Page 35 of Heartstrings & Horseshoes

“I can’t keep doing this with you. You have me, but I can’t have you. I’m yours, but you’re not mine.”

“What are you talking about?” Frantic eyes scan my face trying to read between the lines.

“Thank you for protecting me, but why were you watching me when you had that woman…” I can’t bring myself to say it.

“What woman?” he asks. Is he serious?

“The woman who couldn’t keep her hands off you at the bar. Or was there more than one and you’re not sure which one I’m talking about?” I snip.

My pain and embarrassment are turning into anger. Connor says nothing.

I stand, forcing him to shift away from my feet.

“Forget it. I’m tired. I’m going to wait for Izzy to let me into her cabin. I’m going to stay here for a while.” My impromptu plan surprises me nearly as much as it does Connor.

“Delilah, what? No, you aren’t staying here. You’re coming home with me.”

“No. I need some time.”

“Some time? For what?”

“Some time away from you.” Connor jerks back like I’ve stabbed him.

My heart aches, hating hurting him. But I can’t anymore. I can’t keep living in a delusional bubble hoping he’ll want me some day.

It’s past time I accept our relationship for what it is.

And what it will never be.

19

“Some time? For what?” I ask, heart in my throat.

“Some time away from you,” Delilah chokes out.

My heart stops. I die from her sharp rejection but somehow, my punishment is to live in eternal purgatory without her.

How did tonight go sideways so fast? I went to refill our drinks when Carolyn from the liquor store cornered me. She’s always been blatantly clear she wants to fuck me. Thing is, I have no desire to fuck anyone other than Delilah, let alone a cougar like Carolyn.

I couldn’t have been away from Delilah more than five minutes. Fuck. Was it longer? What does she think she saw? Because I told Carolyn in no uncertain terms I wasn’t interested and to keep her hands to herself.

That predator slipped something into the drink he picked up from the bartender and I followed the fucker to stop him from hurting whatever poor girl he was hunting.

When he gave the drugged glass to Delilah, I saw red. Rage. Protectiveness. Jealousy. Possession. Why’s another man buying my girl a drink? And why’s she accepting it? And who the fuck does he think he is to hurt what’s mine?

“Delilah, I don’t—what happened? Whatever it is, I’ll fix it. Please. Just come home with me,” I beg like a fool.

“You can’t fix it.” Pain lances through me as her dagger pierces through my chest.

I get to my feet and move to hug her but jerk my arms back. She doesn’t want me to touch her. She doesn’t want me.

We stand in deafening silence. What am I going to do? I can’t lose her. Not even for one night. I won’t survive it.

“Oh, thank god. Reid! She’s over here!” Isabelle yells, running towards her house. Mounting the porch, Izzy’s eyes eviscerate me, furious Delilah’s hurt, and certainly blaming me.

The sob that bubbles up Delilah’s throat twists the knife in my chest. “Can I…stay here for a while?” she asks her sister, delivering the killing blow to my heart.

Reid reaches the porch, looking as furious with me as Izzy does. He locks eyes with his fiancée, some telepathic couple-conversation passing between them.