Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 87911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“Why are you suddenly so ready to forgive him?”
She pursed her lips. “You’re really making me work for this one, aren’t you?”
“Why not? Life sucks at times, and I’ve got no other choice but to force you to use your head.”
“Fine. When I’m with him, it’s like … magic.” She laughed. “Don’t get me wrong, I remember the pain from the day at the fair. Knowing what he had planned, but he wasn’t going to see it through. He keeps telling me he loves me.”
“Do you trust him?”
“I don’t know if I trust him. I’m so confused. This would be a lot easier to talk about if you weren’t my mother.”
“Why?”
“I’d be able to talk about everything and it not be weird.”
Lily chuckled. “Fair enough. I take it he took care of you?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’m glad. You’ve got to learn to take chances in life otherwise you’ll live with regrets.”
“Do you have any regrets?”
“A couple, yes.”
“What are they?”
“I don’t want to tell you.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want you to be upset by them.”
“I’m not going to be upset by anything you do, Mom. Trust me.”
“The first regret is putting up with your father for so long. The amount of disappointment we both suffered because of it. I will always regret that,” she said.
“You were so heartbroken when you made the choice.”
“Because I’d failed, Chloe. I’d failed you and myself. I wanted it to work so much. I loved him, so deeply, but he killed that love every single day he picked the club over me. They didn’t patch him in, and he was so weak as well. He was afraid of the dark, you know?”
“He was?”
“Yes. I had to sleep with the night light on, and whenever there was a noise, I was the one to go and check it out.”
“I had no idea,” Chloe said.
“Tell me about it.”
“What’s your other regret?” She saw tears in Lily’s eyes.
“It’s kind of a joined one.”
“Tell me.”
“You, Alfie, and Eagle.” Her mother pressed her hand to her face.
“Mom, you don’t have to do that at all. You don’t have to cover your face.”
“Yes, I do. I’m so embarrassed.”
“Why?”
“I let you run away. I didn’t force you to talk to Alfie. I knew it had broken your heart, but I also knew he wasn’t the one who sent that tape in. Oh, honey, I love you. I love you so much. I missed Eagle. It’s why I tried to stay as far away from him as possible. I couldn’t stand to be near him and know all of what I’d lost.” Lily wiped away the tears, even as they kept on falling. “They’re a selfish regret.”
“Do you think I should have forgiven Alfie sooner?”
“I think you two should have been able to work this out on your own. I truly believe that.” Lily squeezed her hand. “Regardless of how I got in this hospital, I’m so pleased I did because it meant I could see you again, and we could have this chance.”
She hugged her mom tightly.
Was it a second chance?
Someone cleared his throat, and she pulled away to see Eagle waiting. She would fix this for her mother.
“I’ve got the car waiting,” he said.
“Will you bring her down? I’ll go and load up her bags.”
“Sure thing. Alfie is waiting with the car.”
Her heart beat a little faster as she made her way to the front of the hospital to find Alfie there. He had the trunk of the car open, and he offered her a smile. “Hello, beautiful.”
“Hey, you.” She had no clue what to say. “How are you?”
“Exhausted. I’ve been moving beer for the bar. It’s one of the perks of being a prospect. I get all the shitty jobs.”
“I’ve been thinking, it’s a rather quick thought. My apartment’s lease runs out at the end of the month. I need to head back to the city, grab my things. Would you be willing to take me?”
“I don’t have a car, but I could borrow my dad’s. If he’ll let me,” he said.
“He’ll let you.”
“How do you know?”
“I’ve got a plan for him and Mom. You’ll see.”
“You can’t use your mom to get what you want,” he said.
“Eagle’s still as in love with her as he ever was. Believe me, it’ll work.” She put the bags into the back of the car, and watched as Eagle pushed her mother out of the door. There was no mistaking the love between the two of them. It truly was sweet.
Glancing over at Alfie, she wondered if he did feel as deeply as Eagle did for her mother.
“I can see that look in your eye, and to answer your question, yes. I do.”
“I didn’t even say anything,” she said.
“I can see it. I love you, Chloe, and one day, you will get to see it. I promise.” Alfie walked up toward her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and brought his lips to her mouth. The kiss was sweet, and she couldn’t deny how much it meant to her. She didn’t want to ever stop kissing him.