What Lies Between (Where One Goes Book 2)

by B.N. Toler

I hadn’t realized I was crying, but it made sense. Love is terrifying. It has the power to seep its way through your body like heroin, giving you the most exquisite high, or blaze you over and scorch you to ash. So many people chase it, while others run away. We’re addicted to the pleasure and the pain. I understood what he meant about me being his high—George McDermott was my drug of choice. And it terrified me.

Every person unravels at some point, everyone’s fabric rips and the stuffing begins to come out, and if we’re unable to collect ourselves—stow our tears and contain the hurt—someone else has to step in. That’s what love is. It’s not always a hand to hold or a shoulder to lean on; sometimes it’s a kick in the ass.

People think the measure of strength is determined by those who never waiver, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. True strength is measured by those who hit rock bottom and, instead of losing hope and wallowing in their misery, they fight.

“Sniper was my best buddy. We met while I was in the military, and we hit it off. He’s a gigantic teddy bear with nipple rings who says bad words and speaks inappropriately to women.”

“They don’t have funerals for when you lose respect for someone. You just have to live the rest of your days knowing this person was not who you thought they were.”

“I’m so fucking angry,” I yelled, squeezing my eyes shut and pushing to my feet. “Why?” I shouted. “Why do this to me again? What did I do?” The hurt raged through

me overpowering any rational thoughts. I wanted to hit something or someone, hard. Something shoved me, and I lurched forward. Once I caught my footing, I spun around and found Axel with his fists up, hopping foot to foot, hyping himself up. “You need to hit something,” he said as he jutted his chin at me. “Come at me, bruh.”

I know, you gave her to me once. Maybe you really didn’t have a choice about it; maybe if you had, you wouldn’t have, but I know

you trusted her with me.” He clenched his eyes closed. “So now I give her back to you, Ike. Take care of her. Take care of our child.”