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It wasn’t a lie, but the truth was almost as painful. Of course I would come back, but I wasn’t sure what I’d be coming back to. “I have a job here. ”
His eyebrows pinched together, tears filling his eyes as he let go of my arm. My phone rang, breaking the sorrow-filled heaviness in the room. “Hi, Matteo. OK, I’ll be right down. ”
“I need to go. ” I leaned toward Jack and planted a soft kiss on his cheek before turning to walk away.
He gripped my wrist from behind and yanked me around to face him. “Get over here,” he said roughly as he pulled my body effortlessly into his. Before I could situate my arms, his were wrapped around me, pulling me tight against his heaving chest.
Oh my God, he’s crying.
“I love you more than anything. You need to know that before you walk out that door. ” The warmth of his breath fluttered against my skin. My eyes met his, and the tears that rolled down his cheeks caused my heart to shatter.
“I love you too. ” My current dysfunction had nothing to do with my feelings for Jack. I loved him more than I ever thought possible. But sometimes love wasn’t enough, and in order to be with him forever, I needed to make sure I could handle whatever came my way.
“I’ll do anything to make you happy. Anything, Kitten. You just tell me what I need to do and I’ll do it. Tell me what you want and I’ll give it to you. You want to file a lawsuit against Chrystle, I’ll start the paperwork tomorrow. You want me to quit baseball? I’ll stop playing. ”
It pained me to hear his voice sounding this desperate, this needy. “That’s not what I want,” I choked out, my jagged heart beating out painfully piercing beats. “Right now I just need some space. ”
He peeled his arms from my body, and I instantly craved their attention again, but refused to give in. “OK. Space,” he breathed out in response, his cheeks tearstained. “But not forever. I won’t let you quit on us. I know this is all my fault. One fucking mistake that never goes away. I’m so sorry about all of it. ”
“I know you are,” I whispered. “I am too. ”
I pulled my suitcase out the front door, leaving Jack behind.
I walked out of the elevator, noticing the gaggle of press still gathered outside our building. Seeing me, the cameras started flashing against the glass of the window as they fought over one another for the best shot. Matteo lunged through them on his way to reach me. Blocking me from view once again, he grabbed my suitcase while keeping a tight hold on my body.
Stepping outside, I was bombarded by the press shouting their questions.
“Where are you going, Cassie?”
“Did you and Jack split up?”
“Is he going back to Chrystle?”
“Why are you leaving?”
“Why are you crying?”
I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs for them to shut the hell up and mind their own business. They didn’t know anything about our relationship and their stupid assumptions drove me nuts. Matteo opened up the passenger door, and I shook my head, opting for the rear seat, which had privacy glass on the windows. I watched as some of the paparazzi scattered, and I assumed they were heading for their cars so they could follow me.
He opened the door for me and ushered me inside. “Are you OK?”
I wiped the tears from my cheeks. “I will be. ”
“Are you and Jack alright?” he asked as he pulled the car onto Second Avenue.
Unsure of how much I wanted to confide in Matteo at the moment, I opted for the easy way out. “I’m not sure. ”
Matteo checked the rearview mirror a few times before I asked, “Are they following us?”
“I don’t think so. I can usually tell if they’re around us because they drive like assholes, but I don’t see anyone. ”
“Good. ”
“Cassie?” His voice questioned and I simply looked in his direction. “You know I’m here if you need me. ”
I forced a polite smile. “I know. Thank you. ”
We drove the rest of the way in silence. My brain turned inside my skull, causing more confusion, questions, and pain. I closed my eyes as the sound of my cell phone beeping filtered into my ears.
