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The woman whose smile makes me weak.

Whose singing fills my home.

Whose ridiculous inability to make Jell-O somehow became one of my favorite things in the world.

Amanda.

Christ.

I love her so much it physically hurts.

Three years ago, I walked away.

Three years ago, I convinced myself I was protecting her.

Three years ago, I almost destroyed the best thing I'd ever had.

Not again.

Never again.

Not while there's still breath in my body.

“LESS!”

Noel's voice echoes behind me.

“Wait for backup!”

I bark out a sound that’s half laugh half scream.

Wild.

Broken.

Because he doesn't understand.

No one understands.

Not really.

Somewhere these stairs are leading to my woman.

To my whole fucking heart.

And I'm getting her back.

I don't care what happens.

I don't care what it costs.

I don't care if I die doing it.

Because if Amanda Perkins is scared—if she's hurt and wondering why I haven't come—then I need her to know something.

I kept my promise.

I came.