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Nix tugged my hand. “Get back up here, Birdie.”
My soft laughter drifted over him as I climbed up beside him and laid my head on his chest. “That was… weird.”
“That was a man who knows he fucked up, B.”
“What do you mean?” I lifted my face to look at him.
“It’s strange because I’ve hated him so much, but standing there just now, he seemed… kind of pathetic.”
“Nix.” I fought a smile. Because he was right. Michael had seemed a little pathetic.
Pathetic and sad.
“Part of me believes him, B. He could have whipped you out of here and stolen you away again, but he didn’t. Because he knows, he knows he fucked up. And he knows that if he fucks up again, he’ll lose any shot at earning your forgiveness.”
My spine stiffened. “I’ll never forgive him.”
“You might, one day.”
“Nix, I—”
“Just hear me out, okay?” He cupped my face. “I know he’s an asshole and I know he betrayed you in ways I can’t even fathom, but in his own messed up way, he thought he was protecting you. He thought he was fixing his mistakes. And part of me gets that. I get that he just wanted the best for you because I want the best for you. It’s why I kept you at arm’s length all those years, why I never admitted how I felt…” Sincerity glittered in his eyes, hurtling a rush of emotion through me.
“You are nothing like my father,” I said.
“Maybe not. But I will always do whatever it takes to protect you, B. Even if it meant hurting you. Even if it meant breaking your heart.”
“Y-you… what?”
“I’ve been pushing too hard,” he went on. “You’re not ready—”
“Nix, I love you.” Tears rolled down my cheeks. “I love you so much, I always have. But I don’t want to hold you back. I don’t want to ever become a burden to you.”
“Never, B. You could never be that to me. You’re my best friend. My ride or die. You’re my home, Harleigh Wren.” He kissed me, breathing the words onto my lips as he said, “All I’ve ever needed in this life is you.”
