“Tell me what?” My heart dropped.
“She said things weren’t working out; she left a little bit ago, Mr. Wallace.”
All the air from my body escaped in one breath. “S-she left?”
Clarisse nodded. “I thought you knew.”
Shaking my head, I turned and headed out of the kitchen, “No, I didn’t know.”
Grabbing my truck keys, I moved as fast as I could.
“Malcolm! You can’t drive!” she called out. I ignored her and made my way to the truck where I slowly pulled myself in. My truck wasn’t a standard so I could drive fine.
Turning it on, I hit the gas and barreled down the driveway. Hitting the talk button on my wheel, I said, “Call Paislie.”
“Callin
g Paislie.”
My heartbeat was pounding in my ears as I drove faster.
I had to catch her.
I had to find her.
“You’ve reached the voice mailbox of Paislie Pruitt. Please leave—”
I hit the hang-up button as I yelled out, “Fuck!”
Once I got to the end of the driveway, I slammed on the brakes. Paislie’s car was pulled over to the side. Throwing my truck in park, I carefully got out and made my way over to her as fast as I could. My leg was throbbing but I ignored it. My chest tightened with the knowledge that she only made it this far.
Her hands were on the steering wheel with her head rested on them. It was clear she was crying and that about killed me, knowing I was the reason she was so upset. The only thing I could focus on was her and making her understand how sorry I was.
I opened the door to her car and reached in for her. She didn’t even look up as I pulled her to me, and she wrapped her arms around me while crying into my chest.
After a few moments, she pulled back and looked at me. All I saw was sadness in her eyes. I’d never felt my heart physically hurt like it did with the look on her face. I’d give anything to turn back time to just a few hours ago.
“What are you doing to me?” she whispered. “I don’t know how to feel around you and that scares me to death.”
My eyes closed as I said, “I feel the same way.”
Her hands clutched onto my shirt as I looked back into her eyes.
“The only man I’ve ever loved left me.” Her body shook again as tears fell freely once more. “He didn’t want me and I couldn’t understand what I did wrong. I just wanted him to love me. I begged him to love me.”
Lifting my hand, I used my thumb to wipe away her tears. “Paislie,” I spoke as my throat grew thick.
“I swore a long time ago I would never let another man into my heart to hurt me. Then I met you, and everything has been turned upside down. You do things to me . . . things that make me want to give you my very soul.”
My breath caught as her words hit me.
She covered her mouth as she squeezed her eyes shut before dropping her hands and saying, “I would be completely destroyed if I let you in and you hurt me.”
I cupped her face with my hands. “Nothing happened. Paislie, I’ve had Jessica come to the house so many times for a massage. I swear to God, nothing happened. I’d never do something like that to you. Never.”
She bit down on her lip and placed her hands on my arms. “I tried so hard to leave. I couldn’t make it past your driveway. I want to be here for you so badly. I know I can get you behind the wheel of a racecar again, but I’m fighting these other feelings and I’m so confused. I’m so scared.”
My fingers lightly moved a piece of her brown hair that had been stuck to her face. “I feel the same way. You have my stomach in knots and half the time I don’t know whether I’m coming or going, Paislie. This is all so new to me . . . these feelings. I’ve never done the exclusive girlfriend thing.” I let out a frustrated sigh. “You drive me nuts, but the thought of you leaving kills me.”