I closed my eyes.
“You know what I’d give to have my f**kin’ phone ring and Caitlin’s voice comin’ at me from the other end?” he asked.
I opened my eyes and saw the demons in his.
Shit.
“What would you give?” I whispered.
“Everything,” he whispered back.
“I love you,” I said softly, jumping the gun, saying it far faster than I planned.
But I couldn’t help it. It just slipped out. I couldn’t have stopped it even if I tried.
Mace stared at me.
So, even though it scared the effing hel out of me, since I’d thrown it out there, I might as wel go with it.
So I did.
“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me in my whole life. My hands could be crushed so I couldn’t play guitar ever again and I wouldn’t care as long as I had you.” Mace continued to stare at me.
I pressed my body to his, got close to his face, looked into his beautiful eyes and made a big mistake.
“It’s not my place to say but, I’m guessing, I was Caitlin, I had a brother like you I wouldn’t have gone through what I went through. I would have known a good life, a happy life, a lucky life. I bet you protected her from your father. I bet you kept her safe. She was lucky, until the end, to have you.”
“Quiet Stel a.”
“It’s true.”
“You don’t know what the f**k you’re talkin’ about.”
“I bet I do,” I whispered.
His hands came to my biceps, his fingers curled around and they did it so tightly, they hurt.
“Quiet,” he growled.
I nodded but I didn’t wince and I didn’t move away, even as his fingers bit deep into my flesh.
We stared at each other, his face tight, I hoped mine was open.
But he didn’t give me anything.
Not even a little thing.
He was closed.
He was gone.
Shit!
Then the door opened.
I looked around Mace as he twisted toward the door.
We saw Vance swing in. His eyes took in the destroyed phone then skimmed across us both but locked on Mace.