Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“We love you,” he says, his lips next to my ear.
Full and cracked at the same time. How will my heart ever recover? One thing I know is I will never in my entire life, no matter where that takes me, feel this ever again. This overwhelming sense of love in this moment will forever stay with me. I’ll never forget a single one of these amazing people wrapping me in their love.
They’ve given me something I never knew I needed. Acceptance, hugs, and their love.
Everything I lost when I lost my parents, I found it here. In my wildest dreams, I never would have expected this to be where I was a year after accepting a job with Palmer.
After our group hug, the party winds down. Archer says it’s time for us to go, and I know that our time is dwindling fast. I want nothing more than to curl up in his arms and soak up his love and warmth before I have to live without both.
The morning sun peeks in through the slats on the blinds covering the windows. I need to get up and get moving, but I need just five more minutes. We came back last night, and Archer made slow love to me until we both fell into an exhausted yet restless sleep.
“Morning, baby.”
I lift my head from his chest and offer a sad smile. “Morning.”
“What time do you have to leave?”
He already knows the answer. I’m assuming he’s hoping that it will change. It’s not going to. I have a twelve-plus hour drive ahead of me, and that’s if I don’t hit traffic. I considered flying, but I knew I would need the time to cry without onlookers. I can cry alone in my car without judgment. I don’t have many personal belongings, but what I do have I wanted with me.
“I need to be on the road by eight.” I rented a condo in Michigan. Sight unseen, but the company I’m working for has assured me it’s clean and in a safe neighborhood. It’s for three months. I’ve done this many times before. It’s what I do. However, spending a year in Willow River has me spoiled, I guess.
“I’ll make you some breakfast before you go.” He kisses the top of my head.
“I’m not really that hungry,” I tell him.
“Scar, you have to eat.”
“I will. I’ll just hit a drive-thru or something. Really, I can’t stomach anything right now.”
“You’re all packed.”
“Yeah.”
“I guess we should get dressed.”
I hate that he’s right, but I nod because I need to get moving. We’re silent as we get dressed for the day, brushing our teeth side by side. I’m slower in my movements, taking note of the way he smells and the way his eyes meet mine in the mirror. The small smile and wink he gives me. He’s trying to be strong for me, but I can see the pain.
It’s my pain.
Once we’re finished, I pack up my last few belongings. The sound of the zipper on my suitcase cuts through the air like a knife. I go to lift it off the bed, but Archer takes it.
“Let me get that.” He lifts the luggage effortlessly while holding his other hand out for me. He leads me to the front door. The suitcase is dropped, and his arms grip me like a vise. His body shudders, and I choke back a sob.
“This fucking hurts,” he says gruffly. “I don’t know how to let go of you.”
“W—We knew—” I try, but I can’t seem to form the words.
“Promise me, if you find yourself in limbo, you come to me. You call me. Fuck, Firecracker, send a damn pigeon, and I’ll be there.”
“I promise.” I nod.
“My heart is yours. It will always be yours.”
“Oh, Archer.” I hug him tighter because this might be the last time I ever feel his arms around me and mine around him. “I love you. More than I ever thought was possible. It’s a forever thing, Popeye,” I say, trying to keep my tone light.
His reply is for his arms to tighten. He’s squeezing the breath from my lungs, but I don’t dare tell him. It could be the last time.
“I need to go.”
“I know.” He releases me and reaches for my suitcase. He opens the front door, and we step out onto the porch, only to find his yard full of people.
His people.
My people.
“W-What?” I cover my mouth, tears already falling.
I hear boots on the steps and manage to make out Raymond Kincaid as he stands in front of me. “We love harder,” he says with a soft smile. “My boy isn’t the only one who’s going to miss you.” Raymond pulls us both into a hug. “No way were we letting one of us drive out of town without us here to do a proper send-off.” He steps back and waves at the yard. “Go on, sweetheart.”