Page 134 of I Got You

“You’re right.”

“Damn straight I am!” Mark sighs. “Man, I’d give anything…my career, the money, all of it, to have one more chance with Lex. Don’t make the same mistake I did and let the best, most important thing slip away because you're too scared to do something about it. She’s chosen you over and over again. What more does she need to do to show you that she’s not going anywhere?”

“Nothing. I can’t lose her. I won’t. Man...I can’t live without her.”

Mark laughs. “Good, because let me tell you, living without the one person you can’t live without is like walking around trying to breathe underwater. It’s suffocating, agonizing, and a kind of pain that will never go away. And we know pain, Shane.” He takes a breath. “So what are you going to do about it?”

“Can I stay with you? I’ve got the kids for a couple nights, and then I’ll catch a flight.”

He laughs. “Yes. Get your ass here and finally get your girl.”

∞∞∞

ME: Are you ok?

MAGGIE: Yeah. Window seat for the win.

ME: You’ve got this.

MAGGIE: Yeah. We’ll see. Don’t worry.

ME: I’m not. I know you. You’re going to kick ass and take names.

MAGGIE: ***Kicking leg emoji*** ***Donkey emoji***

Chapter 54

MAGGIE

This is it. It’s time. The lights around my mirror are almost blinding as I check myself one last time. I take the ice pack off my ankle and wrap it tightly, needing it to hold.

The past three days have been endless. I think I’ve slept a total of twelve hours since arriving, and I’m exhausted. I’m running on adrenaline, and when this is over, I’m going to crash.

“Maggie, ten minutes,” someone calls from the door.

I slip on my gold strappy heels that will be my shoes for the first few routines. My ring catches the light, and the thought of Shane sends a wave of longing through me, missing him and wishing he were here. We’ve talked each night, and he’s filled me in on everything happening at home, but he left last night for his interview. My already turbulent stomach dips at the thought.

I’ve pushed thoughts of Ohio from my mind, unable to bear the thought of him leaving or expecting us to maintain a relationship across states and time. We could do it, but he has to want it. He has to be able to say it, and it has to be more than the paperwork we signed.

My solo tonight is going to be the hardest. I’ve poured my soul into it, which would make my mom proud. She always said to hold nothing back and leave nothing unsaid. So I’m giving it all I’ve got, especially in the message I want to relay. I wish she were here. My dad, too.

I know video of the entire show will spread across social media the minute it’s over. I only hope that I can do it justice.

I take a deep breath and check my phone quickly before leaving my dressing room.

SHANE: Break a leg, Firefly. You’ve got this, and I got you.

Tears blur the words, and I have to shove them down, or they might not stop. It’s the first time he’s said it. I want to believe it means what I want it to mean, but I know better than to make assumptions.

I adjust my dress and head toward the stage. I say a quick prayer that I’ll make it through this and that Shane finds the life that will make him happy, whether with me or without.

I find Danny standing and waiting. He takes my hand and squeezes it. “You ready to kill it?"

I smile. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

Chapter 55

SHANE

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