Page 49 of A Touch of Heaven

He drops my hands and turns away, walking over to the window and staring out onto the beach.

“But there’s something there with my brother, right?” he says bitterly.

I’m breaking his heart right now, and I hate it. I walk over to him slowly.

“This isn’t about Chase. It’s about us.”

“That’s not a no, Brooke. You love him, not me.”

I swallow hard, putting my hand on his arm, and he shrugs it off.

“I do love you, just not like that.”

His voice raises as he throws his arms up.

“God, I should have known. You’re just like every other girl, Brooke. Always wanting what’s bad for you! You’ll never learn. You’ll never see the right guy for you, even if he’s stood right in front of you because you’re too busy looking at the wrong guy. I thought you were different, but you’re not, are you?”

I take a step back, shocked at the change in him. His words cut me deep. I know he’s hurting, but I never expected him to attack me like this.

“I told you it’s not about him. This is about you and me, Nate. There’s no reason to be cruel.”

His eyes narrow at me as he takes another step toward me. He grabs my wrist, holding me there as he glares into my eyes.

“Cruel?” he shouts. “Cruel is kissing me, telling me you pick me when the whole time you’re in love with another guy, Brooke. Why even bother telling me you want to give us a chance if you had no intention of following it through?”

“You asked me to,” I say softly.

“Of course, you’re the good little girl, Brooke. Always doing what she’s told, right?” he scoffs. He lets go of my wrists, walking over to the window and turning his back on me.

I’ve never seen Nate like this.

I never wanted to hurt him the way I am now.

“I’m sorry,” I say, watching him.

“Just go, Brooke. I can’t be near you right now. My brother comes back, and you give up on us straight away. You’re not the girl I thought you were, and it hurts too much to be around you!”

A tear falls down my cheek. “Nate, please,” I whimper.

He turns and looks at me, walks over, and wipes the tear away. For a minute, we just gaze at each other. I can see the pain in his eyes, and I hate that I’m the cause of it. He lifts his hands up as if he’s going to pull me into a hug, but he drops them, taking a step back.

“I’m sorry, Brooke, but I can’t. I won’t make you feel better because you feel guilty. Please leave.” He turns his back on me, walking back to the window as if I’m not even in the room anymore.

“I knew it would hurt you, Nate, but I never thought you would be so dreadful to me. You say I’m not the girl you thought I was. Well, you’re not the guy I thought you were either.”

I back away to the door, finding the handle behind my back and twisting it. Stepping out and closing it behind me. I hear something smash as he curses, and it makes me jump. Loud music begins to blare from the room. I stand there looking at the door for what seems like forever before turning away and heading out to the porch.

I take a moment to breathe, looking at the ocean, wondering if we will ever get past this. I’ve never seen him so hurt, and I know he feels like I’ve betrayed him. Earlier, I decided I couldn’t live without Chase in my life.

But can I live without Nate?

What if he ends this?

Never wanting to talk to me again?

I feel like I could die right now. I think a part of me did in that room the moment he told me to leave.

“Princess.”

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