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He starts clawing at his t-shirt. I frown, gasping when I realize he’s pulling a silver chain out. “I got this for you... for us. See, it’s a pair of angel wings. For the baby.” He lifts it over his head and holds it out to me. “I thought you could take one half and I could take the other.”
Tears well in my eyes, but I swallow them down. “You got this for me?”
“Yeah. You should have something to remember him. Here.” He unclasps the chain and detaches the wings, sliding off one half. “I’ll keep this half, but I'd really like it if you took the other.” Cole holds out the chain and I take it with shaky fingers.
“I-I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything, Dove. I wasn’t there when you needed me, and I will never forgive myself for that.”
I touch the small angel wing, feeling a strange sense of peace wash over me. “Thank you.” Slipping it over my head, I press it to my chest. It feels right somehow.
“You’re still going to walk, aren’t you?” The pain in his voice guts me, but I have to do this.
I have to stay strong.
Pressing my hand to his cheek, I lean in, allowing myself one final kiss. “I am. It’s over. Goodbye, Cole.” My lips linger. “I hope one day all your dreams come true.”
Hurrying from the car, I’m almost out when his voice gives me pause.
“You’re wrong, you know.”
I steel myself before glancing back.
“You say what we had was unhealthy, Hadley, but you are the best thing to ever happen to me. I know I fucked up. I know I let you down. But I’m not about to let you just walk away from this because you’re scared.”
“Cole, that’s not—”
“Don’t worry,” he says around a weak smile. “I’m not going to kidnap you like Conner. But you told me to go after my dreams. Well, you’re it, Dove. I want you, plain and simple. But I respect your decision to walk away. Just know that, one day soon, when I’ve figured some shit out, I’ll come after you. Because you and me, Hadley… this isn’t something I can just walk away from.”
“Goodbye Cole,” I say, because I can feel my resolve slipping. But it’s all just words. Empty promises.
Hurrying from the car, I take off down the Jaggers’ drive, but I don’t miss Cole’s final words.
“You’re mine, Hadley Dove Rexford. Don’t forget it.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Cole
I’ve been through some shit in my life, but watching her walk away from me last night was by far the most painful.
When I dropped into the car and looked into her eyes, I swore I saw some hope in there. But the more she talked, the more she closed down, and I had no choice but to let her follow through on her words of us being over.
Pain rips through my chest even after all these hours later. She might be convinced that we’re done, but I’m not. There’s one thing I’m sure of in life, and that’s Hadley was made for me. It might take some time, but I’m determined to show her that we’re meant to be. Soul mates, written in the stars, all that and more.
Blowing out a breath, I watch the clouds race across the sky outside my window as I prepare for what I’m about to do.
One of the things I’ve talked to Faye about at length the past few days is my need to put the past behind me where it belongs, and a huge part of being able to deal with all that is talking about it. It’s time I stop hiding from those who love me. It’s time to tell Ace and Conner everything. James too, but I figure I’ll start with my brothers and work up to him.
We’ve been getting on better and better since I returned from hospital, but we’ve still got a long way to go. I think we’ll get there, though. He’s proved time and time again in just our short time here that he’s got our best interests at heart, and I’ve got to trust that he does.
Swinging my legs from the bed, I make my way to Conner’s door. I know he’s in there, I’ve he
ard him crashing about.
“Con, can you come down to the pool house?”
His footsteps get louder before he pulls the door open. He looks at my face and his own pales slightly. I have no idea what he must be able to read right now, and I don’t have the energy to worry about it. I just need to do what I need to do.
