Page 122 of The Finish Line
If he came clean now, I could ease his burdens. He would keep his promises to me, but he hasn’t, and odds are, he won’t.
As of now, our watchful birds are becoming relentless, often dining at the café, and as of a few days ago, they started flanking me when I run errands, walking me to and from my car. They’re on high alert, and I know why. They’re becoming just as agitated as their boss.
It’s infuriating for me to know that’s the truth of it, and he’s still hiding behind our truce to keep from telling me.
It’s not hard to keep myself guarded when the deception at this point is so blatant.
Secrets tore us apart, and I have zero doubts they’ll do it again—if I let them.
But while he’s been sharpening his flock, readying them, I’ve made some decisions of my own.
I have to force his surrender so we have complete transparency.
It’s the only thing that will fully heal us.
Until I get that, I won’t stop seeking the truth from him.
On this, I won’t break. I won’t waver, no matter how much his kisses beg and his eyes plead.
So, for now, even with our truce in place, even as we draw closer than ever before, we remain in an unspoken stalemate.
I’ll keep him just a breath away from where he so desperately wants to be from fully regaining my trust.
This is war. I’m not just fighting for the truth anymore—I’m setting boundaries for the future.
This time, I’m determined to break my king before he breaks me.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Tobias
Age Thirty-Three
Ocean-blue eyes gaze back at me as she hovers above me, fireflies dancing around the tall grasses surrounding us, the moon translucent between the trees. Warmth snakes into my arms, making them heavy, almost impossible to lift, the soothing rush circulating through them threatening to pull me back into the dark. Still, I fight it because she’s here with me, whispering to me, kissing me, her presence soothing, like no other comfort I’ve ever felt. Straining, I can’t hear her whispers as I fight to stay with her, the moon behind her glowing brighter now, rising high above the trees. Her lips move again as she reaches for me, but I can’t make out the words she’s speaking. The menacing orb hovers just above now, its glare brighter than the sun, threatening to take her with it.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
“Don’t go,” I beg as I fight the warmth and reach up to caress her face. She tilts her head in confusion, disappearing briefly as the overpowering light again obstructs my view.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
A distant voice sounds from beyond the trees, but it’s not hers.
“Fight it, man. Come on, T.”
I’m safe here, lying beneath her, her dark-blue eyes beckoning me to stay, just a little longer. But the moon threatens, and now she’s fading, still smiling as she whispers to me. It shifts again as I call to it, asking for a little more time, and the man inside mocks me with his smile, betraying me by fully stealing the sight of her. I cry out at the loss, and it glows brighter and brighter until I’m blinded by it—until it’s all I can see.
All at once I’m thrust into it as it burns my eyes, and pain takes over. Pain from the loss of her, everywhere, it’s all I can feel.
She’s gone.
“There you are.” A face appears, the face of a young woman, blocking out the light above, but it’s not hers.
“Ce—” I croak, but I’m unable to speak, my throat raw.
“She’s okay, man.” I recognize the voice as a masculine hand grips mine. “I swear to you. We’ve got her covered. She’s okay.” Tyler. His shadowed face becomes clearer as he stands above me, worry etched in his eyes. “Don’t fight. Don’t fight, man. Let them do their thing.” His eyes dart to the woman, who isn’t her. It’s not Cecelia.
Furious, I struggle against him. I need to get back to her.