Drive(92)

“You’re punishing me.”

“What?”

“For leaving, for letting you go, for the concert. You’re punishing me for all of it.”

“I’m in love with my boyfriend, Reid,” I said, zipping my purse.

His eyes flared. “That may be the truth, but you’re in love with me, too.”

“Don’t do this,” I snapped as I turned to face him head-on. “Just don’t.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s too late,” I said as my heart sounded off a warning. “I don’t want to fight with you, Reid.”

“I’m fighting for you, Stella,” he said, taking a step forward. “I keep waiting for you to end it with this guy. You tell me he’s a good man, fine. I say I can be the better man. I’m putting my hat in the ring. Right. Fucking. Now.”

“You’re insane,” I said, gesturing for him to open the door. He crossed his arms, refusing to budge.

I took a steadying breath. “I have to go.”

“I’m right. You’re punishing me. You’ve been punishing me. And won’t even give me the time of day.”

“I’ve been living my life. You’ve been busy yourself.”

“And you never answered a single phone call.”

“You’ve called once a year,” I said accusingly.

“On our birthday. It was a good excuse.”

“For what?” I snapped.

“To show you I was still waiting!”

“Oh, this is ridiculous.”

“No, what’s ridiculous is you won’t even listen to what I have to say. You refuse to try to see how hard I’ve fucking worked to get straight. I went to counseling. I kept my promise to you, and I’ve sat back and respected your wishes when it comes to him, but no more. You belong with me.”

I guffawed. “Practicing abstinence, too, Crowne?”

“Fuck no,” he said. “But say the word, Stella, and I’m yours, and you’re mine, and we end this fucking charade.”

“My life is not a charade.”

“Where is he when it’s important, like tonight?”

“Don’t you dare judge him, ever. He’s the best man I know. And who in hell are you to talk? When it’s important? Are you serious? He’s been there for the last three years. Where were you?”

“In here,” he said, pressing his fingers to my temple before placing his burning hand to my chest, “and in here.” His palm seared me. “And working my ass off to get to this moment. To this. Right now.”

“I love him.”

“You love me, too, and I’ve been robbed long enough.”

“Oh? Have you now? You’re finally ready for Stella?” I scoffed. “Ship has sailed, Reid. Get out of my way.”

In a flash, I was pinned to the door, his hands holding my wrists, his eyes unforgiving. “I love you.”

“No.” It was a throaty whisper.

“I love you. And I miss you, Stella. And that’s not going to change.”

“Stop it,” I said, fighting his hold on my wrists.

“I miss hearing your dreams when you wake up. I miss spending nights just talking in our bed. Simple shit I would never take for granted again, as long as I got to do it with you. You’re all I think about. I haven’t slept a full night since you left my bed. Everything I’ve done since the minute I left Austin has been about getting back to you a better man. A man more capable of giving you what you deserve. I’m there. I’ve been there for a while, and it’s time you knew. And today and every day after is about getting you back. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t wait anymore. I don’t want to, Stella. It’s our time.”

I bit my trembling lips.

“Stella, you haven’t forgotten. I see everything by just looking at you.”

“I’m with Nate.”

“Be with me,” he pressed. “You got me off my knees, Stella. Living with you, even in that shitty apartment, was the best time of my life. I don’t want to sleep another night without you.”

“Reid—”

His jaw ticked. “He’s going to ask you to marry him, if he’s smart. Don’t say yes.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Worse.”

“What is worse?”

“In love.” He dipped to kiss me, and I moved my lips away. He cursed and bit his lip, staring down at me, his frustration palpable. Exasperated, he took a step back. “Fine, I’ll play fair, but I’m playing. I want you back. I want you in my life.”

“You’re about to tour the world, Crowne. Just how do you propose to make that happen?”

Reid looked at me stunned, as if he’d just remembered he was about to play on five other continents. “Fuck!”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, there is that small rock ‘n’ roll thing.”

“Come with me,” he said softly. “Stella, I’ll give anything for seven more minutes. But I want all of them. You said I could have them all.”

“This was your plan? To drag me into an interview and then lure me into your life with an I love you?”

“It’s been three years and you haven’t chosen him.”