AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nodded.
“Rhys, I also want to thank you for stepping in and protecting me from Chad.”
“It came naturally.”
“I know.” Riley took a deep breath, keeping her eyes on mine. “Now, here’s the main thing that I want to talk to you about. Early this morning, my daddy told me about what you did last year. I know you asked him and my momma for permission to marry me. You also showed them the engagement ring that you bought for me.”
It suddenly felt like needles were pricking the back of my throat. “I did do that, but I thought you already knew.”
“No. I was shocked to find out, and I feel even more awful about how badly I hurt you. I cannot imagine the depth of your pain and what you went through. I am so very sorry. Please forgive me.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “Riley, I don’t need another apology from you. But if you need my forgiveness, you have it.”
She shook her head as her bottom lip quivered.
“May I tell you what I need from you more than anything?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“I need you to tell me when you stopped wanting to build a life with me. I asked you that on the day you ended us, but you wouldn’t answer me.”
“I know. I barely got out telling you I wanted to break up and was moving to Fort Worth.”
“I remember.”
“Rhys, my wanting something more didn’t happen all at once. It was a gradual process that had nothing to do with you and everything to do with me. In my last semester of dental hygienist college, I thought about moving to Dallas, Fort Worth, and even Austin because I was so tired of small-town life.”
“Why didn’t you say something to me?”
“There was no point. I knew living here was the only life you wanted.”
“It is. I love our hometown and the people. I love the land in this part of Texas. But Riley—I would’ve moved anywhere you wanted to keep you by my side. Getting a job wouldn’t have been a problem since I have my business degree. We would’ve made it just fine.”
“I couldn’t ask you to leave Cypress Hills because you belong here. It’s in your blood and your bones.”
“Is there any of it still left in yours? Do you ever miss being here?”
“Yes. For some reason, this trip home has made me realize how much. I guess I made the wrong choice, starting my life over. I was selfish for wanting more.”
I shook my head in disagreement. “You weren’t selfish. You have every right to do what you want in life. Sometimes taking those steps hurts others when you don’t mean to.”
“I never wanted to hurt you.”
“I know you didn’t, but you outgrew me, so some pain was sure to follow. There’s no easy way to say goodbye.”
“That’s why I made ours quick. I wanted to get the bleeding over with for both of us.”
I paused to think about what Riley had just said. Then I told her the truth about myself. “I’m still bleeding, but it’s not your fault. My memories of us keep my veins open, and so does my still being in love with you.”
Riley’s eyes grew big.
“It’s okay,” I assured her. “You don’t have to reply to that. I just wanted you to know.”
We kept looking at each other without saying anything. Then, I slowly reached out and cradled Riley’s face in my hand. She leaned into it and closed her eyes, causing the tears that’d been brimming in them to trickle down her cheeks. Seeing them, I could no longer contain my emotions and let them flow.
When Riley looked at me again, she noticed the streaks on my face and gently wiped them away. Then I did the same to her as we struggled to regain our composures.
“Will you tell me one more thing?” I asked her.
