Jack's Surrender (Holiday Cove 5)

“He’s trying to buy Aaron’s property. Same as O’Keefe did. And you’ll remember how well that ended.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “He’s not like O’Keefe. Henry was a monster. Noah’s not like that. Maybe before you throw him in the same category as a killer you should have more than a five-minute conversation with him.” I shook my head in disgust. “Honestly, Jack, I don’t even know who you are anymore. Are you really so unhappy with our life that you have to tear down and poke holes in anyone else who dares to be happy?”

Jack reared back as if I’d physically smacked him across the face. He blinked down at me. “Is that what you think?”

“I don’t know what to think right now. The man I met here in Holiday Cove, the man I fell in love with, the man I said I wanted to marry doesn’t seem to exist anymore. This man I’m looking at is jealous, petty, and argumentative, and I don’t know which version is really you.”

Jack took a step back, his eyes locked on mine. My heart squeezed at the look of agony in his face, but I couldn’t find the words to take it all back. To erase the horrible things I’d said. Instead, I turned and walked out of the room and bolted up the stairs,

9

Jack

The worst part of Holly’s madness wasn’t the words themselves. It wasn’t even the anger burning in her eyes. It was the fact that she was right. I didn’t even recognize myself some days. At first, I’d thought it was the natural result of leaving active duty and transitioning to civilian life. A huge part of my identity was a fighter pilot. Naturally, it would take some time to adjust. But as the months stretched on, the unrest and angst within me only grew. Instead of feeling free, I felt like the walls were closing in around me.

Holly ran up the stairs and something snapped inside me.

I raced after her and caught up with her in the bedroom. She emerged from the walk-in closet clutching a suitcase between both hands. She looked up at me with tears streaking down her cheeks. Fuck. “Holly, please let’s talk about this.”

She considered me for a second but then gave a shake of her head. “There’s nothing left to say, Jack.”

“Of course there is. Holly, I love you. It’s my job to protect you and keep you safe. I only want the best for you.”

“Then you have to let me go.”

Her words were barely a whisper but they slammed into me with the force of a hurricane.

“Go? Go where?”

She nodded and swallowed hard even as more tears fell. “I can’t do this anymore. I need some space. I need to get myself together and figure out what I’m doing.”

“Holly, we’re engaged. We’re supposed to figure this out together.”

“I thought so, too. But can’t you see what you’re doing? I’m trying to make plans and build a future for us and you keep coming in like a frickin’ grenade and blowing the whole thing to hell. I can’t keep pouring my energy into making a life with you when you’re fighting me every step of the way. I’m not even sure it’s what you want anymore.”

I rushed forward and took the suitcase from her. “Of course it’s what I want.”

She wiped a tear away. “I know you love me. I know you want me here. But that’s it. That’s all I know and I need more than that. You gave me this ring but you don’t want to set a date or even talk about a wedding. We bought this house but you don’t want to dream with me about the day that we fill it with children. We can’t even agree on where I work or what I do to earn a living! How can we ever figure out the big things if we can’t even figure out the small things?”

I stared down into her teary eyes and words failed me.

“I’m not breaking up with you, Jack. But I need some space and I think you do too.”

She reached forward, silently asking for the suitcase, and after a minute or two, I placed the handle back in her fingers. I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead and then left the room.

Princess and Hunter circled the room nervously as I putted around in the kitchen, putting away the food that had gone untouched. Holly was still upstairs. I could hear her footsteps pacing between the closet and bathroom as she likely gathered her things. Even as I worked to clear the table and kitchen, I couldn’t figure out what to say to change her mind. The idea of her walking away, even just for a few nights, damn near killed me, but it was like a train cruising down the tracks. But I knew if she wanted space, I had to give it to her.