looking forward to the next chapter in my life,” he said cautiously before continuing, “and I want you in this new chapter, Amber. I know what you’re thinking, and that’s why I have been patient—sometimes—about waiting for you, because I know it might take some time for you to believe me. But you have to understand, it’s been over six months since Lindsey. She’s always going to mean something to me, but she’s the past, and I feel as though you’re my future. I might not be making sense, but it took me quite a long time to get here, so please, give me a chance to prove things to you. I’ve always cared for you. You were always in the back of my mind, yet I never pursued it until recently, and that’s when things started to make sense.
“Lindsey is the past—our past. I don’t want you to feel threatened by my past relationship with her, because that is over and done with. Things with you are different. I’m more relaxed, protective in a sense that’s scary sometimes. I have never felt this about anyone, but you kept pushing me away, leaving me doubting my chances with you. I want to protect you. I want to take care of you. You have to let me love you.”
Love, that elusive word again.
If it were any other man, I would jump into this in a heartbeat, but this was Brody. If I let him in the way he wanted, it might shatter me in more ways than were imaginable. It was as if I would be giving someone all the power to hurt me, and quite frankly, it was petrifying to think that one person in the world could have such an effect on anyone. I had so many issues, but I knew I needed him, too.
“If I do let you in again, you promise to take care of my heart this time?”
“I’ll protect it for as long as I live,” he swore before reaching for my lips, gently kissing me. “I love you. I know it’s been confusing, but my actions have been quite obvious. I just didn’t want to scare you away by telling you how I feel. I had to let you come to terms with things first … and I’m sorry for telling you now. It seems like you’re not taking it well, but I can’t hold it in anymore, Amber. I love you. I’m in love with you, and I want everyone to know.”
Shaking my head in protest, I felt dizzy from hearing his declaration. “You must be crazy. How can you love me? This is insane. I can’t—it’s just not possible.”
“Then let me prove you wrong.”
Could I? Could I do it again? Could I love him to no end, yet this time we would officially be dating and looking forward to our future? Was that even possible?
It was.
I merely had to say yes, and I would have him … for as long as I could.
“I love you. That’s all I know.” How true that statement was. It was all I had ever known.
Maybe my fate would always be with him, so why should I keep denying our hearts’ wishes? I was done for. Fighting off my love for him was pointless, so I was better off letting it be, letting it flourish the way life intended it to be.
And it would be that way.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Brody
It had only been a week since we had told all of our friends that we were officially together. And tonight, we were heading to Malibu for Emma and Bass’s baby shower.
Was I nervous? No. Fuck no. I had wanted to be with her for quite some time, and for her to finally give in … Well, that was the best feeling a guy could ask for.
I got what she was afraid of, most especially the shadow of my relationship with Lindsey. But she had to understand that my grieving period was over and done with, and it had more to do with holding on to something my mind had been accustomed to all these years. It didn’t necessarily mean Lindsey and I were compatible. Let’s face it, she and I were opposites, even if it took me a long time to finally realize that.
However, the moment I did, I saw Amber in a different light. All these years, this chick, no matter the situation, was always there, consistently, persistently. When I was feeling down and shitty, she never failed to tell me how much I meant to her, how much she loved me, even though she thought I was stupid. For years, it became a habit, hearing her say those three magical words that never failed to make me feel like a king. I didn’t realize how magical they were until she stopped saying them. Then I knew I was in trouble because it seemed that the harder I tried to win her affection back, the more she pushed me away.
There was no win-win with her. I knew it was bad to use sex, but it was the only way I knew how to make her connect with me. Her body always gave in. It was the only thing I had, so I manipulated that. Of course, I confessed all these deeds to her and knew I had so much to make up for. Trust me, I was looking forward to so much “making up” with her.
I loved her simplicity and quiet elegance. I loved her golden eyes and drop-dead, gorgeous smile. Amber was the quiet strength behind my sanity. It took me so fucking long to know how much she contributed to my life, and there was no way in hell I was going to let her go. She and I were stuck together, for better or for worse. She was going to have me on a silver platter.
Smiling as I took her hand while the other gripped the steering wheel, I knew we were moving in the right direction. I had never been so content and happy with my life. I knew this was it. She was it.
I hoped it wouldn’t come out as a shock, but I did intend to ask her later this week to move in with me. Everything was set in my mind, and I hoped she wouldn’t feel as though I was moving too fast. There was no way I could do this other than fast, though. Come to think of it, who liked doing things slow, anyway?
We would scout for a place to live while she finished up her senior year and I began training camp in LA. It wasn’t the ideal solution, but it was the best shot we had to make it work.
After the past we had both had, I needed her to be reassured that I wasn’t going anywhere. She had loved me through the years, so I could do the same for her—love and nurture her the way she was supposed to be. No man would ever hurt her again. Not her father or any other guy. I was going to protect her until death.
My protectiveness over her should have been one of the first indicators for my feelings for her, but hey, at least I had finally gotten to where I needed to be.
For the first time in a very long time, I was excited about what the cards had in store for me. With the right woman next to me, I knew I could take on whatever challenges came my way.
~Amber & Brody~