“I know, but they can’t get through to him like I can. Brooks, I don’t want to hurt you, but he coulddie, and that would be on my conscience. I have to go calm down the situation, and then I can come back.”
“I need you here.” I cross to her and cup her face. “Baby,Ineed you here. I haven’t seen you in months. Haven’t touched you, held you, kissed you. Christ, we haven’t had sex in more than nine months?—”
“A man’s life is a little more important than sex, Brooks.”
I let go of her completely and step away, my heart hammering.
“He manipulates you. That son of a bitch controls you, Juliet.”
She shakes her head and pushes her hands through her blond curls. “I can’t have this conversation with you again. It always comes back to your jealousy.”
“I’m not the jealous one. Isn’t it convenient that he pulls this stunt the day you’re coming home tome, Jules? He did it at Christmas, too.”
“He’s sick, and?—”
“I. Don’t. Fucking. Give a shit.” My voice is hard and a little mean now, but I can’t help it. Christ, my heart is being ripped out of my chest. “I care aboutyou, and I see you being used and controlled, and it pisses me off. If you leave here today and go back to him in Seattle, we’re done.”
Fuck! How did we get here?
Her face goes white.
“Brooks.”
“I’m serious. I’m not bluffing. He’s bullying you, and I won’t just stand by and let it happen. I won’t sit here and be secondplace anymore. I’ve talked to you about this until I’m blue in the face, but you won’t fucking listen, so now I’m telling you that I need you to stay here for the week like we planned. If you choose to go to him, I won’t be here anymore.”
I swallow hard, feeling like I might throw up. Jesus.
Jesus.
What is even happening?
My wildfire takes a long, shaky breath, and just when I think she’s going to come to her senses, she shakes her head.
“What you’re asking isn’t fair.”
And that’s my answer.
“Goodbye, Juliet.”
With my heart bleeding outside of my chest, I leave her bedroom and head for the door.
“Brooks!”
“You’ve made your choice. Better go take care of a man who doesn’t need your help.”
“That’snot fair.”
I spin and take her face in my hands. “You want to know what isn’t fair? The fact that I was literally minutes away from giving youeverything, and you just threw it all back in my fucking face. Have a good life, Jules.”
I slam my mouth onto hers one last time, then push her away and walk out the door.
Christ.
Jesus fucking Christ.
Now I have to find a way to tell my family that not only aren’t we engaged, but she’s gone. She’s gone, and she’s never coming back to me.
Chapter One
