Because of Low (Sea Breeze #2)(42)

“You probably scared the shit out of him. It isn’t easy to see you do that.”

I nodded.

“It was because I didn’t have your drinks?”

I teared up again and shrugged. “Sorta. The idea you were letting me go and I’d be alone.”

He shook his head, “Never gonna happen. If the damn mexican drinks run out and I’m a little slow getting some more it doesn’t mean I’m letting you go. You’ll never be alone Low. I swear to you. You hear me.”

“Yeah”

He glanced back over his shoulder.

“He didn’t leave the apartment. He went to his bedroom.”

“Thanks,” I reached up and hugged him. Dreading the idea of facing Marcus.

“I love you Low,” he whispered.

“I love you too,” I replied and stepped back. I had to go deal with Marcus witnessing my craziness. Cage couldn’t do that for me. It was all me.





Chapter Sixteen





Marcus



I sat on the edge of the bed and cradled my head in my hands. What the hell had just happened? And why had I not been able to reach her? Watching her bury herself in Cage’s arms had been more than I could handle. The jealousy that he was the one she went to ate me alive. I was second best. Again. But this time it was ripping me apart. Sadie hadn’t consumed me this way. She hadn’t owned me. Low did.

The door opened slowly and I turned my head to see Willow stepping inside the room. I watched as she closed the door behind her. The worry and fear in her eyes killed me but I didn’t go to her. She hadn’t wanted me. It had been Cage she wanted.

“I’m sorry you saw me like that,” she said in a small voice.

That’s why she was sorry?

“You turned to him. Not me.”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

“I was having an anxiety attack. I was focused on breathing. When I heard Cage’s voice I knew he’d helped me through it. He’s had to help me through a lot of them.”

“I could have helped you.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears and she took a tentative step toward me then stopped.

“I needed Cage because the attack had to do with Cage. I needed reassurance from him.”

What?

“I don’t understand,” I said sitting up and watching her take another step in my direction.

“You see, Cage has never left me. My father left me. My mother left me. My sister left me. Cage never left me. When people would leave me, he was always there. He is the one person I’ve always depended on. I’ve always known no matter what he’ll be there.” She stopped and took a deep breath. “When I opened the fridge and my drinks were gone, well that’s never happened. I thought he was letting me go. I thought he was leaving me too.”

Ah damn.

Standing up I closed the distance she’d been afraid to bridge.

“I’m here. You have me.”

She gave me a sad smile.

“One day, whatever this is will end. Relationships always do. Then you’ll leave me too.”

She’d been hurt so much.

I took her face in my hands and held her gaze.

“Listen to me. I’m in love with you. Mad crazy in love with you. I’m not going anywhere. Ever. You can’t get rid of me.”

A tear rolled down her face and I swiped it with my thumb then kissed the tip of her nose.

“I really want to believe you and I think you really believe that but Marcus where I come from, people leave.”

If it took me the rest of my life I’d prove to her I wasn’t going anywhere. She just needed actions not words. Words she’d heard before.

“I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”

She closed her eyes, “I hope so,” she whispered.

I reached down and grabbed her hand and pulled her over to the bed. I’d come up here thinking about doing a little more of what we’d done this morning but things had changed. Now I just wanted to be the one who held her. I wanted to make it all better. Just me.



I opened my eyes and the room was dark and I was alone in bed. Sitting up I ran my hands through my hair and stood up to go find Willow. When I opened the bedroom door Larissa smiled up at me, “Martus,” she announced loudly.

“Princess,” I replied smiling down at her. Two little arms lifted in the air and I reached down to pick her up. I’d already learned that wordless demand.

“I didn’t know you were coming to visit me.”

She clapped,”Martus pay.”

“He just woke up Larissa, give him a minute,” Willow chided her as she walked out of the kitchen.

“I made some chicken fettucini alfredo if you want some. Tawny stopped by unexpectedly about an hour ago and dropped Larissa off. I’m supposed to work tonight but if I didn’t keep her she was going to leave her with this awful lady down the street all night long. I couldn’t let her do that, so,” she shrugged.

“I’ll keep her.”

Willow froze and stared at me.

“You will?” the shock on her face hurt a little.

“Yeah, of course. I was going to stay here tonight anyway. She and I will build blocks and knock them over, play with spoons, we’ll have a blast.”