Even When I'm Gone (Stay with Me, #2)

by Nicole Fiorina

“I’m not so sure what’s more terrifying, the violent storm inside my head or the silence.” —Oliver Masters

I would always know her touch. Every inch of her had seared into my soul like a permanent tattoo—because we once belonged. Though I was gone, the pills could never erase the imprints her hands had left behind on my skin; the places she had touched.

She’d always fit perfectly in my arms. She’d fit perfectly on top of me. I’d fit perfectly inside her. She’d fit perfectly beside me, against me, under me, bodies entangled and aligned. Every way, we’d fit without flaw.

He was both the hero and villain in our love story, saving me only to ruin me.

“Because love is constant. When you love someone, you can be angry with them, you can hate them, you can be upset or disappointed in them, but you never stop loving them because love endures all other emotions.”

“I’m stuck between I’ll never be enough and no one else will ever love you more.” —Oliver Masters

“The cruel irony is you are my forever but not my right now.” —Oliver Masters

Tears reminded us we could feel. Pain reminded us we were alive.

Her black heart was a shield and her lost soul had been searching—protecting herself from predators while wandering the earth for me.

Mia and I was something worth fighting for. We were written in the stars. That’s the thing about love. Once it touched you, it didn’t go away.

“You’re not broken, only bent to perfection.” —Oliver Masters

“Anything that happens to you, happens to me. Every blow, every setback, every burn, every bloody beating. You are not alone in this. You hurt, I hurt. You’re in pain, I’m in pain. Whatever you go through, I feel it because you’re a part of me. We’re in this together.”

Doctors saw imperfections, a mental illness, but all I saw was strength: a powerful mind and the ability to protect the rest of herself from it when needed.

“Kiss her crazy and love her insane.” —Oliver Masters

“I love you,” his voice shook through our kiss, and his hand wrapped around the back of my head to keep me together from turning into liquid. “Consuming, timeless, unselfish, love. I’d loved you in my darkest hour when I wasn’t myself, and I’ll love you in every lifetime after this.”

“Give me a love so intoxicating, I never suffer a hangover.” —Oliver Masters

“Close your eyes, love,” he said. “Where are we going?” “Under the stars.”

“Sometimes all we need is someone who will sit in the dark with us.” —Oliver Masters

“We’re not out of the woods yet, but let’s kiss in the leaves while we’re here.”