Promise Me Not

by Meagan Brandy

I am a man in love with a girl … who is in love with someone else. But I can’t compete with a ghost,

She says I should walk away, focus on my love for football, but I can’t because what she doesn’t understand is I have a new dream now. One that begins and ends with them.

But I guess that’s the thing about finding that one person who was meant to be yours. There’s no such thing as too close. No such thing as too much. No such thing as letting go.

She is the only beauty I see. The ending I want.

She’s more than I thought I’d ever find, and she’s not even mine.

It’s like time doesn’t exist and the world stopped spinning, and all that’s left is him…and her.

“I want you to have to kiss me because you can’t stand the thought of not,” he rasps. “I want it to be desperate and urgent and necessary.” He swallows, whispering, “But I want it to be mine and only mine.”

“Where you are is where I want to be.”

“Hey, Mase?” I say nothing, just wait. “I…I can’t stand the thought of not.”

She is the girl of my dreams. Please let me become the man of hers.

“I’m dead serious. I can’t compete with a ghost, so I won’t,” I promise. “He can keep your heart for all eternity. Just let me hold you for all of mine.”

“I love you, Pretty Little.” All the air whooshes from my lungs. “I will wait forever for just the chance you’ll love me back.”

“Tonight, I’m going to love you,” he promises. “Tomorrow, I’m going to ruin you, and the day after that?” His voice drops ten octaves, and he tugs my lower lip between his teeth. “Baby, the day after that…I’m going to punish you a little.”