Page 73 of Worth Risking It

“I know that,” he spat, waving his arms to his sides. “You really think I don’t know that?”

I tugged at my bottom lip, staring at him incredulously. “You’re sacrificing and risking a lot to be faithful to me.”

“You’re worth it,” he whispered.

Sighing, I sank to my haunches, my palms slapping to my thighs. “What the hell are we going to do, Wyatt?” I breathed, deflating with exhaustion.

“We’re going to keep on doing what we’ve been doing. I know you love him, and I’m actually relieved.”

Startled, I shrugged and snorted. “Really?”

“Yeah, because you love him, it’s easier for you to pretend like nothing is happening behind his back.”

His palm covered his chest, his brows lifting. “I know you love me, kitten. I know you would choose to be with me, I know that. So, even though it hurts when you’re with him, I understand, so don’t feel guilty when you’re with him.

“Love him, Chazzy,” he whispered. “Stop fighting yourself and just accept that you’re in love with us both and you’re stuck in a situation you can’t get out of. You can only control how you live the life you were given.

“I don’t want you miserable and hating yourself. I’m confident in what you and I have, to not let the jealousy I feel when you’re with him to interfere or fuck up the love we have. This is a fucked up situation and there’s no way out, so we have to find a way to deal with it.”

Plopping to my bottom, my feet on the floor, tears welled. I was so sick of crying. I never cried before I met Milo, but since he waltzed into my life and claimed it, not a week went by I wasn’t sobbing at least once.

“This is so toxic and dysfunctional.”

“No,” he croaked, striding toward me. Cupping my cheek and lifting, he flashed a weak smile. “This is just our reality, and we need to make it work.”

Air filled my lungs and huffed out loudly, my fingers tucking into the waist of his jeans. “So, I keep loving Milo and marry him, and cherish our alone times when we have them.”

“Exactly.” Squatting, he searched my features for a moment. “If I could have all your love for myself, I would gladly take it. I would take you away from all this, marry you myself, and worship you every single day we had on this earth.

“That can’t happen, kitten. As long as Milo is alive, you belong to him. He will never let you go. I would rather you still loved him while you’re forced to be his, than not and be miserable. I can share you, if it brings you peace.”

My palms on his cheeks, I petted one. “Never forget that I love you, Wyatt.”

He smiled, his hand over mine. “I know, and that’s why every risk is worth it.”

Throwing my head back with a groan, I dipped my chin and rested my forehead to his. “I want to disappear with you. I would walk away from all this for you.”

“I know,” he whispered, caressing up and down my bicep. “And knowing that is why I can accept you being with Milo without hating every minute of it. Just accept things, Chazzy. Find peace. We can make this work if you stop fighting everything.”

His phone rang, that weird ringtone from last night.

My heart skipped, my muscles tensing. “Is that Amanda?”

“That is Melinda,” he warned, holding a finger out. Standing, he withdrew his cell and answered it. “Yeah? Oh my god, are you kidding me?”

“I can’t do this myself!” I heard her scream.

“Fine, fine. I’ll…shit. I’ll be there in about an hour and a half.”

He hung up and tapped the phone to his forehead. “Uh… ahem. So, I gotta head out to Wisconsin. A raccoon got into the cabin, and she’s locked it in the laundry room and she’s kind of freaking out. Can you just take the subway—”

“I’m coming with you.”

“Oh,” he snorted, shaking his head. “The fuck you are.”

I kicked off my shoes and hopped to my feet, stripping out of my clothes. “You can’t stop me.”

His head tilted, his teeth grazing his bottom lip as he slowly raked his sight over my curves.