For Wrath and Redemption (The Hometown Heartless)

by Brit Benson

You matter. Your health matters. Take care of you.

To the well-intentioned but misunderstood⁠— Even if they can’t forgive you, forgive yourself. You deserve your happily ever after.

Fuck her great tits. She’s annoying as hell.

“Are you saying you’re my queen, then?” “Your words. Not mine.” “The queen’s the most important piece on the board, Davis. Sounds to me like that’s you.”

“Sometimes you have to cut away the worn-down parts of yourself,” Mabel says. “The shit weighing you down. You’ve got to shed it so you can move forward.”

“I pay attention to every single thing you do, and it’s driving me fucking crazy.”

“I pay attention. The way you blush. The way you think. The way you fucking smell. You’re all I can think about, and I want you. I want you, Claire, and it’s going to get me in so much fucking trouble. But you want to know a secret?” “Yes,” I whisper, and I feel him smile. “Trouble is my weakness.”

Fuck her. Fuck Claire Davis for being the only woman I’ve ever wanted to keep.

“I regret it because you fucking own me now. I regret it because you consume me. But God, I want it. I want it even if you’ll just trap me and take all my money.”

“I don’t want privacy, Trouble. I don’t want a longer leash. You could tether me to your leg, and I’d fucking love it.”

“You’re mine, Claire Davis.” He growls the words into my mouth possessively, almost angrily, with his hand still wrapped around my throat. “Do you understand what I’m saying? You’re mine.” I nod and take his lips again. I understand. I don’t think he does, though. Not the true extent of it. He might mean I’m his right now, but my heart will be his forever. Checkmate, Jonah Hendrix. You’ve won.

“I couldn’t love myself until I knew I was someone deserving of her love.”

“Falling in love feels like falling to your death.” “Jesus. Then why do people do it?” “Because it’s the revival that feels so sweet.”

“Do you still love me, Trouble?” “Yes. Do you still love me?” “Endlessly.”