Page 106 of I Promise You
Alas, a tear falls down her cheek, and like a moth to a flame, I rub it away with my thumb. I hate seeing her cry. I rub it until it turns into nothing, and she closes her eyes, as a small grin appears, followed by a soft, sweet hum like she’s enjoying my touch.
Fuck.
Then she does something that has me questioning if I’m dreaming. My muscles tighten as she stops right in front ofmy face. She’s about to kiss me, and she closes her eyes tight, sniffling. But I don’t feel her come through. It’s all in my head. She wasn’t going to kiss me… I’m almost begging for it when I know it’s morally wrong to.
“Kane…I’m tired,” she whispers.
“You’re tired? Let’s get you to bed then because—” she stops me from continuing.
“Kane,” she tells me again, choking up. “I’m tired of crying. I’m tired of everything.” Then she opens her eyes again, wide with watery red eyes like she’s begging me to take her pain away and her lips tremble.
I wish I could. I really do. It makes me ache to see her like this. I can’t handle it.
I pull her into my chest, hugging her tight. She doesn’t fight me. Instead, she holds on to me in return.
“I miss him, Kane. I love him… I love Danny so much.” She chokes out and sobs, but they’re soft and low, and I don’t say anything. I can’t do it. But what I can do is hold her like she needs to be held. And with each tear, with each innocent caress, time passes by with tortured emotions for the next hour as I rub her back until she falls asleep.
I carry Ari to bed when I feel like it is the right time. When all I wanted to do was stay like that with her in my arms until morning…or forever.
I’ll take both.
I open the wrong doors twice before I finally find her bedroom. I don’t turn on the light, afraid it’ll wake her. It’s not hard to find her bed in the darkness.
She groans in my arms, but she’s in too deep to wake up. The wine has gotten to her system, so I make sure to position her on her stomach.
I cover her up after laying her down gently, tucking her in with her bedsheets. I make sure her cheek lays softly on the pillow and her hair falls over her face when I do. Before I turn around to leave, I spot the newborn shoes I bought for her and Grim’s baby on the nightstand with the onesie he got. When I see it, it takes me back to the horrid day I watched her die.
This girl deserves better…and I want to give her that if she ever gave me the chance.
30
ARI
It’s January. I should be happy. I shouldn’t be at a fucking winter-themed military ball. But how could I turn down Violet’s offer? If she needs me, I will always be there for her. This is our last night together before she’s back in Texas.
I want to get so drunk that I can’t walk or think straight anymore. I don’t want to feel the grief I’ve been feeling all year—only the gratification of losing myself. I don’t even want to think about the horrible things I said to my ex-boyfriend.
Shiny, glittering chandeliers hang from the ceiling as we walk toward the ballroom. The light brown colored walls have paintings of vintage couples in love. The lighting is warm yellow with candles everywhere.
It’s beautiful. Like a European kingdom.
The ballroom is decorated with snow on the floor. A massive dark green winter tree so tall it almost touches the high ceilings. A star at the top shines bright, glimmering golden specks as it twirls in circles. Snowflakes bounce off the ceilings, floors, and walls.
Music plays loud and smooth. I smile as Violet hooks her arm with mine and smiles as well.
“I love military balls when they go out like this. They’re usually shitty,” Violet jokes into my ear before returning to Zeke’s arm.
We take in our surroundings. Tables are set on either side of the dance floor.
Sailors in their blue dress uniform, everywhere.
They all look the same—it’s comical.
Every man blends in with each other…except one.
Grim Reaper.
I stop breathing. My chest thuds unevenly rough, and I’m hot.
