explainit.”

“You don’t have to.” I take her hand, relieved as hell that she lets me. “You’ve been through alot.”

“Kat suggested I see a therapist.” She hesitates. “Kat and my cousin have been talking and trying to find me someone. InFlorida.”

My heart sinks like a stone. “You’re going back toFlorida?”

“Don’t you think that’s for the best? After the wedding, I’ll go back, and you can figure out what you want now that you’re not dealing with somuch.”

A fierce wall of frustration and love wells up in me. “I know what I want, Josephine. I don’t need time to figure it out.” The conviction in my voice must catch her off guard because her eyes widen. I don’t tone down my intensity because I don’t want her to think I’m confused. “I love you. You’re fucking wrecking me right now. I know I’ve been an ass, and I would like the opportunity to make it up to you, to prove that you can trust me, before you decide to run awayagain.”

Her nostrils flare, and she yanks her hand out of mine. “I’m not running away. I’m sitting here discussing it withyou.”

“But the end result is the same.” I know I’m being a dick, but if I lose her because of this, I’ll regret it forever. And for some reason, I feel the need to challenge her, even if it pisses heroff.

She’s not the fragile, delicate Joey I’ve always made her out to be. She took a damn beating last week, came back like a champ, and now there’s steel behind her gray eyes. “Fucking fight for this, Jo. Don’t give up on me. On us. I know I screwed up badly, but I swear I’ll do right by you. Stay here, and challenge me like you always do. Let’s make a lifetogether.”

She stills. “Don’t say things you don’tmean.”

“Why do you think I don’t meanthem?”

“You feel guilty because I got injured. Don’t confuse that for somethingdeeper.”

“You want deeper? I would’ve taken that bullet right fucking here for you.” I pound my chest. “When I thought you were dying, Jo, when I found you pale and covered in blood and not moving? I was so fucking scared. I knew right then and there I’d do anything to have you back, no matter the cost. So you need more time? Fine. You want me to prove myself to you? No problem. But don’t think for a minute I’m letting you go.” A frustrated breath leaves me. “Do what you got to do. If that means returning to Florida, fine, but know I’m gonna be right behindyou.”

Her eyes soften. “You’renuts.”

“Damn straight. I’m fucking crazy about you, Josephine MarieGrayson.”

Her lips pull up slightly in the faintest of smiles, but then that somberness returns to her expression. “And Zach? Are you dragging him to Floridatoo?”

I shove my hand into my hair. “You never told me what you thought about him moving in with me.” I called and left a message after I’d discussed it with Ethan. I didn’t want Joey thinking I left her out of the loop again. “I haven’t talked to the kid yet, ’cause if you’re really opposed to him living with me permanently, well…” Anxiety riddles up my spine at the thought she’ll hate thisidea.

“Of course he should stay with you. He knows you better than anyone else,right?”

I nod, the relief swift. And just that little bit of understanding from her fills me with hope, hope that we can connect again. Hope that I can get her to trust me once more. Leaning closer, I cup her face and draw her to me so I can kiss herforehead.

“Give me a chance. Justone.”

That’s all I’llneed.

47

Logan

Ethan’squiet as we finish up in the barn for the day. For once in our lives, he hasn’t been giving me shit thisweek.

It’sunsettling.

I wouldn’t say he’s giving me the silent treatment. He seems preoccupied. Given that his wedding, the one day he’d been looking forward to for months, got postponed, I’m not surprised his easy smiles havedisappeared.

“Bro. Wanna get out of here and maybe grab a beer?” I wipe my hands on an old towel. “Mytreat.”

“Not really in the mood, but thanks.” He cleans the tack methodically, the way our father taughtus.

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