“Let him do this, Dev. It’s a long time coming. He’s been angry since she pulled her stunt with you years ago. He needs to get it out. You know he won’t hurt her, but he’s finally going to leave no room for misinterpretation.”
I nod and then inch forward to peek around the corner. It’s obvious she put some work into her visit. She’s dressed to the nines, and her three-inch wedge sandals showcase her long, slender legs. Her hair is straightened, hanging long, and her face is completely made up.
No one looks that good this early in the morning unless they have an agenda.
“Holli, for Christ’s sake, what the fuck are you doing banging on my door this early?”
“I saw Nate out last night and overheard him say y’all were moving and heading to Rhode Island. I couldn’t let you leave without clearing the air between us. We were in love once. We were going to have a baby. Can we start over? Maybe I can visit wherever you’re stationed after OCS?”
I whip my head to see Nate’s eyes grow wide and then a smile break out across his face. “Just wait,” he mouths.
I turn back to watch as Bryce crosses his arms across his naked chest and looks at the ceiling, blowing out a loud breath. His eyes slice to the side, and he gives me a small chin jerk in acknowledgement. She remains oblivious to my presence.
“Holli, I’m pretty sure you saw the ring on Devon’s hand at my graduation and know I proposed. If you didn’t, let me go ahead and officially announce, I’m engaged.”
She shakes her head back and forth in disbelief. “I saw it but couldn’t believe you’d ever link yourself to a girl. That’s what she is, Bryce—a girl. Isn’t she still in her teens? There’s no way she can give you what you need. How did this even happen?”
A growl escapes his throat, and when he speaks, the tone of his voice makes the hair on my arms stand. “Let me get this straight. You hear I’m back in town to pack up and move, and you get a wild hair. Then you fancy yourself up, bang on my door at eight in the morning, and haul my ass out of bed—with my fiancée—so you can ‘clear the air’ ?”
Her eyes widen and do a quick scan of the room at the mention of me. She opens her mouth, but Bryce cuts her off.
“I’m going to answer your questions, and then I’m closing this door. Thought I made that clear before, but I was too nice. No more nice.
“I’ve been in love with Devon Harris since the day I laid eyes on her. She’s the
most beautiful thing in my world, probably always has been. You call her a girl, and that’s fine because she’s my girl. But she’s also all woman, and I am lucky to be linked to her. If there’s anything I need, it will come from her because she’s my everything.”
He takes another deep breath, and her lips start to quiver.
“As for how this happened? She graciously gave me another chance after I begged. The stunt you pulled the night of her high school graduation will always be imbedded in her brain, no matter how many times I try to erase it. Making her think you were my fiancée was low. You knew our relationship wasn’t serious. I never loved you.” His voice grows soft with kindness, but he continues to speak.
“That may seem cruel, but you know it’s true. You manipulated me with threats and then heartache. If fate was different and we’d had a child, I’d be the best damn dad ever, but I’d be doing it with her by my side. I thought I wasn’t good enough for her after you got pregnant, but she still consumed my mind.”
A tear falls down her cheek, and she puts her hand to her mouth. After all this time and the endless conversations Bryce had with her, she finally realizes he was never hers. His kindness after the miscarriage gave her a hope she’s been clinging to. Even with me in the picture, she thought she had a chance to win him back.
“Looks like you may understand now. The only reason I’m standing here at all is because I’m waiting to hear that you want to apologize to Devon for your classless behavior the last time you saw her.”
Tears flow freely down her face, and a small piece of me feels sympathy. Then she straightens her shoulders, and anger flashes across her face. “Is that what she told you? She is a liar—”
“Holli, stop. At this point, you’re embarrassing yourself. I’ll be out of this city in a few days, and I can only hope our paths don’t cross again. But if they do, don’t fuck with us, or you’ll regret it.”
He steps back, shuts the door, and turns to the room. I run to him, jumping into his arms.
“If that girl doesn’t get the hint after that, she needs help,” I say softly.
He grunts into my neck.
“With that being said, I think my fiancé needs to know how much of a turn on that was.”
Bryce leans back and gives me a smug smirk. Both of us turn our heads when Nate grumbles. He’s changed into shorts and has his running shoes on.
“I’m going for a run. Be back in an hour.” He emphasizes the hour and walks out the door.
I giggle, and Bryce kisses me quickly. “You have an hour, babe. I’m all yours.”
“You bet you are.”
Chapter 4