After Us (Next Generation #6) - J.M. Walker Page 0,74

dark shadow passing over his face. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Were you hurt badly?” I slipped my fingers between his.

“I was put in the infirmary for three days.” He ran his other hand through his hair. “My dad found out and almost lost his shit and ended up in jail right beside me. But of course, my mom doesn’t know.”

“I’m just glad that you’re okay.” I brought his hand up to my mouth.

“I know we’ve had our issues, but I promise that I’m here. I’m always here. She doesn’t deserve my anger. Even though it has nothing to do with her.” He nodded toward Brynlee. “I’m sure she can feel it. And you definitely don’t deserve it either, Piper.” He led me out of the room and turned off the light.

When we were standing in the hall, he pulled me into his arms. “I love you.”

My heart stuttered. “I love you.” I returned the embrace. “I…I have something for you.” My stomach tumbled, knowing that what I was about to give him was not going to be easy for either of us.

Jaron cupped my face. “You’ve already given me so much. And you put up with my shit.”

I laughed lightly, kissing him softly on the mouth. “Go sit.” I released his hand and went to our bedroom. Once I reached the closet, I opened the door and grabbed a small box from the top shelf.

Joining Jaron back out in the living room, my palms became sweaty the closer I got to him. He was sitting on the couch with his long legs stretched out in front of him. Those damn gray sweatpants hung low on his hips, even while he was sitting. He was hot before, but those pants made him look even hotter. As much as I wanted him, this was not the time because I knew that both of us needed what I was about to show him.

“Another box of stuff?” he asked, nodding toward the small shoe box in my hands.

“This is different.” I sat beside him. “This stuff has nothing to do with the pregnancy. It’s little things that reminded me of you.” I opened the lid, took out a small envelope and handed him the box.

“What’s that?” When he reached for the envelope, I snatched it back.

“I’ll show you in a moment.” I reached into the box, pulling out a coaster. “This is from the bar.”

“The night I fucked you in that bathroom?” he asked, cupping my knee.

“Yeah. I stole it when no one was looking. I forgot I had it until I looked through my purse a few weeks later.” I snuggled into his side, watching him root through the little things I had saved over the last few years.

“Geeze, babe. This stuff…it’s not just from when we started sleeping together.” He pulled out the shard of glass I had cut myself with when we were kids. “Is it?”

“No. I even kept a napkin from the café in Paris.” I rummaged through the items in the box until I found what I was looking for and picked it out of the box.

“Piper.” Jaron took the napkin, wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and kissed the side of my head. “Thank you.”

“It’s no big deal. I’m sure most would think it lame, but I needed these items. It’s like something told me that we wouldn’t have it easy.”

Jaron leaned his forehead against the side of my head, placing the napkin back in the box. “It’s perfect.”

Taking a deep breath, I gave him a small smile and handed him the envelope. “Before you read this…” I chewed my bottom lip.

“Hey.” He pinched my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “Whatever it is, thank you.”

“It wasn’t easy to write. It was before I found out I was pregnant. I was upset. You know how they say to write out your feelings and then burn the letter or delete the email and so on? Well, I wrote it, but I didn’t burn it. I’m not sure why.”

Jaron pulled the letter from the envelope.

“It’s only a couple pages but it’s double-sided. Sorry.” My cheeks burned. “Apparently, I was a writer in my previous life.” I laughed lightly, trying to make a joke.

Jaron kissed the side of my head. “Read it to me.”

“What?” I shook my head. “No. I can’t. It’s too…it’s too weird.”

He shoved the letter in my hands. “Don’t care. Read it.”

I looked down at the letter now in my hands and back up at him. What if