Page 146 of Covenant

HeisWyatt. He’s shouldering through the crowd toward me, a fierce determination burning in his gaze. His wide shoulders are clad in the navy suit I bought him for the previous event. The one that hung forlornly in the closet next to my things. He never took it with him.

But he’s here. I have no idea how or why, but Wyatt ishere.

I spy the crooked tilt of his tie and want to weep.

Once, I could’ve fixed that for him. Not now though.

He’s no longer mine to touch.

But, for some reason, he’s walking straight toward me.

I don’t know how to react or what to do. I’ve heard from him only once since he walked out of my office. A photo of us as teenagers that I’d forgotten existed. Our faces had been alight with youthful joy and optimism. Even through the screen, our connection had shone through.

It felt like Wyatt was taunting me.See what we were? See what you ruined? This is all on you.

I never responded. I couldn’t. He was right. I have fucked everything up. Every step of the way, I’ve chosen wrong where Wyatt was concerned.

He deserves so much better than me. It’s why I told him to leave that day.

It’s why I’ve stayed away every day since.

I’m frozen to the spot as he strides toward me. Cade squeezes my shoulder as Dalton whispers in my ear, “Let yourself be happy, Matthias.”

With that, the two of them melt away into the crowd.

Then Wyatt is standing before me. His certainty hasn’t wavered, but something seems to crumple in him as he looks me over. “Can we talk? Somewhere more private?”

I swallow so loudly that it’s surely audible to everyone in the room.

“You want to talk?” I manage to ask, my voice rough.

Wyatt nods stiffly. “So long as you promise no more lies.”

I wince. I deserve that. “I promise. I’ll never lie to you ever again.”

I mean it too. Everything fell apart because of lies and half-truths. If I want Wyatt back in my life, even just as a friend, we have to start with a better foundation.

And if he walks away again tonight? Then at least I know that all cards have been shown.

He gestures toward the door, and I follow him silently. Fresh air hits me as we step outside onto the patio. I try desperately not to think of the last time we were here, when he told me he’d never break.

What a fool. We are both fools given how broken we are now.

“I…” My voice cracks so I clear my throat and try again. “I didn’t think I’d see you here tonight.”

“I figured.” He steps closer, and I shy away. I can’t let him touch me. I can’t. I’ll fall to pieces and I don’t want him to see that. I don’t want him to see me so weak. “Something tells me you didn’t plan on seeing me anywhere.”

I build up walls with steady breaths. I can do this. I can get through this conversation and then I’ll beg Wylder to send me out to do something dangerous and reckless enough to let me forget, even for a few minutes. “It’s…it’s too hard. Our deal is done now. Why revisit it?”

“Matt…” Wyatt’s hand touches my chin, and I feel him pierce my soul. “Look at me.”

I wince and whisper, “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s too hard,” I say. “It reminds me of what I did. How I manipulated you and took advantage of you when you were vulnerable.”

Those words of Wyatt’s have haunted me. I throw them back at him now, a reminder of what I did. I’m not even sure why I say it. Maybe it’s to see him walk away. To force him to leave.

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