“Oh my God,” I said, covering my mouth with my fingers. I could still feel Damien there, the gentleness of his kiss. He never hid how much he wanted me—and not just in the bedroom. He’d fought for us for so long, and yet, when things got challenging, I was the one who ran away without giving him a chance. “I really messed up.”
“Nah.” She smiled as she moved to my side, slinging her arm around my shoulders. “Nothing you can’t fix now. But Bri?” She turned us so we faced each other. “Be sure this is what you want. One time is forgivable, but people won’t wait forever for you to get over your fears. It’s not fair to ask them to. So if you’re going to be with Damien,be with him. Don’t constantly look over your shoulder, waiting for him to fail.”
“I won’t.” I pulled Ollie into a tight hug, ignoring the tears clinging to the corners of my eyes. When I pulledback, I wiped them away with the pads of my thumbs. “I want forever with him, Ol.”
“Duh.” She snorted. “That guy’s had your heart since day one. Glad you’re finally owning it.”
“I need to go,” I muttered, searching around the room for my purse and phone. “I need to talk to him.”
“Agree.” Ollie glared at my dress. “But not wearing that thing. We can do so much better.”
FORTY-TWO
My feet moved as fast as possible as I rushed through the parking garage, desperate to get to the stadium. Now that I’d decided to tell Damien I wanted to be with him, I wasn’t about to waste a single moment. We’d already missed out on too much time because of my stubbornness.
As I pulled my keys out of my purse, I ran my shaking hands down the lines of Damien’s jersey, hopeful he’d still want to see me in it. The last time I’d worn it, it was before his injury, and I hadn’t touched it since. Ollie tried to loan me one of her sleek designer dresses, but this seemed the most fitting thing to wear when I admitted I loved him.
Even if Damien never wore his jersey again, I wanted to stand by his side, to be the one to make him smile. He’d spent so much time proving his love to me, and now, it was my turn. He’d gone through so much, but his love for me never wavered, and he’d spent all his free time showing me how much he cared. If it took the rest of my life, I’d make it up to him, prove I loved him just as much.
As I walked up to my car, I unlocked the doors. But before I could climb in, my name echoed across the parkinggarage. Turning around, I frowned, finding Todd walking toward me. Despite his immaculate tuxedo, his demeanor seemed off. His dark blond hair was disheveled, his eyes bloodshot and rimmed red. Concern made my stomach drop as I walked closer to him.
“Todd?” I asked, my voice echoing off the concrete walls. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong?” He scoffed, swaying a little on his feet. When he came closer, the heavy scent of tequila clogged my senses, making my eyes water. “Everything, Bri.”
I stepped back, holding out my hands to keep the distance between us. Todd wasn’t like this. He’d drink socially when we were together, but he seldom drank at home and never to this level. It made anxiety twist through my gut, and I glanced over my shoulder, hoping to see anyone else around. But it was a Friday night, and most people were out or already tucked away at home. We were the only ones around.
I shook my head. “You should go, Todd. Get cleaned up. You’re getting married in an hour.”
He chuckled, but the sound held little humor. “No, I’m not. The wedding is off.”
“What are you talking about?”
He stepped closer and tried to place his hands on my neck, but I stepped back, glad I’d exchanged my heels for sneakers. Being around Todd right now was like being trapped with a stranger, one who reeked of anger and despair. His eyes narrowed at me. “I called the fucking wedding off, Bri. Because of you.”
“Me?” I sucked in a labored breath. “What does any of this have to do with me?”
Todd shook his head. “I fucked up, Bri. Our marriage—you—were perfect. And then I got bored and thought Emily was better for me.” He leaned down, flicking my hair over my shoulder. “But she could never be you.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Why not?” Todd hissed. “You and I both know we belong together. Fuck, even your family knows. Why do you think your mother kept inviting me around? It was only a matter of time.”
I shook my head and took a large step away from him. My back collided with the trunk of my car, and panic made my heart jump. I tucked the keys into my hand, wishing I’d gotten out here a few minutes earlier. I should have been with Damien, safely tucked against his chest. Instead, I was stuck here, trying to get away from my drunk ex-husband while he waxed on about our ‘perfect’ marriage.
When Todd tried to touch me again, I slapped his hand away. “Don’t. We’re done, our marriage is over. If there’s anyone you should talk to, it’s Emily, not me.”
“Don’t say that,” he whined. “It’s you and me, Bri. Always and forever.”
He leaned forward and took my hips in his hands, dragging me against his wobbling frame. Nausea rushed through me, and I fought back, pushing and shoving to get away.
“Is that how you like it?” he whispered in my ear. “You want to fight me? Want me to work for it? I’ll do it—I’ll do anything to have you again.”
“Todd, stop,” I shrieked, trying to get his hands off me. Every place he touched stung, and I twisted, trying to get away, but he dug in harder, to the point of pain. I clawed at him. “Get off me.”
“Not until you admit it. Not until you say you want me back. We both know you do. You’re mine,Brianna. My wife.”
“No,” I cried out, pushing him away with all my might. Todd stumbled back, anger replacing the sadness in his eyes. My chest pounded with fear, hating the unease that slithered through me under his glare. I fought past it, steadying my breath. “We’re done, Todd. You need to move on.”
