Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
I’m so sorry I was a coward, and I hope with time you can forgive me.
I know if you and Austin can work things out, you two will be happy. You deserve to be happy.
I love you, Lea. You were what kept me alive, when I felt like giving up. Now it’s time for you to find your own light. You are the best of both me and your dad, and know that we are proud of you.
Love, Mom.
Whimpering fresh tears fall from my eyes as I watch the letter float to the floor.
Chapter 15
Austin
Reaching out for Lea, I come up empty and my eyes fly open. She’s never left the bed before me, and judging by the feel of the cold sheets, she’s been gone awhile. Last night, when I got home and found her curled into a ball on the couch, with her cheeks wet with tears and the lost look in her eyes. I knew this was the point I had been dreading, the point when I was forced to make her face her fears. I’m not her dad. Yes, men die every day on the ocean, but the chance of something happening to me is as likely as me getting hit by a car while crossing the street.
Last night, I knew she wasn’t in the right headspace to talk about what happened, but I stupidly assumed she would be here so we could talk about it this morning.
“Fuck,” I clip, putting my feet on the floor, then pick up my jeans and stand to pull them on. “Lea!” I roar, opening the bedroom door, only to be greeted by silence as I make my way downstairs to the kitchen, tugging my shirt on over my head as I go.
I’m going to kiss her and tell her it will be okay then spank her for this, for running out on me.
I wasn’t lying when I told Ken I wouldn’t let her go. She is mine and would always be mine, even if she has to go out on the boat with me every time I go, so that—God forbid—we die together, then so be it.
I grab my keys from the counter and head down to my truck, getting in, starting it up, doing a U-turn in the driveway, and then head towards her parents’ house.
Turning on the wipers as the rain falls harder, I curse under my breath when I see parts of the road have been flooded from the storm. I know Lea had been crying most of the night, and I’m sure she was a mess when she left the house before I woke up. Knowing she drove in that state, with the weather this bad, only serves to piss me off more. Her car isn’t a piece of shit, but it doesn’t have four-wheel drive, and something could easily happen to her.
Seeing headlights coming toward me, I slow down then notice its Lea’s car. Flashing my lights, I put my foot on the brake and pull off to the side of the road. Her car comes to a stop a few feet in front of my truck, and before I can even open my door, she’s out of her car, running towards me, her face red and blotched with tears, but the look in her eyes is what causes my gut to clench. She looks sad, yes, but her light is back. My feet hit the muddy ground as her body runs full-force into mine, knocking the breath out of me before I have a chance to prepare myself for impact.
“I’m sorry,” she cries as her nails dig into my skin through my shirt. “I left you again. I’m so sorry.” She sobs as rain beats down on us, soaking through our clothes.
“Baby,” I say softly, running my hand over the back of her wet hair and holding her closer to me.
“You don’t un-under-st-stand I’m so afraid of being left that I believed if I left first, it wouldn’t hurt as bad, th-that I would be okay, but I’m n-not.” Her head burrows into my chest and her arms tighten around me.
“I’m not letting you go, Lea,” I tell her, dipping my head towards her ear. “I’m never letting you go, not again.”
Her head tilts back and her sad, wet eyes blink up at me as the rain falls down, washing away her tears. I hold her cheeks between my hands and lower my head, kissing her, needing her to understand I love her and haven’t given up on us.
“Let’s get you home,” I say, pressing my forehead to hers, feeling her nod.
“My car,” she hiccups as I help her into the truck.
“You’re in no shape to drive, Lea. I’m gonna pull it off to the side of the road and come back for it later,” I tell her, wiping away a few of her tears.