Page 74 of Her Filthy Grump

As I watch his retreat, I’m motionless. I thought I was prepared for our time to end. He leaves in five weeks. But I’ve been lying to myself, I’m not strong enough to see us end. I’ve always known I wanted everything with him. I was an idiot to think he would change his mind. I’m a momentary distraction at his pitstop in the road.

Is there still time? Can I convince him what we have is worth it? Finally, I find my gumption and follow him.

He grabs the pot of coffee and pours a mug for him and one for me. “Here you go.” He hands the steaming hot mug to me. “Sorry for flaking out on you last night. I’ve had a lot on my mind and must have been exhausted.”

“It’s okay.” My eyes scan over him, looking for signs of trouble, but he appears the same as always.

“You should have woken me up.”

“I tried.” He grins and cups the back of my head. “I spooned you, and you ignored me.”

“Oh.” I flush. That wasn’t a dream. As his mouth descends on mine, I wrap my arms around his neck. His tongue sweeps against my bottom lip, nudging it down to give him access.

Not that I would deny him. I would do whatever he asked me to. My heart skips as my knees go weak. Even if that means following him halfway across the country. It’ll break my heart to leave my family and friends, but I can’t live without him.

I pull back. “My mom wants to meet you. She said she would like for us to come over and have dinner this weekend.”

His eyes widen, and he steps back. “I don’t think this is a good time.”

“Why?” My back stiffens, and I prop my hands on my hips. “There’s nothing wrong with her, and you’ve met my dad. Remember? He’s your boss. What’s the big deal?”

“I’m sure she’s great. I don’t doubt that.” He paces in front of me. “But your dad barely tolerates me, and at work, he pretends like we aren’t seeing each other. He’s not going to want me to shove it in his face by sitting across from him at the dinner table.”

“My parents are a perfect example of what a committed relationship looks like. They’ve been devoted to each other for thirty years. I want you to see that people who love each other can have a long-term relationship that works.”

He shakes his head, stops in the middle of the room, and shoves his hands into his pockets. “I’m sure they’re great. But we’re having pre-marital sex, my parents are a shitshow, and I can’t tell them exactly what the future holds.”

“I see.” I lick my lips and back up. The unforgiving hardness of the island smacks into my lower back.

“Listen, we need to talk about where things are going, but I need to get to work. I can’t be late.” He lifts his arm and scrutinizes his watch. “I’m already late.”

My hands curl into fists, causing my nails to cut into my palms. “You’d better get to work, then.”

‘Do you want to break up?’The words stick in my throat. I know it’s better to be blunt and get things out into the open. But I can’t ask the question. I’m too scared of the answer.

“When do you get off work?”

“Six o’clock.” I swing around to keep the tears from swelling up and flooding his kitchen.

I won’t cry. At least not in front of him. I hate when women use tears to keep a guy–almost as much as I can’t stand women who trick men into relationships by getting pregnant.

If a guy doesn’t want to be with me, then that’s the way it is. Even if it’s Kameron and the whole world is being ripped out from under my feet.

“I’ll stop by on my break.”

“Sure.” I speed walk through the living room. Before I can make it to the bedroom door, the first tear rushes down my cheek, followed by a trickle of her friends. I’ve got to get out of here.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Kameron

Shit.I close my eyes and lean my head against the headrest of the pickup. I need to tell Layla my plans, but I don’t have everything lined up yet. I want to know exactly where things are going before I talk to her about it, and approach her parents.

I have a week until Roman gets back into town, and that should give me enough time to find a place to buy. Something perfect that symbolizes how I feel about her, about us, and how much she’s changed my life.

Every night this week, I’ve been by the real estate agent’s office looking at available homes. Over the years, I’ve saved up enough money to have a good down payment on a house for Layla and me. One we can raise a family in.

Between work, searching for a place to live, and rearranging my financial affairs, it’s taken every waking moment I’ve had. I feel like an ass falling asleep on Layla last night, but I’m exhausted.