Page 66 of Forever Yours

I loved this man more than my own happiness. I chose him above myself every single time. But his guilt over Liz was tearing us apart. What happened last night broke something inside me. And the one person I needed most wasn’t there.

For the first time in my life, I was going to choose what was best for me.

I needed to walk away.

I had to put myself first.

I needed to heal.

With tears falling unbidden, I picked up my bag and faced Julien, drinking in his shattered face. My handsome man. The love of my life.

But I wasn’t sure I was his.

My throat constricted when I choked up. “Why can’t you love me like you love her?”

Julien looked stricken. “I do, Elijah. I love you more than I thought possible.”

I wanted to believe him. I wanted to wrap those words around me and drown in them. I wanted the forever he talked about.

He held out his hand, silently begging me to take it. It would be so easy. Just reach out and place my hand in his. Fall back into his arms. Hear him whisper words of love as he made love to my body.

But I didn’t. I couldn’t.

As much as I loved him, I had to love myself more.

And I couldn’t live in Liz’s shadow any longer.

“I love you, Julien Jameson. So damn much. And if you love me, you won’t stop me from walking out that door.”

“Baby, please, no. Elijah. Please,” he cried.

But he didn’t stop me.

Jayson gathered his brother in his arms, his own tears wetting his cheeks. Ryder silently followed me out of the condo, each step feeling like I was wading through wet cement, my heart slamming inside my chest as I heard Julien’s sobs following me into the night.

I don’t remember getting in Ryder’s Hellcat, or the car ride to the hotel.

All I remember is Dad opening the hotel door and me flying into his arms. Safe. Warm. Loved.

“I want to go home.”

CHAPTER 19

Closing my eyes, I breathed in the sweet fragrance given off by the honeysuckle vines that grew along the fence of our backyard. A familiar warm breeze tickled my legs and arms as I reposed in the deck lounger, listening as the frogs croaked out their songs to the accompaniment of crickets and cicadas.

I was home.

And profoundly heartbroken.

I missed Julien so fucking much.

The back screened door creaked open and shut.

“Your dad said it was time for your meds.”

Cracking one eye open, I looked up at Fallon, surprised but not surprised that he was there.

But I asked anyway. “What are you doing here?”

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