Page 30 of Always You
Baby, I’ll fight for you, for us.
I might not have tried as hard as I wish I would have, but I’ll fight tooth and nail this time. I’ll grovel on my knees, asking for a chance, pleading for you to take me back. To prove to her I’m the same man. I’ll be a better man for her and Dante. To be a damn good father, the father I never had. I sound like a pussy, but I’ll do anything to earn her trust and love again. Even if it means begging on my knees, worshiping the ground she walks on, making love to her day and night. A woman like Mila deserves the world. She’s one in a million. I won’t let that prick take her from me. She’s mine.
“Hey, Andrew, my man, long time no see,” I said as I embraced my buddy in a bro hug.
Andrew runs the Rock ‘N’ Roll Tattoo Shop. His towering frame is covered in a full set of sleeve tattoos on both arms. Andrew arranged his long black hair in a tight ponytail, and his face is etched with a permanent frown. But for all of his gruff exterior, he’s an amazingly skilled artist and a cool dude. Santiago and Andrew have been long-time, good friends since high school.
“It's been a while, man; do you know what you’re getting?”
“My son’s name on my forearm–Dante,” I reply.
He raises an eyebrow in surprise. “I didn’t know you had a son.”
I let out a loud breath before I say, “I just found out when I ran into my ex from five years ago. It's a long story.”
He nods in understanding, and forty minutes later, I leave with Dante's name etched into my arm. Pride swells in my chest at the thought of having a son.
I pass a couple of shops in the market plaza. I jerk my head back so fast it causes whiplash. Hearing the most beautiful laugh sends chills down my spine, a laugh I recognize. Observing who’s making her laugh sends a pang of jealousy to my chest. At an ice cream shop, I notice asshole, pretty boy Ken sitting with my girl and boy. Clenching my fist, I feel the burning sensation in my chest. I yearn to make her laugh and see her smile. I long to say goodnight and press a kiss to her forehead. I ache to be close to her, embracing her in my arms. Fuck, I wish I could hit him hard in the face.
She’s mine, my boy, my family.I’m going to fight to get them back. To win her heart.
Angel, baby! I’m coming for you;I’m taking what’smine.I don’t fucking share.
nine
MILA
Ihead toward Brian, the sound of waves crashing on the shore filling my ears. I sent him a text last night, asking if he still wanted to go surfing. Today is my birthday and I woke up at the crack of dawn, eager to catch some waves.
“Good morning, pretty girl.” His perfect lopsided smile graces his face and my heart thumps unsteadily. He drinks in my profile: my shorts-shorts, lowcut sports bra and my midsection.
“Good morning, Brian.”
His lips press onto mine. “I’m guessing Dante’s not a morning person?”
I love how he’s always asking about Dante. This is the main reason I find myself wanting more of him.
“Nope, that little stinker is still asleep. Sophie offered to watch him and drop him off at school.”
He chuckles. Hoisting his surfboard onto his shoulder, we begin trudging through the sand toward the shore. Brian pulls his shirt off over his head, revealing the sun-kissed skin of his chest and abdomen. His bright blue eyes twinkle in the light reflecting off of the rolling waves, and a few strands of golden blond hair falls messily in front of one. Leaning forward, I brush the strands of hair to the side. His eyes are on my lips as he lifts my chin so that my face is tilted up.
“From the very first day, I saw you walk into the coffee shop, I wanted to ask you out. That smile, those beautiful green eyes captured me. Every day I was eager to see you stroll through the door.” He pecks my lips.
I don’t know what to say. I’m so inexperienced in dating. My eyelashes flutter.
“Brian,” I whisper.
He smiles.
“Let’s do this before we have to head on to work, pretty girl.”
“All right, let me remind you, I’m pretty rusty right now. It’s been a long time.”
“Don’t worry I got you.”
A light breeze passes through us, causing strands of hair to stick to my cheek. Removing the scrunchy from my wrist, I tie my hair into a tight ponytail. Dipping my feet into the cold water, I shiver.
“Do you mind if I’m on the board with you to help guide you? Once we get further out, I’ll jump off.”
