“Thank you,” I tell Kennedy as I rush out the door.
“Where are you going?” Declan calls out to me.
“To get my girl,” I call back. It feels damn good to shout out the truth for once. I press my foot against the gas just a little harder than I should, hoping like hell I don’t get behind a tractor on the way.
When I pull into her driveway, all the lights are off, but her car is here. Grabbing my keys and my phone, I make my way up the porch. I knock lightly and wait but get no answer. Pulling my keys out of my pocket, I unlock the door and slip inside. Closing the door softly, I engage the lock and blindly make my way down the hall to her room.
When I reach her door, I can hear her cries, and my heart breaks. How could she think that I would choose Mindy over her? I push open the door, and she jumps, sitting up. From the glow of the small bedside lamp, streaks of tears are visible.
“Sterling.” She swallows hard. “What are you doing here?”
“I came for you.” I take one step closer and stop. My heart is raging like a lion that’s been caged far too long.
“I told you I wasn’t feeling well.”
“Bullshit.” The word is soft, barely audible, but I know she hears me. “Bullshit,” I say again, this time louder.
“W-What?”
“I love you.” I take another step and then another until I drop to my knees so that we’re eye to eye from her place on the edge of the bed. I cradle her face and wipe at her tears with my thumbs. “I’m in love with you. You’re my best friend and the love of my life.”
Her lips part to say something, but instead, a sob breaks free. More tears coat her cheeks as her big brown eyes take me in. In them, I see hope, fear, and love. So much fucking love, my breath hitches in my chest.
“Kennedy told me what Mindy said, but, baby, she led you on. I know what you saw, and it’s not at all what you think.”
“What were you doing in my spare bedroom with her?”
“I was in there for me, and she found me there.”
“She was touching you.”
I nod. “I didn’t want her to touch me. I only want your touch on my skin.” My thumbs continue to swipe at her cheeks.
“She said you were having dinner together.” Her voice is small, but there’s also a hint of hope in her tone.
“She lied, Tink. She cornered me, telling me her dad needed something welded. I took his number because I didn’t want to give her mine and told her that I would reach out to him. Now that I know what she said, I’m sure she was lying about her dad as well. We’re not having dinner. We’re not going out. There is nothing going on. Nothing.” I stare deep into her eyes, willing her to believe me.
“I thought you chose her.”
“Never. There is no one I would ever choose over you.”
“We’re different.”
I nod. “We have been for a while now.”
“I don’t want to lose you, Sterling.”
“Never.” I stand and sit on the bed, pulling her onto my lap. She rests her cheek on my shoulder as more tears fall. She’s in a soft-pink, silky nightgown that has my cock straining against my zipper. I have to get us out of this room before I devour her.
Standing, I adjust my hold on her and make my way out of the room. “What are you doing?”
“It’s a nice night. I want to look at the stars with you.” She doesn’t comment or resist. Once we reach the door, I have to place her on her feet to unlock it and step outside. Taking her by the hand, I guide her to one of the chairs and sit, pulling her onto my lap.
“I got your shirt all wet,” she says, pointing to the tear-stained spot on my shoulder.
“Not worried about my shirt, baby.” To prove that to her, I grip the hem, pull it up over my head, and toss it to the ground. “Come here.”
She turns to me and places one hand on my cheek and the other slides behind my neck. She stares into my eyes, looking for what I’m not sure about. But when she speaks, I know we’re going to be okay.