Under the Influence Quotes

“I swear on your Kindle, Cass.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“I have always belonged to you. I will always belong to you. Regardless of what you’ve done, what you do, or what you will do, I will forever be yours. And that’s my choice to make, whether you choose me or not.” I”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“He pauses, swallowing deeply. “I know firsthand how abuse can break a person. How damaging the effects can be as they whittle away at your will to live. How they carve away your humanity as they completely hollow you out, leaving you a shell of your former self when they’re finally done. But you…” He narrows his eyes on mine. “You are far from broken. Even though you still have your struggles, you find the strength to try to help others, to guide them through their own issues as you lead the way. Your positivity radiates to everyone around you, and those who are lucky enough to be in your presence will forever be changed by your ability to heal with something as simple as a touch or a smile.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“I question what it would be like to just let someone in, to tell them all of your unforgivable truths and discover they still love you in return. I find myself utterly fascinated, awe-struck even, that there are people actually capable of truly loving someone without wondering when and how they will be betrayed.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“Because the truth is, there’s nothing more frightening in my world than those who know you—who really know you.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“But in this rare moment, I will also concede that like a moth to a flame, I’m drawn to her. To her innocence. To her kindness. To her ability to love. To all the things I wish I was capable of but have sacrificed in order to survive.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“Love is a stubborn thing, it seems, both in life and in death.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“Tears rise in my eyes as I breathe in deeply, absorbing every piece he offers. I consume his anger, his heartbreak, his revulsion, even his agony—taking each and every broken shard into my heart as I cleanse them from his soul.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“You have changed me, altered my perception of a life I loathed and given me the strength to try to change it.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“A second chance is a gift that many, many people long to receive, yet sadly, few are given. Never forget that, sweetie. Be appreciative, return kindness, forgive quickly and love completely. Practice these traits that flourish inside of you because of your second chance, and you’ll always find yourself pointed in the right direction.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“I would give anything, sacrifice everything, for even the smallest of chances to experience the love that only Spencer can provide.
I would die for it.
I would die for her.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“I was broken too, Dalton. Shattered. Unsalvageable.”
My gaze falls to her lips, watching as they curl upward into a timid smile. “Until the day I met you, that is. The day that every single one of my fractured pieces permanently fused with yours, rebuilding me with renewed strength so I could stand strong and fight for you.” She shakes her head. “I won’t give up on you. I will never stop believing in you. And I will continue to fight for you until the day I die because without you here” – she brings my palm to her chest – “I do not exist.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“Teach me.”
The words escape me without thought, and I lift my pleading eyes to meet her puzzled expression . “I don’t know how to do this, Spence. How to love like you do. To live like you do.”
I pause briefly, trying to figure a way to explain so she will understand. “Emotions such as trust and compassion, feelings of patience and empathy – those gifts that come so naturally for you – I’ve never been able to understand, much less exercise. I need you to teach me because I want to be able to give you everything you deserve. And you deserve someone as flawless as you.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“I’m glad to be alive.
Because in her…I find purpose.
I want to be for her.
I want to exist just so I can experience her.
I want to live, to feel, to laugh, and to love with her.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“I open myself completely and give her all that I have – all that I am – and pray that it’s enough.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“The constant ache in my chest dwindles as it’s replaced with the fervor of renewed hope. Of the promise of love and acceptance with absolutely no expectation other than receiving mine in return.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“I want you, Spence, but I can’t have you. I won’t allow it. You’re too good, too pure, too innocent. And just as your presence soothes me, mine will eventually flaw you. It’s inevitable, and I care too much for you to let that happen.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“You think I don’t want you? Goddamn it, Spencer,” he bites. “I want you so much I can’t fucking breathe when I’m without you.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“No one gets to pick their circumstances, Greer. The choice lies in what you do in response to them. It’s not awarded to you, but it is yours for the taking.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“Spencer Locke is the only bit of humanity I permit myself to indulge in. She’s the one thing, the one person whose mere presence provides some sense of relief from the constant sense of asphyxiation I feel.
She is my reprieve.
My air.
Spencer Locke is the one slice of happy I have.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“The day he showed up on our porch, something happened while we watched that first sunset together. I don’t know how or why or if I can even put it into words, but we became forever connected. My hidden pain cried out for his, and his fiery rage searched for mine. It was as though the most deprived parts within each of us sense the other’s, then reached out and grabbed hold, essentially melding us together and making us whole.
I know it because I felt it.
I felt him.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence

“None of them truly know me.
Because the truth is, there’s nothing more frightening in my world that those who know you – who really know you. The ones who know your deepest, darkest secrets. The ones who know what you’re going to do before you do it. The ones who know not only what buttons to push when they seek your attention but also the ones that can be used to completely incapacitate you.
They can be your strength.
But they can also be your weakness.”
― L.B. Simmons, Under the Influence