AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’d break my bitter heart, but I’d let you go.”
“Once and for all?”
My gut plunges to the floor. “If that’s what you want. I’ve already been mourning the loss of what could’ve been. Seems only fair to suffer alone after you ruined me.”
Harper pulls back to search my gaze. “How did I ruin you?”
“There’s no replacing you, Pitchy. Nobody else comes close.”
“But we only dated for a few months,” she reasons.
“Didn’t have to be mine for long to leave a permanent mark.” The tattoo on my inner forearm burns in acknowledgment.
“It’s not that simple for me to forgive and forget.” Pain flashes over her features. “You already destroyed me once. Excuse me if I’m not waiting in line for an encore.”
“I don’t expect you to,” I rasp.
“Then what’s your plan?”
My brain sputters with the effort to compute a sensible answer. It couldn’t be more obvious that I didn’t consider the long haul. There are too many obstacles that I have yet to obliterate. But Harper Wilson is the only one for me. That has to count as a chance to prove myself.
“We can go slow.” My tone is steady despite the feverish instincts demanding escalation.
“As friends?”
I grunt as my palms remain firmly planted on her ass. “You know we’re more than friends.”
“And that’s supposed to sway me?”
“Yes?”
Harper gawks at my stalling tactics. “Wow, you’re something else.”
“That’s not a compliment, huh?”
“Definitely not.” She pushes me until there’s a sizeable gap separating us.
“Let’s talk about this,” I plead, grasping for straws or anything else at this point.
“What’s left to say?”
“Everything.” Yet the most important declarations stick to my vocal cords.
Her shoulders slump in defeat. “This isn’t what I want.”
I reach for her limp fingers, threading them with mine. “We can start over. A fresh slate.”
She’s shaking her head before I’m done talking. “I won’t agree to that. Not like this.”
“Then how?”
“That’s for you to figure out.” Her expression is blank as she withdraws behind a shield.
The urge to silence her retreat has me leaning in, but a kiss won’t diffuse this situation. “Give me a chance to right my wrongs. I’ll be the man who deserves you, Pitch.”
Harper’s smile is sad as she ducks beneath my arm and begins backing away. “I would love to see you actually try, Jerky Jacob.”
Another impatient knock demands entrance as I finish my bathroom business. A lady can’t halt mid-stream to welcome uninvited company. I button my jeans and hop to the sink while the determined visitor begins pounding louder.
