My brow creased as I chewed my bottom lip. “Ryleigh?”
“If that’s what you think is holding her back.” He turned to face me. “Skye’s a strong woman, Shay. She built a life for herself while entrenched in pain she’d forced to take a backseat. But you’re her weakness. You make her question herself. Her no to you, will always be a yes. It’s why she walked away from you the second time, even though it shattered her—”
“Wait. What second time?” I set the bottle on the rail.
“At the hospital in Germany. I think it was when you injured yourself.”
Shock rendered me speechless. I clasped both sides of my head and paced the floor. “Are you telling me Skye was there?” It was her I’d seen in the window when I came to.
“Yeah, apparently Ryleigh asked her to leave.”
“Oh, my fucking God.” I uttered a dry laugh. Once more Ryleigh had manipulated time and space between Skye and me. “I’ve broken that woman more times that should be possible for the man who loves her to do.” I shook my head.
“Make it right, Shay. Go to her now. Don’t let her hurt anymore.” Caleb patted my back. “Give her the love and life she’s been seeking for so long.
Nodding, I walked away, then stopped and came back. “Thank you, man. Fuck.” I laughed again and he smiled.
“Go.”
As I walked away, a burst of energy sang through my soul. This was going to end tonight. My Blue would dance again.
If only I hadn’t stopped the music, then...
45. Always – Atlantic Starr
Skye – 25 years
I was in the kitchen, pouring myself a mug of hot chocolate when a persistent pounding on the front door had me frowning. Setting the hot pot back on the burner, I hurried to open it.
“Shay?” Surprised, I stared at him only then noticing his heavy breathing, flared nostrils and clenched jaw. “What’s wrong? Griffin?” I searched the darkness behind him, my heart about to jump on the bandwagon of fear. Because he was having fun with his grandfather and Jesse, I’d allowed him to stay late at Shay’s place after Caleb offered to drop him off when he was leaving.
“He’s fine. Can I come in?”
I stood aside to let him enter. When I closed the door and turned around, Shay pulled me into his arms. He didn’t kiss me or touch me, it was like an ordinary hug between friends. Baffled, I slipped my arms around his waist and let him have his moment.
“I’m sorry, baby,” he said when he leaned back. “For everything.”
