We stand in silence, avoiding arguing when it’s one of the few things we’re good at doing. Ella runs her fingers through her hair and goes to the window, the cut on her cheek highlighted by the glowing lamp.
Pain she endured because I couldn’t keep her safe.
But I won’t let that happen again.
“We have to do this, Gable. We have to do it for Asher.”
I run my hand down my face and try to keep my cool. I’m not used to asking for anything. I demand, I get, because I know what’s right, especially in a situation like this.
“I’m not saying that we won’t get our revenge, Ella. I’m saying I’ll get you out, make sure you’re safe, and I’ll do this alone.”
She faces me, and her eyes shine. “You want to separate.”
Separate. It feels too intimate a word. Like we have something to split, like she’d notice the tear.
I fold my arms. “It was always going to end this way, wasn’t it? Were we supposed to run off into the sunset together?” My words cut, and I hate myself for it. They scatter like shards of glass, butchering my heart, but it’s needed. “There’s a reason you were with mybrother first. He deserved you. He was good to you. You were never supposed to be mine, Ella. You were always Asher’s.”
A tear falls down her cheek, and it takes every bit of strength I have not to kiss it away and take it all back.
“So, that’s it?” she asks, brushing away the drops on her face.
I nod. “That’s it.” Her lip trembles, and she looks down. “Hunter will show you to a guest room. It’s easier that way. We’ll leave in the morning.”
Every step I take from her shatters a heart I honestly didn’t think I had.
I fought for her. Bled for her. Would have died for her.
More than that, I’d have lived for her.
I’d have stepped out of the darkness and let myself be happy for her. Left this all behind.
But that’s what’s good for me, not for her.
I reach my room, needing the quiet, the silence, because I’m choking on everything I’ve just said.
“You’re an ass.”
I turn, and Ella is in the doorway, her face wet with tears.
My sigh is exasperated. “Ella, just?—”
“You’re right: Asher deserved me. He was special. And wonderful, and kind, and everything a person wants. I’ve written a dozen Ashers. He was a dream. Perfect.” I grit my teeth against the jealousy swarming my gut. “You know what you are, Gable?”
I steel myself for this, because I expected it from day one. The anger. The resentment. Her hate.
“What? Tell me.”
She searches my face. “You’re better than my imagination.” My gaze snaps to hers, and fresh tears roll down her cheeks. “You make me feel things I didn’t even know Icould. You brought me to life when I thought I’d died. I cared for Asher, I will always treasure the time I had with him, but …” She lets out a sob and presses the back of her hand to her mouth. “I love you, Gable.”
The words stun me into silence. I don’t move, don’t blink, can hardly breathe as she watches me.
“I love you, and I don’t want to lose you.” She closes the space between us. “Don’t leave me.”
I never expected to hear those words from anyone but Asher or Hunter, and even then, I didn’t deserve them. Asher deserved a better brother, Hunter a better son, and Ella deserves a better partner.
“It’s only a matter of time before I fuck up your life,” I say.
“Stop it. Stop that,” she whispers. “Why don’t you think you deserve to be happy?”
