The Oath We Give (Hollow Boys, #5)

by Monty Jay

I want her to see me so she can hear these words and know they’ve never been spoken aloud to anyone but her. That these parts of me? No one else has. No one knows. “I’m moments from letting the guilt of what I’ve done eat me alive. I can’t sleep at night because I know the reason Stephen is trying to destroy my friends is because of me. All I think about, all I dream about, is sending a bullet through his skull and ending this forever.” I let her see me, unmoving. I let her know that I’m not running away from this, from her. I’m in this with her. I’m putting my trust in her, too. “I’m seconds away from kissing your fucking mouth because you look this beautiful and still feel the need to ask me if I’m sure about marrying you.” My voice is a whisper in the back of my throat. Coraline’s features soften as my thumb traces her bottom lip. The world had scared her beyond recognition, wounded and beaten her soul. Yet, she stands here, scared she’ll hurt me. Despite everything we’ve both been through, I need her to know I’m in this. Whatever comes next, regardless of what I mean to her, she will always have someone she can count on. More than a voice. More than a phone number. She will always have me.