Chapter
Warmth slides through my body. It’s energizing on a cellular level.
Hands begin to roam down my back, cupping my bottom, my chest crushed against his.
Rya?” Instantly I back away from Clayton while I look at Dallas. He can’t hide his devastation from my eyes.
“Dallas, I can explain.”
“What can you explain, Rya? Tell me. How can you explain this?” I can taste his hurt. His
emotions wash over me as if I am a break wall.
believed you, Rya. I believed everything you said to me. Now.” He shakes his head to
himself
Clayton steps away from me, sliding past Dallas.
You’re a liar, Rya.” He turns his back on me, walking away.
Running after him, I beg him to wait and listen to me. He doesn’t. He just keeps walking away, growling low in his throat.
“Wait, don’t leave, Dallas.” I beg and plead, trying to grab onto his shirt for him to stop.
“No, Rya, it wasn’t a mistake. The mistake was in me thinking somehow I had a chance with
you
“Dallas, stop. Just listen to me for a minute.” I’m shaking because I know how much I just screwed up. I’ve ruined everything.
“Dallas, wait, don’t go. My heart pounds so hard that I think it will explode.
Tm an idiot,” he says to himself, shaking his head.
Chap 102
Watching him drive away from me leaves me with an emptiness that shakes me to shy cor
Dallas
She’s outside the car Carson and I have been packing as soon as I got home from her house I need to leave now.
“Rya, you need to stop.” I pry her hands off the car door. This is killing me inside
“Please don’t go without me. I’m so sorry. It was a mistake. I don’t know why I did that. Please, just listen to me.” I have to pry her fingers to let go of my door. Still, she tries to hang
- on.
“Carson, let’s go.” He needs to drive me home because I can’t drive at the moment. He’s got tears in his eyes as he starts the car.
“Rya, you need to stop this. You’re making it worse than it has to be” She’s crying so hard, I can hardly understand what she’s saying
“Please just listen to me. I just need a chance to explain what happened.” Desperate pleas tumble out of a desperate mouth.
“I thought you said that you didn’t know what happened. How can you explain it to me then?” she stumbles for words, to find the right things to say.
“You can’t have the both of us, so I’m making it easier for you. Stay here and try to work it out with your mate. Give him a chance. Obviously, you two have some things that need to be worked out, and I’m glad that this happened, because if I were to mark you, I would be forever tormented by this unfinished business with him. The what if’s would kill me Inside I have no what if’s. I only can see you now. My path is clear, unlike yours.” She’s trying with all her might to keep the door open between us.
Please, Dallas, please don’t do this. It was a mistake; I realize this now.” Her voice shaking like her entire body.
ol, you just realize this now. What about the times I asked you if you were sure with what you wanted? I believed you, but now I don’t believe anything you have to say to me.” She stills, her eyes looking at me with tears that won’t stop.
“I never lied to you Dallas, ever.”
Chapter 111
“Then you were lying to yourself, Rya. I think that’s even worse.”
“Please
‘t do this, not like this. I love you, Dallas. I love you so much. I need you.”
“Stop it, Rya, stop. You’re making this hard.” She tries to pull the car door open fully, but I won’t let her. I’m prying her fingers away that are anchored onto the steel frame. Giving her a shove, so she falls on the ground, I close and lock the door. She scrambles up, pounding her fists against the window. Her words are muffled, but her eyes hold nothing
But despair.
My gut is all twisted up and turning sideways inside myself. I feel as if I could throw up with what I’m seeing.
“Go, Carson.” I can hardly say the words.
Feeling the car lurch forward, we pull away from this pack, from her, and go toward my home. Looking back, she’s on her knees holding the ground in her hands, head pressed against the earth.
“Are you okay, brother?” Carson’s hand goes to my shoulder, giving it a squeeze.
“I’ll be okay.” I have been through worse. This is hard, but I will recover.
“What did Mom and Dad say?” Carson’s voice holds sadness.
“They understand that this was the best decision to be made.” I look out the window
because I can’t bear Carson’s pitying eyes.
When I called my father telling him I’m coming home alone, he was quiet for a few seconds. before asking if I was going to be all right. I told him yes. He was quiet again before telling me that I had to try, to take that chance. I knew what I was up against, the bond. I know what that is all about. I was just lying to myself that she could beat it, that I could beat it. But in the end, it just beat me.
