Page 51 of Blinded By Loyalty
“Is he gone?”
“He is. You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. It felt sort of liberating to tell him off.”
“You were a badass.” I sat next to her and tucked her into my side.
“You give me strength and courage.”
“Baby, you had both before I ever arrived on the scene.”
“No, I didn’t. I put up a good front, but inside, I was the same intimidated little girl I’d always been. I never wanted to upset my parents or let them down.”
I pressed my lips to her head. “You haven’t let them down. They love you very much. Your father even said so.”
She snorted. “Right. Those were just words. He didn’t mean it.”
“Of course he meant them. He loves you and he’s sorry for upsetting you. You’re not really going to cut them out of your life, are you?”
“I will if they give me crap about you.” The resolute tone in her soft voice surprised me.
“No, sweetheart. They’re your parents. You’re lucky to have both of them in your life.”
She tilted her head up and frowned. “I’m sorry you don’t have yours.”
“I’ve never had my dad in my life, so I’m not missing anything. My mom’s been gone for a decade. I miss her, but I think she’s in a better place.”
“It just makes me sad for you.” She stroked my chest. This woman was more than I ever dreamed of. I never thought someone like her would love someone like me.
“You have a huge, caring heart.”
She sighed, nuzzling her face in the crook of my neck. “I love you, Axel.”
I squeezed her, wishing I could stop time. “I love you too, Simone.” More than life itself.
20 Axel
THE LAST FOUR days had flown by at Mach speed when all Simone and I had done was stay in her loft. I hadn’t wanted to do anything more than just be with her, and she never once complained. But now I was ready to go out. Tomorrow I would break her heart and leave her forever.
“I thought we could go to the beach later. Watch the sunset.” It was something I hadn’t ever done for pleasure, but I wanted to with her.
“I’d love to. I guess it’s safe to leave the loft now, huh?”
“Yes. You’re safe now, sweetheart.”
There were dozens of things I never took the time to enjoy because I was angry and bitter. I just went through life working. Now I had someone I wanted to experience stuff with, and I’d never get the opportunity.
The world was a cruel, cruel place.
My heart ached something fierce, knowing my time with her was nearing the end. I didn’t want to leave this beautiful woman tomorrow. How in the hell would I say good-bye to her?
We strolled down the boardwalk in Santa Monica, hand in hand. We were like several other couples out for the evening. Oddly, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
I inhaled the sea air, gazed at the seagulls flying around, and wondered why in the hell this was my first time out here. Before I left in November, I’d been in Southern California for more than six months, and during that time, I hadn’t once been out to the beach. My days were filled with work and gym time. Nothing more.
If miracles were real and someone like me received one, I’d change my life entirely just to be with this beautiful lady walking beside me forever.
“I love the ocean. Will and I used to come here when we were kids with our nanny. We’d build sandcastles, eat snow cones, and ride the Ferris wheel.”