But with Patrick, all the self-consciousness falls away. If anyone can see past all my imperfections, it’s him. He comes back to the bed, pulling my panties down and throwing them somewhere in the room.
“Are you sure?” His voice is gruff. He’s giving me another chance to stop this. To change the trajectory of the night, but it’s too late. I’m all in.
Nodding, I spread my legs wider, making room for him. He leans over me. One hand beside my head and the other lining himself up to me. He’s probably thought about this night more than I ever have. But I know I can’t go another day without feeling what it’s like to be with this man.
I brush my hands along his sides and he flinches. I forgot how ticklish he is. Holding back a smile, I move my hands to his ass and pull him toward me. He rocks into me until we get into rhythm with each other.
This is how it’s always supposed to have been. Me and him. It took me fifteen years to realize that, and now I don’t know how I’ll be able to let him leave. To go back to my day-to-day life while he’s in Texas, so very far away from me.
It’s not long before both of us are panting. Whispering each other’s names into the night. He rocks faster until my world explodes and all I can see is him. He follows along soon after.
He moves to take care of the condom and I run to the restroom. Tonight, has been everything I hoped it would be. I can only hope we can figure the rest out.
A loud whisper wakes me up. Patrick is on the phone pacing in front of the bed. When he realizes I’m awake, he tells whoever is on the phone to hold on. He covers the speakers, and comes to sit by me. “I didn’t mean to wake you up.”
“It’s fine,” I point toward his phone, “I’ll get ready while you finish up your call.”
He gives me a quick peck on top of my head and waits until I’m in the restroom to speak again. He doesn’t sound happy, and I can’t help but feel like our time has come to an end.
I pull the gems out of my hair and turn on the shower. Luckily, the hotel comes with toiletries because I don’t want to go back out there and get my own. Making quick work of bathing and washing my hair, I step out of the shower and wrap myself in a towel.
When I open the door, he’s no longer on the phone, but he’s changed and throws his clothes into a bag. “Is everything okay?”
He glances up at me and does his best to hide his frustration. “I hate to do this, but I need to take you home and haul ass to Texas. One of our food vendors is being an asshole and refuses to deal with anyone but me.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Not really.”
“Okay.” I get dressed in the leggings and oversized shirt Kelly packed for me. After running a brush through my hair, I put my stuff in my bag and text Kelly letting her know we’re checking out. She doesn’t respond. I didn’t expect her to. She’s most likely sleeping off a hangover.
“You ready?”
Nodding I grab my bag and throw it over my shoulder.
It’s not long before he’s dropping me off at my house. He walks me to my door and leans in to give me a kiss. I back away and see the pain flicker across his face. “I’m so sorry. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
“It’s fine. I guess I’ll see you at the next reunion.” It’s a shitty remark, but I have to protect my heart. He doesn’t come home, and I can’t leave right now.
“Jay, don’t do this. We can make long distance work until we figure things out.”
“Okay.” It’s all I can say right now. Who’s to say he won’t forget all about me for another fifteen years. It’s partially my fault, I know that. But knowing he’s leaving again feels like a knife to the heart. “Call me when you get home.”
“I will.” He leans down and presses a kiss to the top of my head. Somehow knowing what I need at this very moment. My heart squeezes as I watch him get into his truck and back out of my driveway.
17
Patrick
I don’t even bother goingto my house. I’ve had hours to play over the last interaction I had with Jaylen this morning. Her being upset is perfectly fine, but when she pulled away from me. That was a kick to the gut. And her dig about me not coming back until the next reunion was completely valid. What else could she think? I stayed away for fifteen years.
Parking in my normal spot, I turn off the truck and slam my door shut. My feet hit hard against the pavement as I storm into Out of the Ashes. Eric sees me and motions me toward the office. He knows the conversation we’re about to have, is best behind closed doors.
I close the door behind me and whirl on him. “What the fuck happened?” It’s not often I lose my temper, but this has put a kink in the relationship I was trying to build while I was back home.
Eric raises his hands in defense. As if I would actually hit him. I’m not that big of a dick. “Viv placed the food order, but when it got here it wasn’t right. The vendor said she got it wrong, and she said he did. I tried to smooth things out, but he won’t talk to anyone but you and Angie.”
“Well, where’s Angie?” This is her bar. She should be here to handle it.
