Page 33 of Unbreakable Thread

“Why can’t we do this together?”

Because you deserve better. Because you deserve a woman who has her head on straight. A woman who won’t have you reminisce about your past. A woman who will make you forget it all.

I don’t say all this. Instead, I press my lips onto his, just like he did years ago when he left me to better himself. Now it’s my turn.

“We can’t. Not together. You have a lot on your plate.”

“Fuck that. I need you like I need air.”

Tears swim in my vision. With the back of my hand, I wipe the tears and my running nose. “Can you promise me something?”

“It depends on what it is.” His voice sounds like it was dragged across broken glass.

“If you...” I swallow, my voice shaky. “Ever find someone who is good for you, who will love every piece of you, hold on to her. Love her. Let her in, honey. Don’t build those walls you’re good at. You’re a good man, Max. Any good woman is lucky to have you. I’m sorry, it’s not me. I’ll never be the person who holds a candle to your heart.” I push the last words out. “You’ll see.”

“My love.”

“Promise me,” I beg. I bring my pinky finger in front of him. He looks at it and turns away. A tear is about to fall, but he catches it in time.

He nods and then hooks his pinky in mine. “I promise.”

Daisy stretches when she gets off her bed in the living room, walking toward me. She whines. I’m sure she can feel the tension.

“O-okay.” I shove my hands in my pockets. “Good, you deserve happiness.” A fire burns in my chest, licking at the edge of what soul I have left.

“We both do,” he comments in a softer tone. His green eyes are pinned on me.

No, you do. I’ll never be happy like I was with him, but it’s okay. I’ll trade mine for his. I need to work on the mess inside my head, and he needs to work on his career.

“I love you, tesoro, more than anything in this world. I know you need space. I’ll give it to you. I will wait for you as long as it takes. But, Rainey, I will always be a call away. I’m here for you when you are ready.” His voice is soft and steady.

I hate that I hang by every word he says when I know I shouldn’t. I need to let him go.

“You promised,” I remind him.

“I know,” he whispers.

What’s left to say? Nothing. My chest aches like a million pieces shattered inside me.

“Does any of this have to do with last night?” His gaze searches my face for a reaction.

I don’t give him one. Maybe a tad bit of it does. He’s so busy that he forgot to call. It’s not that I need to be in control and know every step he takes, but it would have been nice to have been called. And not watch him be drunk when climbing the stairs.

“Yes and no,” I say flatly.

He winces. Max knows me better than I do, and I forget. I wouldn’t break up with him over this, but it proves he has a lot going on in his life.

We stay quiet for four long minutes. His buzzing phone breaks the silence. Max pulls it out of his pocket, then silences it, shoving it back into his slacks. “My Sunshine…I need to get to work. Leo is calling. I’m late for a meeting.” He sighs. The whites of his eyes are red. “Will you be here when I get home?” His eyes fill with hope.

There is no reason to stay. I have my home, and I just broke up with my boyfriend.

“No, Max.” My voice comes out full of anguish.

His fingers run through his soft hair, tugging on it, his jaw clenched.

Max nods, taking steps toward me, eating the space between us. A chill runs down my spine, and my stomach twists when he pulls a strand behind my ear. “Te amo, Rainey.” His breath fans my neck. “I’ll love you in every lifetime. If there’s such a thing as reincarnation, I’d like to be the one to find you, life after life. One thing—remember…You’ll. Always. Be. Mine.” Those last four words, he emphasizes with a sharp, husky tone. Before stepping away, he kisses my cheek.

I close my eyes, and when I open them, he’s at the door—staring at me as if I’m his lifeline. Then he turns and walks out the door.