Page 86 of His End Game

As I near, he gives me his attention and I say, “I’m taking Rayna home. If you don’t make it back tonight, please call her so she’ll settle.”

“I’ll be home. Don’t know what time, but I’ll be there. We’re gonna talk.”

That’s all he ever seems to say. We’ll talk. Yet, nothing is ever said.

“Sure,” I mutter.

“You should bring Rayna into the city soon and we’ll have a girl’s day,” Tor says, leaning out of her truck window.

“Sounds good.” I smile for her benefit and wave to Rudi before turning and forcing myself not to run to my car. I manage to drive out before them and ignore Leo’s gaze as we pass.

With Rayna distracted with her in-car movie, I let the tears fall. I know the conversation we need to have, and I already know the outcome and what the following consequences will be.

I walk through the house, turning on the lamps as I make my way into the kitchen and chase out all the shadows lingering in the corners. Leo missed Rayna’s bedtime, and he didn’t call. The girl is getting an attitude and I feel sorry for anyone who crosses her. I deal with the dinner dishes and because I’m feeling petty, I dump Leo’s meal, long gone cold, in the trash and shove his plate in the sink. I’m wiping the counters down when I hear the door open and close. My heart pounds but I carry on cleaning the kitchen and ignore him when he enters the kitchen.

“How you doing?” he asks.

I go to throw my automatic response at him, but I turn around to face him and take a deep breath.

“Our deal’s not enough for me anymore. I want more. I need it.”

His stare weighs me down, but I keep my chin high, and I don’t break. For the sake of sanity, I hold my own and give him one last chance. His last chance.

“I can’t give you that,” he chokes out.

It’s what I was expecting but I’m not ready to let it slide this time.

“I think you can, but you choose not to.”

“I can’t do this… I warned you… I…”

“That was over a year ago. During that time, you also made me promise I wouldn’t see anyone else because you admitted you were jealous,” I remind him.

“Holly,” he drawls.

“I was the one you came home to first, and that wasn’t all about sex. Give me one solid reason why we couldn’t make this work.”

Crossing the kitchen, I step in front of him and hold his angry glare.

“Tell me! Is it because of my hands?”

“Of course not! You know they don’t bother me.”

“Then tell me why you won’t let yourself love me?”

He stones over and his eyes narrow. “Because you’re not her!” he bellows, and I flinch. “You’re not her,” he repeats, grinding it in.

He’s always made it clear, but he’s never actually said the words. I flinch, and step back, putting some space between us.

“I fucking told you I wouldn’t ever give you more. Why couldn’t you believe me?” he pleads.

I’m not falling for his pain this time. Too much time has passed, and he’s been different… unless it was all an act for him.

“You’re an asshole and even if you live a long life, it will be pointless if you can’t find happiness.”

“And you think you’re the happiness I need, huh?” He steps back and I have seconds before he runs out.

“Maybe, maybe not, but you’ll never find out because you won’t let go.”

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