Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 65683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 328(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 219(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 328(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 219(@300wpm)
“Hope.” I squeezed her tighter. “Do you have it now?”
She shuddered beneath my arms almost like she was releasing something, letting go, finally taking down all the shields she’d so carefully constructed over the years. “It’s the best gift anyone’s ever given me.”
My throat all but closed up as we clung to each other and stared at the stars. “Make another wish then, one that I can make come true…not because I’m rich but because"—I was dizzy—no, drunk on it—“I love you.”
She turned in my arms. “Nobody has ever said that to me before.”
Speechless, I had to take a minute to respond, not trusting my voice or the emotions she evoked behind her truth. Dammit, Tru, speaking her truth was one of the most beautiful and tragic things I’d ever had the honor to witness.
“Tragedy,” I finally said. “It’s a fucking tragedy that nobody has taken the time to tell you your own truth. You have worth, Tru. You have something to offer the world. You’re incredible, addicting, and exciting. You are important. Test me. Test my actions and my words. You’re the only truth I’ve ever known.”
Tears cascaded down her cheeks. “I love you so much.”
“Happy birthday, Tru.”
CHAPTER 22
TRU
Now
I didn’t make it to my bed.
I barely made it through the door before collapsing in front of it and leaning my head back against it. It shouldn’t affect me in any way. He was my ex. It was in the past. It didn’t matter.
I didn’t matter.
That was my takeaway, and I hated that my insecurities came rushing forward like a damn flood I couldn’t stop.
Drowning.
I was drowning in my own emotions over a stupid birthday that, for the past few years, I didn’t even care about… but seeing him.
Shit.
Seeing him.
Tears streamed down my cheeks.
Just seeing him on my birthday and assuming a party was for me… realizing it wasn’t was hurtful, but whatever, then having to deal with her parading me around like a perfect little trophy.
“Isn’t she gorgeous?”
“So talented!”
“So smart!”
“You’re such a gem for officially adopting her. We need more people like you in this world. Here, I wasn’t going to donate this much, but ten grand seems like nothing compared to what you’ve sacrificed to raise someone who isn’t even yours!”
Cue the laughter.
Cue the painful smile on my birthday.
I was the sacrifice.
I was the burden.
I’d always been the burden.
Until someone told me I was their person, only to rip my heart out days later. I was his, and he was mine, and now all I had were reminders.
Was it so wrong to just want one moment? I wanted one minute of truth, when someone looked me in the eyes like I mattered and said hey, good job on powering through another year. Was it selfish? Should I feel guilty for wanting that for myself?
“Tru?” Vaughan's voice cracked. “Tru, I forgot. I’m sorry. I forgot.”
I squeezed my eyes shut as one solitary tear finally slid down my cheek. “I’m used to being forgotten, Vaughan. It’s okay.”
But it wasn’t.
It was just…my reality.
My life.
“Tru—”
“I’m headed to bed. Enjoy your party.”
Not mine.
His.
The irony wasn’t lost on me as I stripped and tucked myself in bed only to stare at the wall and wonder what the point was in being strong all the time.
I sighed. Being weak wouldn’t make things better so strong it was. Power through. Graduate. Make a life. Create something you were never given the opportunity to have.
Right.
Easy.
Just like falling asleep.
Hope.
What a dangerous thing.
Vaughan
No more. I told myself when I finally stumbled into my own bed. I set my alarm for six o'clock.
It wasn’t an alarm for practice. It was an alarm for her.
I needed to apologize to her face.
Her birthday was a trigger, and like a piece of shit, I fucked it up.
I finally fell asleep around two in the morning, only to get jolted awake by the loud beeping of my alarm. I was still saturated in so much anger and trepidation that I put on the first pair of pants I could find. I stumbled out of my door and toward hers. It was already open.
Was she already awake?
My gaze fell to the bathroom and the steam billowing out from underneath the door.
Not now.
Not today.
Today was a ceasefire.
Today may as well be her birthday.
I tried the handle.
Surprisingly, it was unlocked.
I let myself in. “Tru, look, I’m sorry I was an ass last night. I totally forgot your birthday, and though we’re enemies, I should have paid more attention. I was drunk. I know it’s not an excuse, but given our history, I can’t let it slide. I can’t. I won’t. So whatever you want to do tonight, it’s on me. I’ll pay. I’ll take you wherever you want to go. We’ll bury the hatchet for a few hours, okay?” Silence. “Tru?”
The shower curtain pulled back, revealing Brady. “I’ve gotta say, that was a really solid speech, bro. I’m proud. It’s like you’re growing up and found your tiny little heart.”