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My heart thuds in my chest, painfully.
He’s still so handsome, just as I remember. Looking at him, hearing him speak, having him in front of me— it cuts me deeply. I’m bleeding where they can’t see, right to the depth of my soul. Where the pain of my heartbreak still resides and I’m bitter about it.
From behind me, Colton makes a sound of choked frustration in the back of his throat. “We’re going to be late.” I flinch at the sudden harshness in his voice. “We have a flight to catch.”
I take an instinctive step back, away from Grayson and toward Colton.
“Wait, Riley,” Grayson says, slight panic in his voice. He reaches out, almost like he’s going to touch me. But then he realizes what he’s about to do, and his arm drops back to his side. “I know I never gave you proper closure, but I just want a chance to…explain. I just need a moment of your time. I won’t take more than ten minutes, I promise.”
His promises have all been lies before.
But…
I want to know what he has to say.
Why did he leave? Why did he break my heart? Why did he wait for almost three years before appearing in front of me again?
“Riley,” Colton calls out, in his deep baritone voice.
I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from Grayson’s face. Will he have all the answers to my questions? I’m evidently furious…
And hurt.
I am so confused about my own feelings right now. I can’t possibly think straight.
Standing between Grayson and Colton.
My first love— the man who broke my heart, asking for a chance to explain.
While Colton waits for me to take the leap. Toward him.
Because for two years, he stayed by my side. He kept me safe, protected me and had always dropped everything to come to my rescue. Colton has been there every time I needed him, even when I tried to deny his help. He became my shadow and stayed with me. Without asking anything else in return. I know how he feels.
I know what he wants.
But…
I just can’t seem to walk away from Grayson.
I need answers.
I need to know the truth.
Or else I’ll never be able to move on with my life. I’ll always wonder: why?
I shift and face Colton. He’s straddling his bike, but he removed his helmet. His expression is thunderous and he glares at Grayson.
When he notices my attention on him, he reaches his arm out. “Let’s go.”
I don’t take his hand.
Giving him a tight smile, I whisper, “I’ll call you later.”
His arm drops.
My heart stammers.
His face twitches with a flinch and there’s a flash of pain in his eyes, before it’s quickly gone. I blink and wonder if I imagined it. A cold mask of indifference slams over his expression. Colton doesn’t speak another word.
