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His jaw rolls. “Elaine couldn’t live with it,” he continues, quieter now. “Three weeks after we held our daughter for the last ...
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This whole ride… He’s been uncomfortable the entire time, hasn’t he? But not once did he say a word about it. Not once did he let it show. And suddenly, I remember—he wasn’t even going to ride. He was going to sit it out entirely, being the odd man out. But the second Asher stepped away and I was left standing there, alone, Maddox didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward, wordless, taking the empty seat beside me without giving me a choice. He’d rather face the lurching fear of the Ferris wheel than let me go up alone.
I frown, shifting slightly in my seat. “Why did you come with me?” I ask softly, keeping my voice even.
“Would’ve been worse watching you go without me,” he mutters, his voice rougher than usual.
My chest aches, and warmth floods through me, tangling with something else, something deeper. I shouldn’t feel this way. Shouldn’t let this affect me. But it does. Maddox swallows, finally shifting his gaze to mine. His blue eyes are sharp, assessing, but there’s a rawness beneath the surface. An unguarded expression, just for a second.
“Are you going to tell me I’m an idiot for that?” His voice dips lower. It’s meant to be teasing, but I ...
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“Come on, angel,” he murmurs. “Let’s get you back on solid ground.”
I haven’t been on solid ground since we met, I think.
“Are you hiding from the rest of us? Or just waiting for the government drones disguised as seagulls to report back?”
“So tell me something, Ari.”
“What do you want?”
“I mean, what do you actually want? Out of life. Out of yourself. Out of him.”
“Those are loaded questions.”
“I can handle it.”
“I want peace.”
My smirk fades slightly. “Peace?”
“I want to wake up one day and not feel like the world is sitting on my chest. I want to stop thinking about everyone else before myself. I want to…” She hesitates, then shakes her head. “I don’t know. I just don’t want to be responsible for everything all the time.”
“My dad was strict. We weren’t allowed frivolous things. I had to be a good example for my sisters. I went to college, got a master’s degree right off the bat. I never had a chance to just… breathe. My mom’s life revolves around my dad. Whatever he wants, she wants. She was never truly on our side, you know? She was a good mom, but she’s not prone to thinking for herself. We’re not that close.” She exhales, shaking her head. “But the worst part? I don’t even know who I’d be without all of it. If given time to be myself instead of who my father expected me to be… who would I be right now?”
“It’s like I was raised to be useful before I was ever allowed to just… exist. Forever the lieutenant’s daughter.”
“That’s bullshit.” My voice is rough, edged with something raw. “You’re not just some tool for other people to use, Ari. Not your dad. Not Asher. Not anyone.”
“You don’t have to be strong all the time.” I reach out, brushing my knuckles against her cheek. Softly. Slowly. “You don’t have to carry everything alone.”
“And who’s going to carry it for me?”
I don’t hesitat...
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Maddox *cries*
“Yeah, that’s what they all say. Men are all the same.”
“Your dad did a real number on you, didn’t he?”
“I don’t want to talk about him anymore.”
“Too bad.” I shift closer, my voice dropping. “I bet he made you think you had to be perfect. That you couldn’t ask for help. That love was...
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“You don’t know anything ...
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“I know more than you think.” I reach out, brushing a lock of hair from her face. She flinches, but she doesn’t pull away. “And I know you’re tired, angel. I can see it....
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“I should be with Asher.” Her voice is quiet, but there’s something hollow in it. Like she’s convincing herself. “He’s stable. He’s safe...
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“How’s that working out...
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“I don’t know why you’re doing this. You can’t have me.”
I smirk, leaning in so our noses almost brush. “Watch me.”
Ari shakes her head, the struggle written all over her face....
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“Yeah, the fuck you can.” My grip tightens slightly, not enough to hurt—just enough to make her feel it. Make h...
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“I’m dating your brother,” she whispers, a final attempt at logic.
I let out a low, dark chuckle. “I don’t fucking care.”
“You’re impossible.”
I tilt my head, my voice dipping lower. “I’m inevitable.”
“Run while you still can, little warrior.” I watch the way her breath catches, betraying her. Leaning in, I let my lips hover just above her ear, close enough that she can feel the heat of my breath. “But we both know you won’t get far.”
“When you’re ready to stop lying to yourself, you know where to find me.” My voice is low, steady, laced with the kind of certainty that doesn’t leave room for doubt. I brush my fingers over her jaw, the touch deceptively soft. “But I’m getting real fucking tired of watching you pretend you don’t want this just as much as I do.”
I tilt my head, studying her, letting the shroud of my words sink in. “So keep running, if that’s what you need to do. But don’t kid yourself.” I grip her tighter, just enough to make sure she’s listening. “Because when you finally give in?” My voice dips into something dark and possessive. “I’ll be right here. Waiting.”
She’s unraveling. And I can’t wait to watch it happen, because as soon as she does… She’s mine. Wholly. Completely. Forever.
Asher exhales, running a hand through his hair. “I’m saying that I want to be better, Ari. I do. But my job is—” A pause. A helpless shrug. “It’s always going to come first. I hope you understand.”
Whata fucking douchebag
A dull, resounding thud echoes in my chest. There it is. Honest. Blunt. Final. The classic nail in the coffin. I don’t know why I’m surprised.
I look away, staring out at the waves, swallowing past the lump forming in my throat. “I don’t think that’s fair to me,” I murmur, my voice barely audible over the crashing surf.
He stiffens. “What do you mean?”
I inhale slowly, steadying myself. I deserve better. And I don’t mean Maddox. I don’t. This isn’t about him. This is about me. About the fact that I’ve spent two years molding myself into the perfect, easygoing, supportive girlfriend. About the fact that I never ask for too much. That I never demand more than what he’s willing to give. Because somewhere deep down, I knew. I knew he would never choose ...
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I let out a shaky breath and meet his eyes, finally. “I guess I always just hoped you’d wake up one day and dec...
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And when Asher’s phone buzzes for the third time during dinner, I don’t even flinch. I just lift my wineglass, holding Maddox’s gaze as I take a slow, deliberate sip.
