AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But I can’t be there for him if I’m the person that will take away the bit of freedom he has left. It’s the last thing I want to do to him.
Tears well up in my eyes and I don’t stop myself from crying. I sob, terrified of what the future holds.
I’m in this all alone. David left me behind, and I’ve done a poor job of keeping it all together. And now, it’s all starting again. Another baby. Another life I’m responsible for. I don’t know how I can do it all again. It’s been so hard the past five years to do everything alone.
But one thing I know for certain. I can’t do this to Mason. I can’t force him to live a different life than he envisioned for himself. He has more than enough trouble as it. He needs a break; he needs to be happy. And I won’t be the person to take that from him.
Finally, I stop crying. I blow my nose and wipe my cheeks and pick up my tablet to keep working. I have to get these designs ready for Raven’s approval. My career depends on it. I might not end up being a designer if I have to step back and be a mother.
But I won’t stop anyone else from living their dream.
I’m terrified of doing it all alone a second time. But I got through it before. I can do it again.
Except this time, the man in my life won’t be the one to disappear on me. I’ll have to be the one to end it with him.
Chapter 25
Mason
I can’t stop thinking about her. The more time we spend together, the more I know I want to be with her. She’s been through so much, and her strength is admirable. It gives her a beauty no one can match.
But it’s not just about what she’s been through.
It’s about what she does for me with everything that I’ve been through.
Of all the women in my life—not only Nicole, who I wanted to marry once upon a time, but the women that I considered now and then—Natalie is the only one who understands me. She knows who I am.
Even though we barely know each other.
But that’s changing, too. We’re getting to know each other. The more she peels back layers of herself, the more I love what I see. And the more I bare myself to her, the more I realize that she’ll accept me, no matter what.
I know she’s been through a lot, but I want to be with her.
My phone rings when I’m standing at the florist, looking at different bouquets of flowers. Jackson’s name flashes on the screen.
“Where the fuck have you been, man?” he asks when I answer. “You quit football, start shopping, and suddenly I don’t hear from you anymore?”
I laugh. “I’ve just had a lot on my mind. I’ve been busy.”
“Sure, whatever. Come out for drinks with me. We can catch up and you can tell me all the bullshit stories about how without a job twenty-four-seven you’re suddenly too busy to see me.”
I laugh again. “You’re not going to believe this, but…I’m busy right now.”
Jackson groans. “That story gets old, bro.”
“Sorry. I’ll make it up to you. We should go out. This weekend. Or…” I want to take Natalie out this weekend if I have a chance, but she’ll have to let me know if she can arrange something with Kylie. I don’t know if I’ll see her yet. But if I can, she’s my priority right now. “I’ll let you know.”
“There was a time where I was the first person you called, you know,” Jackson says.
“You’re still on my list.”
He laughs. “What a fucking compliment. Careful, it’ll go straight to my head.”
“Fuck you, man,” I laugh. “I just have a lot going on. Besides, you usually call me when you can’t get a booty call so it’s not like you’re sitting on your hands waiting for me, either.”
“It’s not the same thing,” Jackson says dryly.
I shake my head. “I’ll call you later. I’m just…wait. What flowers do you get the girls you try to impress?”
