Those three words utterly destroy me. I feel it; they are final.
“Dev,” I mutter his name, an emotional mess. But he just ignores me and climbs into his car. “Dev!” I scream at him after he shuts the door. The V8 rumbles to life just before he pulls out, leaving me standing there entirely broken.
I can only watch, fragmented, as he drives away, still the owner of half of my heart.
The pain grates away at my insides as I hurry to my truck. In a fit of tears, I call Reese.
“Hello?”
“Can you come to my house?” I choke.
“Kayla? What wrong?” There’s alarm in his voice.
“Just please come over. I’m leaving work now.”
“I’ll come. Just tell me what’s wrong.”
“I can’t, not now. I’ll see you in a few,” I snivel, then hang up.
I drive home in a daze, the wound still gaping and fresh. As promised, Reese is waiting for me when I get there. I barely put the car in park before I jump out and retreat into his arms.
“Baby, what happened? Tell me what the hell is wrong.” He hugs me tightly.
“It’s Dev.”
“Did something happen to him?” he asks panicked.
“No. He’s done,” I try to explain.
“Done? Done with what?”
“Me.” I break down, sagging in his arms.
Reese carries me inside as I continue to fall apart. He directs us into the kitchen and plants me on the countertop.
“Please take a breath and tell me what happened.” He wipes my wet face with his palms. “Does this have something to do with last night?”
“Yes. He wanted me to choose, and I wouldn’t.”
“Choose?” He tries like hell to interpret. “Between the two of us?”
“Yes. He said he couldn’t share anymore. So it was basically all or nothing. But I won’t choose. I love you both. So much.” I ball his shirt in my hands, holding on for dear life.
“Fucking idiot,” Reese mutters lividly. “Kayla, I need you to calm down. Can you do that for me?” He clutches my face. I shake my head. The pain is just too much.
“Relax.” He kisses me tenderly, soothingly. “Relax, I’m here, and I’m never leaving you.” He forces me to look him in the eye. “Tell me you believe that.”
I hesitate, Dev’s warning unforgettable.“Reese is nothing but a heartache waiting to happen. He’s going to hurt you, Kayla. Mark my words. There are things about him you don’t know. Get out while you still can.”
What if he’s right?
“Kayla.” Reese jostles me.
“I do,” I squeak out.
“Good.” Satisfied, he pulls me into a bear hug. As I rest my head on his chest, emotional exhaustion begins to set in. I sigh deeply, wanting nothing more than to curl up next to Reese and go to sleep.
“Do you want to lie down?” He senses my surrender.
