“But you knew that.”
Hallie nodded.
He swallowed hard. “Then you came crashing into my life with your confessions of love. You threw me off my game.” His brows drew together and his voice softened. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I hated that you started to retreat from me. When you put distance between us, there was this gaping hole that I couldn’t fill and I—I wanted to fix it, but I didn’t know how.”Jacob lifted his eyes to her. She wondered if he could hear the way her heart galloped, the way it nearly tripped over itself as it raced toward some unknown destination.
Hallie didn’t dare interrupt him. He’d never talked about the time between when she’d told him she liked him and the accident. It was like those weeks didn’t exist.
“I think even then, I was gone for you, Hallie.”
She could feel the burning in her chest start to rise and she knew a blush would soon wrack her body. But it didn’t stop there. Emotion threatened to escape from behind her eyes, and she got the distinct feeling that even if she shut her eyes tight, there would be no avoiding the tears that needed to break free.
Dang it all! She was gone for him, too and before he’d even done any groveling.
Hallie pressed her lips together tightly, reminding herself she had to remain strong. He needed to fight for her. Probably more than she needed him to, and she needed it a lot. Her trust in him had been shattered.
Jacob lowered his voice to a whisper. “Then I woke up in the hospital, and you were there. My life was altered. I was forced to take a look at everything I’ve worked for and everything I’ve lost. Even though I fought it, fought you, it was easy to believe we could have a future.”
She shook her head at that. “You chose the rodeo, Jacob. You didn’t even give us a chance.”
He took a sudden step toward her and she gasped as his harsh words registered. “Sacrifices had to be made, Hallie. I couldn’t ask you to come with me. I couldn’t ask you to leave all of this.”He flung his arm out in a gesture to encompass her friends. “You need this support system. It’s what you were born into. It’s what’s good for you.”
“You’re good for me,” she argued, her voice growing heated. “You’re the oneIwanted. Couldn’t you see that? All I wanted was to be the girl you wanted by your side. All I wanted was for you to ask me to go on an adventure withyou.” She was trembling and tears were spilling down her cheeks. There. It was all out in the open now.
“You…” His voice cracked and he gripped the back of his neck with both hands before looking skyward. Then he shook his head. “It would have been selfish of me. I already had the career. I couldn’t have the girl, too.”
She barked out a laugh. “Do you hear how ridiculous you sound?”
His eyes dipped to meet hers, the beginnings of a chagrined smile tugging at his lips.
“You should have asked, Jacob.”
“But what about your family? What about your support system?”
Hallie had to fight the urge to roll her eyes. “My support system will always be here. And that’s the point, isn’t it? To support me in whatIwant.”
“What you…want…” he murmured, his eyes shining.
She took a step toward him. “Yeah, what I want. You should have just asked,” she repeated. Then she shook her head. “No, youshouldask.”
His confusion stirred some commotion at her back and Sammie groaned. “Right now, dummy. You should ask her right now.”
He looked directly at her and it seemed like maybe he understood what was going on. There was still something in his expression that made her think he might not believe he was being given another shot.
“You’re not seeing anyone?” His voice had an uncharacteristic squeak that almost made her laugh, but she was able to hold that back.
Sammie groaned again, slapping her forehead with her hand. Hallie looked confused and that was more than enough to assure him that she wasn’t involved with the guy at the rodeo event. He swallowed hard and prayed his voice sounded more confident than he felt. “Do you want to come with me on the road, Hallie?”
She pulled her lower lip free from where her teeth had it caged. “I thought you’d never ask.”
In a swift motion, Jacob scooped her into his arms and spun her in a circle. She threw back her head with a laugh and when he placed her firmly on her feet, he cradled her face in his hands and kissed her.
The kiss stole her breath in ways she’d never experienced. There was something different about the way he was holding her this time. It was like they’d both finally found where their pieces fit.
Together.
When whoops mingled with groans from the onlookers, Jacob released her. He swiped his thumb over her lower lip, his eyes never leaving hers. “You’ve stolen my heart, Hallie.”
She grinned. “Welcome to the club.”
