Unloved (The Undone, #2)

by Peyton Corinne

This, with him, forever. It’s the best thing I’ve ever felt. And it’s love. And it’s real.

“You’re both protective people. And I love that about you, Freddy. You and Bennett—I wouldn’t have made it through the last six months without either of you. I need you, just as much as I need Sadie.”

Rhys about Sadie and Freddy

I’m made of smiles. Every one of them finally real.

They’re here for me. My family.

having the support of people I love, people who love me, cheering me on at the game I love. At the sport I’m fucking incredible at.

It’s the best game I’ve had. And I owe it all to the girl I love.

“Elsie was the best thing in my life. I loved her when we were kids—she was my best friend, my personal cheerleader for our small-town hockey team. And then I fell in love with her when she spent an entire summer dedicated to helping me recover enough to play. When she cried with me after the second injury, drank with me all night when I found out I’d never play again…

I always knew… I knew I was hers. And for me, that was enough. Just to be there for her, even if she’d never be just mine.”

“Matty.” He steps forward, putting a hand to my neck. “I love you like you’re my own son. And I will always, always be here for you. If you want me.”

Matt pays attention. He knows the lyrics, what I’m really saying.

Being with him is easy. Loving him is even easier.

“Her name is Elsie. Elsie Rose Shariff.” Ro rolls her eyes at the middle name, but I’m beaming. Named my favorite girl after the two most important women in my life.

And she’s a Shariff. Like her mother. Like me, because I’d taken Ro’s last name after we married.

Not to mention, wearing Ro’s last name on my back every game had become something of a bonus for me. It feels even better than seeing her in my jersey.

“Dr. Rosalie Shariff!” “That’s my wife!” I shout, hand cupped to project my voice.

These girls—this family we’ve made. This is what I was made for—for loving them, protecting them all.

I know my mom is gone. But she is here, in me. In my softness with Ro. In Archer’s love of me. In Elsie’s vibrant green eyes. I can feel her everywhere, even when I’m not looking for her.

I look up into his emerald eyes, his concern and protective nature bleeding through. This man—who I kissed at eighteen, who I fell in love with because of his gentle heart, who I’ve grown beside for the last seven years of our life… who I love more every day.

Loving him is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.

We’re never alone. We always have each other.

This book is, at its core, about grief and love—isn’t it kinda beautiful how gently hand in hand these two things go?

And last, to myself. I’m making a habit of thanking myself.