When we break apart, we're both panting. I rest my forehead against hers, and whisper, "I'm so sorry."
She shakes her head, tears shining in her eyes. "I don't want your apologies, Wyatt. I want your promise."
I pull back just enough to look her in the eyes. "What promise?"
She grips my shirt so tight, her knuckles turn white. "That you'll fight for yourself. That you'll fight for us."
I swallow hard, heart hammering. "I swear to you, Willow. I'm done gambling. I'm done running. I'll do whatever it takes to be the man you deserve and the one I want to be."
She lets out a choked laugh, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Good. Because I'm all-in, Wyatt. I won't let you push me away this time. And I won't push you away. My mom made me realize today that I can't be half in."
"She did?"
"Yes. Right before she told me she'll kick your booty off the ranch if you hurt me again."
I crack a smile. "That's fair, but I'll make sure that doesn't happen." I hold her against me, breathing in the scent of her shampoo and warm skin.
She clings to me, and nothing feels better, but doubt claws at me. I reveal my fear. "What if I screw up again?"
She pulls back just enough to cup my face. "Then we'll deal with it. Together. One day at a time."
Emotion bubbles up inside me. "I don't deserve you."
She kisses me hard, shutting me up. When she breaks the kiss, she shakes her head. "Stop saying that.Iget to decide what I deserve. And I deserveyou."
I bury my face in her neck, breathing her in. "I love you, Willow."
She wraps her arms tighter around me. "I love you too. I always have."
For a long time, we hold each other. The world outside could fall apart, and I wouldn't care. She's here. She's mine. And I'm hers.
Eventually, she pulls back, eyes searching mine. "We need a plan."
I blink. "A plan?"
She nods, fierce and determined. "If you feel like you want to gamble, tell me. I won't judge you. Just no more secrets."
My throat tightens. "Okay. I'm going to keep going to meetings."
"Did it help?" she asks.
I shrug. "I don't know. But I think it helps to talk to others who have the same urges I do. It was kind of a relief, to be honest. To know I'm not the only one. Is that messed-up?"
She shakes her head. "No. Not at all. But we're in this together, Wyatt. You're not alone anymore."
A sob catches in my throat. She holds me tighter, grounding me. For the first time in years, the crushing loneliness lifts. Hope sparks in the darkness.
I pull her onto my lap, wrapping my arms around her. She curls into me, and I admit, "I missed you so damn much."
She shivers. "I missed you too."
We stay like that for a long time, tangled together, listening to each other breathe. My hands drift over her back.
Her fingers thread through my hair, teasing my scalp like she used to when we were teenagers sneaking around the ranch. She pulls back, her eyes still wet but determined. "Promise me one more thing."
"Anything," I vow.
She softly says, "Don't shut me out. No matter how ugly it gets."
