AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Matthew,” I say, looking into his eyes, “I don’t know when I can come back.”
“It’s okay.” He rubs his hands down my arms. “I’m here, and so is Susie.”
I shake my head and step back from him. “I can’t ask that of you.”
He steps closer. “Hannah, I’m here for you. I want to be.”
I put my head down. “That’s not fair for you. You’re young. You don’t need to be taking care of someone who’s not your mom.”
“What do you mean, I’m young? What are you trying to say?” His tone changes, and my stomach sinks.
“I just don’t see how this will work. Us.” I motion back and forth between us. “I have no idea when I can come back. And who knows when we will start touring? I can’t ask you to wait here for me and take care of my mom when there’s nothing I can give you in return.”
I expect him to retreat and get mad like he did last time I left him, but he doesn’t do that at all.
“Nope. Not again.” He puts both hands on my arms and levels with me. “I’m not letting you leave me again. I’ve lived without you once. We’re not going there again. You and I are meant to be.”
“But I can’t ask you to move to Nashville. You’ve built your business here, and these kids rely on you.”
“You’re right. That’s why you’re not going to ask me to do so. I’m going to stay right here, and you’re going to fly all over the world, following your dreams. I don’t care where you are on any certain day. As long as when you do get a break, you come back to me, and your mom, and Mason Creek.”
Tears slip down my face, and he raises his hand to use his thumb to wipe them away.
“I’ve been in love with you since we were fifteen. Being apart from you for five years only grew that love. The day you came back, I knew I was royally fucked. But I felt it. You want me just as bad as I want you.”
Another tear falls, but we both let it as we stare at each other.
“I’m willing to make that sacrifice because I know at the end of the day—or rather tour”—he gives me a sexy grin—“you’ll be coming home to me. That’s all I want. I can stay busy, following my dreams, because, yes, these kids are my dream now. We both can have it all—just not every day, only some days, and I’m totally fine with that. I’d choose that a thousand times over again versus not having you at all. The question you have to ask yourself is, do you want it all?”
I wrap my arms around him. “I do. I promise I do.” I know I say the words, but every ounce of me questions how we can possibly make it work.
“Then, good. I’ll always wait for that someday when we’ll truly be together all the time, and I’ll treasure every night I get with you in between.”
He kisses me, and I get lost in his lips and the man he’s become all over again, just like I did our first kiss all those years ago.
He pulls back and wipes my tears away again. “Now, when’s your flight? I get one more night with you, I hope.”
I kiss his lips, hating what I’m about to say. “I wish I could stay, but I have to go.”
I know if I stay one more night with him, I won’t get on that plane. I don’t want to leave, but I also don’t want to give up my dreams. I never want to look back and regret anything. I’m right there, standing on the edge of everything I’ve ever wanted to come true. I can’t walk away now.
Even if having him is one of those dreams … right now, I have to choose.
And it breaks my heart even more to admit that I’m choosing me over us. That’s not fair to him, and me staying with him one more night would only make that decision harder.
He wraps me in his arms and gives me the biggest hug he’s ever given me. “I love you, Hannah. I’ll be here whenever you come back. Now, go be everything you’ve ever wanted to be.”
“I love you too, Matthew.” I cry into his chest.
I curl my arms in front of me and just let him hold me like this. Getting so much love and strength from him and needing it more than I need air.
My entire soul aches at what I am about to do, and for the life of me, I can’t stand to move a muscle.
I let him hold me for a few minutes, trying to focus on my breathing and not the pain I feel inside. He doesn’t say a word as we just breathe together and be in the moment.
Finally, I push away, and he only loosens his grip slightly, so I can see him better. Our eyes meet, and mine instantly well with more tears.
“These should only be happy tears. You’re leaving because your song is doing amazing. Don’t forget that.” He kisses one away. “It’s not good-bye. It will never be good-bye for us. I’m one hundred percent behind you, supporting you to become all you can be.”
