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I nodded, even though my heart was pounding, my nerves on edge as he brushed my hair back from my face.
“I love you.”
My breath hitched. “You…”
“Love you. Yeah.” He gave me a little half-grin.
I couldn’t hold the tears back then. They welled up and spilled down my cheeks, and I held onto Garrett as if my life depended on it. I wanted to yell and rage against fate for being so cruel. To bring us together when we never had a chance at a future.
Garrett wiped the tears away and kissed me softly. “Are you mad I told you?”
I laughed, even as I cried. “Maybe a little. Actually, I take that back.” I gave him a tremulous smile. “I don’t regret any of this. I don’t regret knowing you. Or being with you like this. How could I, when I love you, too?”
Garrett’s jaw muscle ticked, his throat moving as he swallowed. “You do?”
I nodded slightly. “I do. I love you. And I can promise you this: I will treasure our time together for the rest of my life.”
He dropped his forehead to mine, staring into my eyes. For a moment, I thought he might ask me once again to be with him despite it all. But he didn’t. He simply kissed me once again.
When he broke the kiss, he was grinning. “I think we have time for one more round, don’t you think?”
25
GARRETT
Jessica was smiling when I left her room, something I was grateful for. After the night we’d shared, I wasn’t sure I’d have been able to go through with this date with Reagan if she’d looked at me again with tears in her eyes.
Still, leaving her there was the hardest thing I’d ever had to do. Her heart was breaking, as was mine, but I fully agreed with what she’d said. No regrets. I would do all of this again if it meant I had this time with Jessica. It was important to me that she knew just how much everything had meant to me and that I truly did love her.
Which was why I found myself heading to Holden’s apartment instead of returning to my own. Even though it was just after dawn, I lifted my hand and banged on his door, knowing he’d be awake.
It wasn’t Holden who opened the door, though. It was Kayden. She lifted her brows at my rumpled appearance then pursed her lips.
“Long night?”
I cleared my throat as she scrutinized me. “I didn’t sleep much. Is Holden around?”
“Garrett.” Holden appeared behind Kayden. “Is everything okay?”
“There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“Yeah, of course. Come on in.” He and Kayden stepped out of the way, gesturing for me to enter.
I gave Kayden an apologetic smile as I passed her. “In private, if you don’t mind.”
Holden frowned. “I’m pretty sure you can say whatever you need to in front of my mate.”
Kayden rested a hand on his arm. “It’s fine, Holden. I need to take a shower anyway.” She gave me a long, assessing look as she shut the door to the apartment. “You look tense.”
I sighed. “It’s just been a long week.”
“Well, you’re nearly done with the Contention,” she said. “That’s something to look forward to, right?”
I angled my head and met her gaze. Did she know something? She had a strange look in her eyes, almost like she was trying to read my mind. “If you say so.”
Kayden hummed then wiggled her fingers as she walked away. “There’s coffee if you want some.”
I turned to Holden, who was watching me carefully. “You look like you could use it.”
