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My core tightens, and through a breathy moan, I tell him I can't take anymore.
“Then come for me amore mio.”
I don't expect the soul-shattering release. Maybe it's the fight. Maybe it's having him uninhibited. Maybe it's knowing that I'm quitting again, and I don’t want to lose him because I love him. My life feels complete with him here. But I can’t rely on a man for my happiness. Not even Max.
I carry Parker to the bathroom and run us a bath. The moment we lower into the hot water, I know I have to leave Austin and me going could be the end of us.
“Parker, I’m going back to New York.”
Her body stiffens. “When?”
“Today.”
The silence is filled with rage and agony and love. I drop my head back against the cold tile, praying this is the right decision. But I know staying will lead to me one day resenting that I have to compete for a place in her life.
“Why?” Her voice is low and distant.
“Because I don’t belong here. Plus, my team can handle the rest of my business affairs.”
“But what about us?” She whispers.
“What about us?”
Parker turns in the tub glancing back at me with a shadow of the inner turmoil that’s ruining any chance that we have to make this relationship work.
“Come with me.”
“I can’t.”
“Correction, you won’t.”
Her silence pokes at my uncertainties regarding my place in her life. Her response at this moment will determine the fate of our relationship.
“My business, my family, my friends are here.
“My…my…my.... you sound like a broken record. At what point do you consider us, we, anything or anybody except for yourself?”
“I told you I have a full life. What do you want a got-damn babysitter?”
The echoes of our voices fill the room. How did we get here?
I don’t want to hurt her, and I don't want to tell her goodbye. But we've crossed a line, and there's no coming back.
“Parker, I never asked for anything, but you. Apparently, that was too much to ask.”
"So, when you leave, that's it?" Her eyes hold mine.
“Yes, if you’re not coming with me.”
She pushes to the opposite end of the tub. "That's not fair, Max."
“Tough.”
My heart is erecting a shield to protect me from the fallout of this one. It took years to get over her before, and like an idiot, I believed she was ready this time.
“What you’re asking for is impossible?”
“Then say goodbye now and save both of us the fucking heartbreak.”
