Page 167 of Broken Like This by Bethany

“Of course. I meant it when I said I missed you, too.”

“I’ve been busy lately. There have been a few different people I’ve been working with through the outreach program and… it’s been a lot.”

I nod slowly, inching closer. “How have you been? I’m sure that brings up some complicated feelings.”

“It does,” she says, staring at the sky like she’s begging for the stars to come out. As if reading my mind, she says, “It’s been too long since we’ve made wishes together.”

“It has,” I say. “Anything in particular you want to wish for?”

She smiles brightly, then rests her head on my shoulder. “I can’t tell you, then it won’t come true.”

“I suppose that’s true.”And I have some wishes I’d like to make too.“Good thing I don’t have any other plans tonight.”

“I guess so,” she whispers, nestling into me.

Resting my cheek against her head, memories flood me. So many moments spent like this. Nights under the stars. Mornings on the beach. The sweet stolen moments when I’d tilt her chin and softly kiss her lips. The thing I long to do right now.

Tell her.

Or…

Lifting my head, I sweep my hand over her cheek. Her eyes widen and lock with mine. As I move for her lips, she blinks and puts her hand on my chest.

“Aaron—”

Her phone beeps on the nearby table, and she reluctantly breaks our gaze and checks it.

She was stopping me. But why? She was the one who said she wanted this.

She types out a quick reply on her phone, then looks at me. “I’m sorry. I need to go.” She opens her mouth, but doesn’t say anything before shutting it again and rising from the chair.

“Rae, I—”

She drops a kiss on my cheek. “I promise we’ll do this another night. I—” She looks frustrated as she sighs. “I just have to go.”

Nodding, even though I understand nothing, I say, “Okay, sure. Text me later?”

Jesus, I’m pathetic.

She gives me a tiny a smile as she rushes for the window. “I will. Later, Ace.”

And then she’s gone.

Trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach, I force myself up and head down the stairs.

Needing to work off some of this crazy energy, I head down to Reckless Gym & Training, my mind playing over everything.

Why was she going to stop me? Did she not want to kiss me? Maybe she just wanted to be sure of why. After our anniversary, I can’t blame her. But then she just ran away. I don’t know how to reconnect with her when I barely get any time with her. And now I feel like a pathetic sap.

“Why are you standing on a treadmill, not doing any running?” Andre Barnes asks, stepping in front of the treadmill I’m standing on. “And why do you look like you got hit by a semitruck?” He steps back and takes me in, then smiles. “Nevermind, I know that look. That’s a fucked-up-in-love look.”

My eyes meet his. He’s still smiling brightly at me. He looks across the room at a beautiful brunette in yoga clothes who looks back at him like the sun shines out of his ass.

“Can I give you some advice?” he asks.

I nod, because I need all the help I can get at this point.

“Fight for it. There’s nothing better in this world than love. When you find it, you have to give it your all and then some.” He clamps his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t be the guy lying on the mat, knowing you didn’t give your all in the fight.” He nods at me, slaps me on the shoulder, and walks away. As he goes, he calls back, “Now work out some of that stress.”

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