part of. This all makes me believe he had more than just top-level security clearance. So please, promise me you’ll think with your head and be extra cautious.”
“I will. Promise.” I gave him a quick reassuring look before jumping off the couch and bolting from the room.
“Tyler, baby,” my mother called out. “Where are you going?”
Beaming, I glanced over my shoulder. “I have to go see about a girl.”
I ran toward the staircase, dashing up to the second floor and down the long hallway to pack up my stuff as quickly as possible. As I approached my room, the door opposite mine opened, startling me. I halted in my tracks, my jaw dropping as I stared at the woman standing in the doorway.
Mackenzie
I CHECKED MY REFLECTION in the mirror, my formerly loose-fitting yellow sundress now rather snug. I took a closer look, my eyes vibrant for a change. I felt refreshed and rejuvenated after finally getting some much-needed sleep. Escaping South Padre for a little bit was exactly what I needed to help me cope with what had become my new normal.
Pulling open the guest room door to head downstairs, a rush of a familiar scent found its way to my nose, stirring up memories of that happy, yet heartbreaking time in my life. I raised my head, inhaling quickly when I was met with a pair of striking green eyes.
I whimpered, almost in disbelief. Over the past several months, I had seen him everywhere. I had heard his voice in my dreams, saw his face on every man, smelled his musky scent no matter where I was. I was convinced this was just a dream, too.
“Mackenzie…,” Tyler said, surprised, his tone guttural and raspy.
“Is this real?” I felt numb, like I was daydreaming… But this was one daydream I didn’t want to wake up from. Closing my eyes, a warmth approached and a finger brushed away the lone tear trickling down my face. A current flowed through me, sparking a sensation that had been absent for the past several months. It was intense, burning, piercing. I fought to contain the thrill I felt from this man’s simple touch.
“What are…? How…?” he stammered, and I returned my eyes to his. He glanced at my stomach and I cringed, imagining his bewilderment. “Is it…?”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be here.” I spun around and dashed toward the bed, frantically throwing my things into my bag. “I get it. It’s my fault. I was stupid and–”
“Mackenzie, stop!” his voice thundered, startling me and bringing back so many memories of our short-lived romance.
I filled my lungs, hoping for the strength to get through this when all I wanted to do was crawl in a corner and pretend I didn’t exist. I knew this day was inevitable, but I didn’t expect to be in this situation so soon. I had made no plan on how to get through it, making me all the more apprehensive about the conversation I knew I could no longer avoid.
“Look at me, Mackenzie,” he crooned, his voice tender. I shook my head, refusing to look into his eyes. I needed to remain strong and I knew I would break if I gazed into those eyes that once held so much hope for my own future. “Please. I… I’m such a fuck up.”
“You never came for me,” I said softly, keeping my back turned to him when I felt him approach behind me. He was so close, there was a buzz in the air from his proximity. “I thought you cared enough that you would.”
“You told me not to.” He ran his hand down my arm, calming me.
I faced him and saw tears forming behind his eyes. “Since when have you actually listened to what I wanted? No phone call! No email! Nothing! I thought I imagined you. I thought I was so desperate to feel something for someone that I made you up in my head. I drove through the streets of South Padre every day, Tyler! Every. Fucking. Day! And do you know what I saw?”
“What?”
“You! Whenever I saw a dog, I’d think of you and Griffin. Every boat. Every bar. Every restaurant.”
His shoulders dropped and he swallowed hard, his normal confidence lacking. “Mackenzie, I’m…” His voice cracked as he reached out for me.
“Sorry. I know.” Avoiding his touch, I fell onto the bed, fighting back the lump in my throat. I refused to cry in front of him anymore. He didn’t deserve my tears.