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“So, how is that any different than this?”
I throw my hands in the air. “Because, Mila. I listened as he choked on his own blood, and it was like music to my fucking ears.”
“He tried to take your family from you,” she reasons. “If someone put a gun in my hands and gave me the chance, I would've done exactly what you did.”
“She deserves someone better than me,” I whisper.
Running her fingers through her hair, she switches tactics. “Okay, let's say that's true. You two have a kid together. What was your plan if she didn't decide to move to Texas?”
With a half-hearted shrug, I frown. “I'd be there to help her and protect her until she found someone else, and then I'd let her be happy.”
“And what if the person she would be happiest with is you?”
“It's not.”
Pinching the bridge of her nose, she groans. “You two are the densest people I've ever met. I don't know how I'm related to you.”
I grunt. “And now you're back to insulting me. Great.”
“She's still in love with you, moron!” she shouts. “She is in love with you, and you're about to let her leave. If you want to stay with this I'm not worthy attitude, that's on you. But just know that if you let her go, there's a good chance you might lose her forever.”
The thought of never getting to hold her in my arms again hits me right in the chest. When it comes down to it, I'm crazy about her. It was one thing when I thought she didn't want me too, when I could convince myself that being a co-parent and a friend to her was enough. But hearing that she still returns the same feelings for me, from the person that knows her the best, makes me realize what I could be throwing away. And it’s not okay.
Not even close.
“Okay,” I cave. “But her flight’s already booked. What the hell do I do?”
My sister smirks. “I have an idea, but you might think I'm crazy.”
THE WEDDING VENUE ISgorgeous. White flowers line the aisle and a matching canopy covers the arch above us. I stand at the altar, behind Zayn and Knox, and I know I should be paying attention, but I can't. The only thing I can focus on is how beautiful Kennedy looks. People probably think I'm suffering through withdrawals as I try to control my shaking.
Keeping this a secret has been hard. Amelia was right when she said her plan was crazy, but crazy might be exactly what I need. Kennedy plans on leaving in two days so she can get settled and enrolled in school down there, so it's now or never.
I can't just stand by and watch as she walks out of my life.
I WAIT UNTIL JUSTafter all the pictures are taken before I put a hand on the small of Kennedy's back. She tilts her head back to look at me and I move my lips to the shell of her ear with as much calmness as I can muster.
“Can I steal you for a minute?”
She gives me a strange look and starts looking around. “What about Kayn?”
I start to lead her away from the wedding party. “My parents have him.”
Thankfully, she follows me without asking too many questions. We go down a decorated hallway until we stand in front of a closed door. I feel like my heart is in my throat and if I wasn't so mesmerized by the way Kennedy looks in that dress, I might pass out from being so fucking nervous.
“What are we doing?” she asks. “Amelia will kill us both if we don't get back.”
“Just wait a minute,” I tell her.
Taking another few seconds to compose myself, I inhale deeply and then slowly let it out. Kennedy watches me with the same patience she always has. The same patience I really don't deserve but she gives it to me anyway.
“You were right,” I start. “I don't love you in the way I love Tessa.”
She takes a step back like she's been wounded, but I grab her hand and pull her toward me again.
“Just, hear me out,” I beg. “I love her in the way that needs to know she's okay. That she's safe and happy and not dying in a bathroom somewhere from a drug addiction that I caused. But I love you in a way that consumes me. It runs through my veins and claims every inch of me from the inside out.”
Dropping down on one knee, I pull out the same ring I used to propose to her once, when she shot me down in front of the whole school. She throws a hand over her mouth as tears fill her eyes, but she doesn't make a move to leave.
