Page 27 of Her Exception 3

He nodded but didn’t say anything else. He stayed there, gazing out the window until I left. My feet felt like cement was drying around them as I walked. The further away from him I got, the harder it was to walk. But this was for the best, so why did it hurt so damn bad?

* * *

I was jealous. My family was having the time of their lives with Jeremy, and he was barely acknowledging me. After I told Daddy he declined the invitation, he got his number from Sakura and called him personally. He had the nerve to tell Jeremy what we had going on didn’t have shit to do with them and to bring his ass to the party. So here he was—drinking and smoking with my people without me as if he belonged here.

He looked like he did.

Since the game was over, I decided to make my exit. Slowly, I walked in their direction in the basement my dad had turned into his man cave. The only time he allowed women inside was for family parties like this one.

“All right, y’all, I’m heading out.”

“Jeremy, walk my daughter to her car.”

Jeremy’s smile faded as he briefly stared at my father, causing Sakura and Mama to chuckle, but he nodded his agreement and stood.

“It’s fine. I know ho—”

“Just let the man walk you to your car, Ritz,” Mama said, standing and giving me a hug.

After hugging the rest of my immediate family and telling everyone else goodbye, Jeremy and I headed upstairs out of the basement. His hands were stuffed into his pockets, head hung and eyes avoiding me. It was awkwardly silent until we neared the front door when he finally spoke.

“I hope you’re not leaving early because of me.”

“Oh no, it’s not that,” I lied, happy he was finally sending some energy my way.

“It’s just… I really like your people. Y’all have the kind of connection I wish I had with my parents and sister. But if me being around makes you uncomfortable…”

“It’s fine. Really.”

This was one time I hated he was a man of honor—one who was willing to give me what I needed even if it wasn’t what either of us wanted. Silence found us again until we made it to my car. He reached to open the door, but I shifted in front of the handle so he couldn’t.

“Maritza…”

“Lovie,” I corrected. “I like it better when you call me that.”

He pressed me into my car, palm lifting from my chest to my neck. My eyes lowered and mouth parted instantly.

I loved when he did that.

“Okay, Lovie.”

My eyes squeezed shut and nipples hardened.

“What should I call you?”

Jeremy’s hand lifted to my cheek, causing me to pry my eyes open. “Yours.” He placed a feather-light kiss to my lips that made me weak at the knees. “Even if you’re never mine…” He kissed me again, this time a little harder. “I’ll always be yours.” Wrapping my arms around his neck, I sighed against his lips. “I’ll share you with him. If that’s what you need.”

His declaration touched a place in my soul that had been abandoned for the last ten years. My eyes immediately blurred until tears fell. I wasn’t aware there was a password to unlock my heart, but that was it.

God…that was it.

Lowering him to my lips, I rested firmly against the car. Because, quite frankly, I wasn’t sure I had the strength to stand. “I’m sorry,” I muttered against his lips.

“Shh.” He kissed me again. “I got you now.”

Jeremy’s arms wrapped around me tighter as my legs bent. Silent cries turned into sobs that had me sliding down the car. He didn’t judge me… or leave me. He sat next to me—holding me as I cried over the best love I’d ever known—wondering if Jeremy would be the next love I’d get to experience. If I was going to grant us the honor of giving this a real chance, it wouldn’t be fair to compare him to Matt. That would take some time to process, but if he was willing to wait, I’d make sure I would be worth it.

Nineteen

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