Page 93 of Pink and Country

“I’m sorry, Carter. I was helping with a situation back there. I was only gone for two minutes. This won’t happen again,” he said. His throat bobbed. I breathed out and calmed down.

When I spoke, I weighed each word. “Never let her out of your sight ever again.” My tone was sharper than I intended. I unclenched my balled fists. “It’s okay, man, I’ll deal with this. Just make sure the Queen Bitch stays away from us.” Taylor nodded and stepped back next to Ed, giving April and me a little privacy.

My girl sat on the floor, her dress meticulously splayed out beside her. She treated everything in her life with so much love and care. Me included.

My hands gripped the legs of my trousers, loosening them over my thighs, allowing me to kneel beside her. April lifted her chin, and I squatted lower to level our gazes.

“Hey, Fairy.”

April blinked, trying to keep the unshed tears at bay, her eyes red and glossy. “I missed my song.” I curled a hand around her neck and pulled her to my chest. To my heart. A knot in my stomach slackened.

“Don’t believe a word Savannah said. She’s an envious woman. An opportunist. She dated me for fame. Behind closed doors, she wanted nothing to do with me. She thought I’d be her puppet. Her ticket to stardom or something. I despise everything about her. I want to be with you, April. No one else. I wish you’d see yourself through my eyes and realize how wonderful you are.” When she lowered her head, I backed up a little and tipped her chin up with my forefinger. “You’re the only woman I want to spend my nights with. You’re the only woman I want to hold in my arms all the time. You’re the only woman who challenges me, who makes me want to be better, who makes my heart beat faster. You’re the only woman I’ve ever cuddled for hours.”

April closed her eyes and hung her head low.

“April, you’re incredible. Do you know how lucky I am? We’re good together. Fuck this circus. If you want to leave, just say the word. I’ll follow you to the end of the world if I have to.”

She stayed silent for a minute. A long, never-ending, fat minute.

“You meant everything you said?”

I inhaled, and all my doubts left me. “All of it. And more.”

April sighed, and a shy smile peeked through her tears.

“You were right, Savannah Prince is evil.”

“She used to say awful things to me. She’s psycho. I’m sorry Taylor wasn’t around, April. I don’t want anything to do with her. Never again. I want you.”

“I want you too,” April said in a low whisper.

“Does that mean you’ll stay in Green Mountain with me?”

“I’m not sure if I should.” Tears filled her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” My heart floundered in my chest, and shivers ran along my spinal cord.

April patted the skin around her eyes with her fingers, then looked at her fingertips. “Shit, my makeup,” she exclaimed, her laugher a high-pitched sound under her sobs.

“Talk to me.”

Her lower lip quivered. “I’m damaged, Carter. You shouldn’t want to be with me.” I cupped her face, leveling our eyes. “You should push me away now before we’re too deep into this.”

“What are you talking about?” I sat down next to her on the dirty floor, my legs stretched in front of me, our backs leaning against the wall. I loosened the bowtie around my neck and pulled April in my lap, the need to comfort her stronger than ever. “I see you, Fairy. All of you. There’s nothing broken about you.”

She’s perfect the way she is. Why would she want me to push her away?

“Except for my friend Saunders, everybody I’ve ever cared for in my life has always ditched me—”

I raised a brow, waiting for her to explain further.

“I’m alone in this world, I have no family. People always leave me. There’s something wrong about me, but I haven’t figured out what it is yet.” She shrugged. “I’ve learned to accept it. It’s like I was born with this curse. And I am ignorant about how to break it.”

April fidgeted with the gold band on her right ring finger.

“You’re not cursed. Don’t push me away because you’re afraid I’ll leave you too. It’s not going to happen. Don’t let whatever Savannah said toy with your mind. I’m not going away. Give us a chance.” I cleared my throat, swallowing my emotions down. “Think about it. Please.” April nodded, her head still low.

My hands framed her face, and I brushed her tears away with my thumbs. April’s eyes found mine, and I saw the fear and doubts swimming in them. I also saw strength and hope. My lips dropped a kiss on her painted lips.