He chews his lip, looking off to the side. “I don’t feel like that.”
I scrunch my fingers into my hair. “Then help me understand this. I feel like I’m going crazy.”
He grabs my arms and yanks me close to him. I yelp when I hit his chest.
He releases one of my arms so he can hook a finger under my chin. “The only thing that’s crazy is the fact I’m never letting you go.”
I whimper from his pressure on my arm. “Then what’s wrong?”
He releases me, and I wince and rub my arm.
“Our lives are wrong. It’s wrong that being together shouldn’t work.” His arms fold, and there’s an intense flex in his jaw. “I’m doing my best, but I’m struggling to keep my brother off my back.”
“I could make a call,” I suggest weakly. “Maybe let the sheriff know…”
“You need to stop trying to fix things. My life doesn’t change with a bunch of words like yours does. You need to let me deal with my family on my own.”
Feeling more alone in his presence than I thought possible, I hug my feeble midsection. “So, what do you want me to do? Tell me how to act so I don’t upset you.”
He huffs and wraps his arms around me. I keep my arms pressed against my stomach as he kisses my forehead and rests his chin atop my head.
After a long silent moment, he murmurs, “I’m not telling you how to act. You’re perfect how you are. I just don’t want you involved in stuff that could get you hurt.”
At that, I unravel my arms and pull them around him. I lean against him, listening to the erratic thumps of his heart. I shut my eyes hard and grit my teeth. Was he pulling away from me because he’s worried about his brother closing in on him?
With a voice strained with pain, he suggests, “Maybe I should go.”
“No,” I whisper hoarsely. “Don’t leave me again.”
“Until I sort things out with my brother, we’ll keep arguing.”
“But when will that happen?”
He pulls his arms from around me. “If I go now, it’ll be soon.”
I narrow my eyes, taking him in. “How can you be so sure?”
“I can give him something he wants. If I do it soon, he’ll give me space.”
“Wait. What will you give him?”
“I need to go. I’ll explain everything when I get back.”
I grab his hand and dig my feet into the rug. “No. Tell me what you’re doing so I’ll know if something goes wrong.”
He leans in, pecks my lips, and whispers, “If I tell you, you won’t let me go.”
Fear fizzes inside me as he pulls his hand from my grip.
“Goodbye, Sassy,” he says with a small smile, and disappears out the front door.
My heart swells and my eyes water from hearing that silly pet name.
And, goodbye?
For how long?
Twenty-Six
