Page 73 of Madden

She’s quiet, likely picking up on the emotion.

Her voice lowers, and she whispers, “I wish I could be there. You know if I could be, I would.”

I nod even though she can’t see me.

“Yeah… I know.”

We both sit in silence.

“This isn’t about me being gone, is it? Is it the window? Or did something else happen?”

I shake my head. How am I supposed to tell her all this with her hundreds of miles away from me? If I do, she could disappear, and I’d never see her again.

She’s already sent me the article. Her job with me is done. She could decide this is too much for her, cut her losses, and dip out without another word.

She doesn’t owe me anything more. Lord knows, with all the drama, I’ve done enough.

“There’s so much I need to tell you, but not like this. Soon, just not right now.”

“Okay…” She trails off.

“Brielle,” I croak.

“Yes?”

“I…” I trail off.

How do I say this to her? How do I possibly tell her how much she means to me and convince her not to leave me without telling her everything?

“Madden, whatever it is, we’ll get through it. Okay? We’ll figure it out. You and me. We’ll get through anything.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, rubbing my fingers over them. I’m trying to keep control of my emotions, but she can’t possibly understand how much I need to hear this right now.

“You mean it?”

She sighs. “Of course, I mean it.”

“I need you to come to me. I know it sounds selfish, and I’m sorry. I understand if you can’t right away. I get you have work and other more important shit, but I just need you here.”

“I don’t know how soon I’ll be able to leave. I’ll talk to my boss tomorrow, and I’ll let you know. I’ll be on the first flight out as soon as I can.”

The weight on my chest eases some, and those three words are on the tip of my tongue.

Now isn’t the time, though. Not when we have so much to talk about. Not when we still haven’t figured out what this is or what we are.

It doesn’t matter, though. All that matters is I know I want to be with her.

I love her.

I’ll wait, though, wait until she’s here and in my arms. When she can see the look on my face and the love in my eyes. I’ll tell her, and whatever comes our way, we’ll face it head-on together.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “I’ll be here waiting for you.”