Crave Me (The Good Ol' Boys #4)(137)

His eyes remained on the road ahead, blowing out the smoke from his lungs through the corner of his mouth. The furthest away from me.

Making me smile from the memory of it all.

Him.

Before I knew it we were being seated out on the beach patio of the restaurant. The sun was shining bright, highlighting the red in Austin’s hair.

“Thank you,” I told the waitress after ordering my food.

She nodded and left.

“How have you been?” He was the first to break the silence.

“Really good, Austin. The best I’ve been in a long time, actually.”

He sadly smiled, looking out toward the water.

Not faltering, he stated, “I’m glad Esteban makes you so happy, Briggs. Even if it’s at my expense. You deserve all the happiness in the world. To be treated the way you always deserved.”

It broke my heart a little to hear him say that.

I cleared my throat, bringing his sudden solemn expression back to me.

“I’m not with Esteban.”

His eyebrows rose, taking in what I just shared.

“I haven’t been with him in almost a year-and-a-half. We’re still good friends. It was a mutual decision. It seemed like a good idea in theory, you know trying something else. After Esteban and I ran into each other, I changed my hair back to its original color. I covered my tattoos with clothing I would have never worn before. A part of me wanted to try to be the girl I was before my parents died. The Daisy I thought I was supposed to be. I thought I was happy, and in a way I was. But being comfortable isn’t being happy. I confused the two. He was good to me, and I knew him. I was hurting, and he was the perfect distraction. As much as I hate to admit it, I didn’t want to be alone.”

“Did you love him?” he asked, his stare not wavering from mine.

“No, Austin. Don’t get me wrong, I love him, but I was never in love with him. He knew it. It’s probably why he traveled so much. It was easier that way. He will find the right girl one day. It’s just not me. We sold the house after we broke up, and I started traveling all over for signings. I lived in and out of hotels for a good year, finding my independence for the first time in my life. It was good for me, to find myself. I dyed my hair back, and started dressing like I always had. This is who I am. This is the real Daisy. I bought a house in Oak Island a few months ago. It’s my home. You’re home has always felt like my home. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”

I couldn’t believe I just shared all of that with him, but Austin always had a way of making me feel comfortable in my own skin. It was easy to pour my heart out to him. He always made me feel like it was okay to share my thoughts and emotions with him like we had known each other for several lifetimes. Even then, after everything we had been through, it felt normal to tell him all that as if no time had passed between us at all.

No sad stories.

At least not anymore.





<>Austin<>


I took in every word she said, trying to keep my emotions in check. When all I wanted to do was reach across the f*cking table, and pull her into my arms. Hold her for as long as I could. Never letting her go.

She was single.

She was still mine.

“How about you? Hmmm? You seeing anyone?” she questioned, biting on her lip like she did when she was nervous.

I didn’t hesitate. “I haven’t been with anyone since you, baby.” I told her the honest-to-God truth, needing her to know that there was no one else for me, but her. “I had every intention of reading ‘our story’ when Alex gave it to me. It was the same day I received my six-month sobriety chip. I tried to read it every day since then, but I wasn’t ready to relive the past, when my future was finally full of possibilities. Up until three months ago, the book sat on my nightstand. When I finally decided to read it, I devoured the entire thing in one sitting. Staying up all night until I’d finished it. After that day, I read it again and again and again. You are so f*cking talented.”

Her eyes showed more emotion than I had seen in a long time. Her bright blue gaze intently focused on what I was saying. I leaned across the table, needing to feel close to her. Reaching for her hands to hold them in mine.

I recited from her book, “Have you ever met someone that you felt like you already knew with every fiber of your being? Knowing it was physically impossible, knowing it was the first time you had ever laid eyes on him, knowing that he was a complete and utter stranger. But, feeling it in your heart, in your mind, and in your soul that this person was a part of you. Someone you possibly met in a previous life, someone who may have meant something to you. I locked eyes with the guy across the room and a sense of deja vu hit me, I felt like I had seen him before, his presence was comforting and intriguing, although in my head I knew he was a complete stranger. I felt a pull towards him, like he was a piece of a puzzle that was missing from my life. I knew something was brewing. Something big. Important. Life-changing. The way he looked at me, consumed me in ways I never thought possible. There was a predatory, yet captivating glare in his eyes. As if I was the answer to every question he ever had.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief, tears pooling immediately.

“I felt every single one of those things you described in our love story, Daisy. Every last one of them. And yes, the second I laid eyes on you… you answered every question I ever had.”