Frayed (Torn #2)(61)

When I took hold of his hand and shoved the box in it, he didn’t argue. In a second, he had me in his arms, holding me like I was his lifeline. “I love you. I always will love you and I will always regret the day I hurt you. Losing you is my punishment; I don’t know how I will survive without you. I want you to live your life. You deserve another chance at love, to marry someone who will never hurt you. I’m sorry I wasn’t man enough to protect what I had in the very beginning. That’s my regret, not yours.” I tasted tears when his lips met mine, but wasn’t sure if they were mine or his; it was bittersweet. “Goodbye, my love.”

After another kiss, he let go of me, stepping aside. I glanced at his sorrow-filled expression, but I knew this was it. As much as I loved Harry, there was no turning back the hurt, betrayal and the wasted love. “Goodbye, my love,” I chokingly whispered behind him, before I slowly left the cottage. My heart broke, but the cracks were immediately filled with faith, for the future and for the man who held a major part of it, Taylor Montgomery.





Chapter 27


Trista


“Here’s his address and cell number. I had to beg Bass and made him promise not to tell his bestie a damn word about it.” Lindsey slid a piece of paper with her lazy scrolls into my hand before she sat next to me at the breakfast table. “You have to go and see him. Whether it’s for closure or just to pop in and say hello, you have to go, Tris. You’re never going to move on until you do. We both know it, so do this today.”

Two weeks had passed since I said my goodbyes to Harry. For each of those fourteen days, I had tried to gather up courage to see Taylor, but I always ended up being a coward and kept pushing back the inevitable.

Amber yawned as she strode into the kitchen, joining Lindsey’s campaign. “Yuppers. You gotta do it. You owe this much to him and to yourself. Stop thinking and just go.” she said before she spun around to the fridge and took out a carton of orange juice.

“Tonight,” I murmured to both of them. I had to make it or break it.

Tonight was my D-Day. I was scared shitless but it was today or never.





***



I had no idea what kind of car he drove, so I wasn’t sure if that was his in the driveway, but I knew I had to try and pursue my heartfelt mission or I might never forgive myself.

My entire body felt like it had been electrocuted. My hairs stood up and I was uncomfortably jumpy. Each step I took heading towards the two, tall, black main doors, felt stone heavy. I tried to clear my muddled brain as I pushed the doorbell. Breathe. I was in the middle of rehearsing the things I wanted to say to him, but every thought vanished the moment my eyes connected to his. I stood there, speechless, nervous as hell and momentarily clueless. f*uk.

For the past two weeks I had been so busy trying to figure out what to say to him that I had overlooked what it would do to me to see him again. My memories didn’t do him justice. My dreams couldn’t compare to the realness of him. The overwhelming feeling of happiness, sadness, desperation, fright and insecurity were eating me whole as we stared at each other in utter shock.

“Trista?”

My teeth caught the bottom of my lip as my eyes took in his dressed state. “Hi…you’re going out?” Taylor was wearing a black, expensive tux, unbuttoned around his neck with a black bowtie hanging around it, looking irresistibly and sinfully sublime. Good God, how did I even think it was possible not crave this sexy monster?

“I am, actually. I’m about to head out.” He sighed and opened the door wider. “We can speak for a bit. What brings you here?”

Where was he going? I wanted to ask, but didn’t want to cause any rift before I had to say my peace. “Thank you,” I murmured past him, entering his home.

After he closed the door behind me, he motioned towards me to follow him. Quietly, I walked behind him as my eyes took in his home. It was not what I had expected; it was masculine, but homey. His living room was painted in pale honeydew with dark wood flooring and furniture. He had two, large, white linen couches facing each other, they and they looked rather comfortable. One wall had floor-to-ceiling hardcover law books in numbered editions. I became so engrossed studying his living room that I forgot about Taylor until he spoke.

“You can take a seat if you want.” His chin gestured at the couch while he stood there, hands in his pockets. I could tell he was studying me, probably waiting for me to get my shit together and start talking. Why was this so difficult? I found myself leaning against the couch, my hand on the edge of the armrest, needing something to hold me up. “How are you? I heard you came back two weeks ago. I just came by to say hi and catch up.” I blabbered out, awkward, edgy and utterly nervous. I sounded like a complete idiot and, at this very instant, I certainly felt like one. Taylor’s distant attitude didn’t help calm my nerves.

“I’m doing well—” He paused when the house phone started ringing. He cocked his head to check the time on the clock.

It was obvious that he was pressed for time. “You can go get it. I’ll let myself out. Sorry for interrupting your evening. I hadn’t—” My legs began leading out of there, but I paused as I was leaving the living room, when the voicemail picked up the call.

“Baby, it’s Meg. You’re not picking up your phone. So if you’re on your way, don’t mind this message. It’s crazy, I know but I miss you already. Hurry!” After a long beeping sound, the house became silent again.