Page 39 of Chasing the Wild
I couldn't speak. Could barely breathe.
"Sam." Neil shook me slightly. "Can you do that?"
"Yes," I managed. "Yeah. I can do that."
"Good." He released me. "Then go. She's here."
Through the window, I watched her car door open.
"What if she doesn't want to stay?" The fear came out raw. "What if she just came to tell me she's done?"
"Then you respect that," Shane said quietly. "But brother? People don't drive across the country with all their belongings to tell you they're done."
I was moving before I could think, my legs carrying me out the door, a thousand apologies ready on my tongue.
I was wrong. I love you. I'll wait. I'll compromise.
The car door opened wider.
And there she was.
Chapter 12
Jess
I opened the car door and stepped out, my legs shaking so badly I had to grip the door frame for support.
Sam stood frozen, staring at me like I might disappear if he blinked.
He looked wrecked—unshaven, exhausted, wearing clothes that looked slept in for days. His hair was wild, and even from here I could see the dark circles under his eyes.
He looked absolutely perfect.
His brothers took one look at the scene, exchanged glances, and quietly headed for their trucks. Kevin caught my eye as he passed, gave a small nod, then they were gone. Engines starting, pulling away, leaving us alone.
Just me and Sam and three weeks of mistakes between us.
"Hi," I finally managed.
Sam didn't move. Didn't speak. Just stared at me with those ice-blue eyes that had haunted every moment since I'd left.
"I quit my job," I said. "Told Belinda where she could shove her partnership. Broke my lease. Drove across the country with everything I own." I met his eyes. "I'm not going back, Sam. I'm staying in Vermont. Whether or not you want me here."
His expression was unreadable. "Why?"
"Because you were right." My voice shook. "I'm done living for other people's expectations. Done being so scared of not being enough that I forget to actually live."
"That's good, Jess. That's really good." But his voice was guarded. "But that still doesn't explain why you're here. At my cabin."
This was it. No more running. No more hiding behind logic and strategy.
"Because I love you," I said simply. "Because I've been miserable every second since I left. Because I choose you, Sam. I'm just three weeks late doing it."
"You left," he said quietly. "I asked you to stay and you left."
"I know." Tears were streaming down my face now. "And I'm so sorry. I was scared and stupid and I convinced myself I needed to be responsible when what I really needed was to be brave enough to burn my bridges for you."
"Jess—"
