Our love shattered
like glass in slow motion.
Only echoes of kisses in the distance like
cries of help.
You left,
and the memories collected like dust
I never wiped away.
The words that come out take me back to eight years ago. To my old bedroom where I sat hunched over my notebook. Where my hand hurt to write anymore because I was trying so hard to work out my frustrations on the paper.
I’m transported to my time in college. Years have passed, but I never really healed.
When I laid eyes on Aiden at our first meeting, my old wounds he created split wide open, and he poured salt inside with his confession of the mess we created.
It’s why it hurt so badly to learn the truth about his trip and those girls—that it was all a ruse.
You left like a plane during takeoff.
I would’ve stood at the gate, waving
goodbye
had I known it was me
you were leaving behind.
Had you known I wasn’t the only one
you deserted, would you
have flapped your wings and disappeared
into the night? Or would you have stayed and run
through the gate into my arms?
I blink, rereading the question in the last poem, considering the answer.
“That’s not who I am now.”
People do change—Aiden and I have. We’ve grown, evolved, and the experiences of our past shaped us.
In every broken piece of me, I know the truth.
“I loved you then, and I love you now.”
I believe him. I believe he loves me, and one day, he’ll love this baby too.
Chapter Thirty-One
AIDEN
“You’re in love.”
My throat closes as if I ate a strawberry—my only allergy.
“You’re in love with Sage, and she obviously loves you back, yet you’re still moping.”
I turn in my chair to face Westin.
He grimaces like it hurts to see me in this state. Granted, I could’ve combed my hair and tried harder to match my shoes to today’s choice of plaid, but his obvious disgust makes me feel even worse.
“What happened to you two, man? You were doing so well before her husband surprised her with a visit. Does she think they have a chance again? Are you jealous? What is it?”
I smirk. “No, there’s no chance of them getting back together. Not after spending time with me. She and I… we’re meant to be together, and I know she knows it, but she’s asking for space instead.” I ram my hands through my hair and tug on the ends. “And I don’t fucking blame her.”
I tell Westin the rest of the story, of what happened the last few weeks.
I was an ass.
I didn’t realize the damage I’d done to her by running away before she could explain.
When we first saw each other again, at our first meeting, I was angry with her for not choosing me. I resented her because I thought she didn’t feel the same for me. I thought she ruined me for love.
But I hurt her too.
I took so much from her.
We both made mistakes, and now I’m left with nothing but guilt and self-loathing.
“Have you tried to talk to her?” Westin asks.
“Of course, I have. I’ve called and texted. Left way too many voicemails than is appropriate after she asked for space, but I can’t help it. I’m losing my shit.”
“You have a…” He points to my head, and I smooth my wavy hair down.
“Thanks.” I stand, rolling my eyes, and wipe the Pop-Tart crumbs from my pants. “I have to take a piss.”
He nods, stepping out of my way.
When I return from the restroom, Jared and Westin are huddled around my desk.
“What’re you doing?”
“We’re plotting how to get your girl back.” Jared rubs his hands together.
“There’s nothing you can do—I don’t even know what to fucking do.”
“You’re not in this alone.” Westin grips my shoulder. “You have us.”
“Now, sit down so we can strategize.” Jared snaps his fingers, inching away. “Or should we use the SMART Board in the conference room?”
I grab both of them by the collars of their shirts and drag them back. “What makes you think she even wants me back? She would’ve answered even a single call if she did.”
“She loves you, man.” Westin smacks my hand away. “You just need to show her you do too.”
“I’ve already told her, and it didn’t work.” I sigh, dropping my hands to my sides, defeated. I’m spent from all the sleep I’ve lost alternating between berating myself and wishing I could turn back time.
“That’s why I said you need to show her. It’s not enough to say the words, not after your messy history. You need a grand gesture. One so big romantic comedy fans will swoon right into a coma. Which means you need help—you need us.” Westin points between him and Jared.
“What he said.” Jared shrugs.
I work my jaw back and forth, staring at their collars and the wrinkles from where I gripped them.
Westin, the son of bitch, always has the right thing to say. The wisest of us three. His head is on straight. His focus is laser-tight and narrow. It’s why Jared and I would follow him to the end of the earth—like brothers.
Family.
How do I get Sage’s attention?
How do I win her over, for good this time?
Because I want her. I love her.
My gaze bounces between my two best friends as my mind sorts through different options until it lands on an idea. My eyes widen when it hits me. “I know what to do. We only need to figure out how to get her to meet me there.”
“We’ll do anything we can to help.” Jared claps his hands.
“What he said.” Westin grins.
And together, we use the SMART Board to draw up a plan to win the girl.
Chapter Thirty-Two
SAGE
I pull the account files on my desk and skim through them, brainstorming ideas for press releases and social media, but the one I focus on the most is Jock Stock.
Their launch is coming up fast, and I need to put together a few mailers and confirm details with the venue for the party. We’re expecting more guests now than originally planned, which is great, but it also means more food, drinks, and seating.
This week, I’ve been more like an event planner than a publicist’s assistant with planning the details for the party and helping Taylor with her wedding, but I’ve enjoyed it.
It’s been a welcomed distraction for the time being.
By the time I check everything off my to-do list for the day, the sun has already started setting. Yawning, I walk to Taylor’s office.
“I meant to ask, how was the meeting with the venue earlier?” I lean on Taylor’s doorframe.
She sighs in her chair behind her desk. “It went well, and I think we’re pretty much set for the big day.”
“I can’t believe there are only two weeks left,” I gush.
“It doesn’t seem real, but time has flown.”
“I think we lost a month during our Vegas trip.”
“Yeah, right. You came to work that Monday morning looking like you’d spent three days at a spa.” She scoffs. “How could you refuse shots of lemon sweetness from hot, tatted bartenders?”
I smile, pointing at her. “I thought you were going to fight me for that one guy’s attention at the first club, so I steered clear afterward.”
“That was the shots talking.” She throws her head back and laughs. “He was fine, but no one compares to Joe, of course.”
“Not even the sexy strippers,” I muse.
She pauses, as if she’s mentally comparing the exotic male dancers from Naked Heat to Joe. “Nah, I’d still take Joe over anyone.” She grins.
I’m about to turn when she stops me.
“How are you and Aiden?”
“What do you mean?” I freeze.
“Have you two made up yet?” She tilts her head, rocking back in her seat.
“I don’t… I don’t know what you mean.” I cross my arms over my chest, then wince, extra aware of how sensitive my breasts are becoming.
“Come on, Sage.” She smiles, and it’s genuine. Her posture is relaxed—no sign of anger—which puts me at ease. “I’ve known about you two for a while. It’s pretty obvious given the way you look at each other.”
“And how’s that?” I ask, purposely stalling.
“The way Joe and I look at each other—like you’re in love.”
I exhale, shifting from one foot to the other, and give up the charade. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
She waves her hand. “I’d be mad, but your work performance has been too fantastic. I mean, I would not have been able to take on more clients and do so well without you. You know your stuff.”
My chest blooms. “Thank you.”
“Now, about Aiden…” She eyes me.
“It’s very… complicated.”
“But do you love him?”
“Yes.”
“Then, don’t give up.”
Nodding, I’m grateful for her advice and also relieved she doesn’t give me a hard time for being with Aiden in the first place.
She’s an understanding person, an admirable publicist, and a respectable and excellent boss.
I still can’t believe my good fortune for working here.
“In fact, why don’t you head out for the night?” she suggests.
“But we have work to do for Jock Stock and the new clothing line account.”
“I’ll finish up the more urgent matters, and you and I can get to the rest tomorrow.”
“Okay, if you’re sure…”
“I am.”
Once I gather my things, I make my way to the elevator. When I get on, I tap my foot, my nerves jumbled. I don’t have anywhere to go.
No drinks with Naomi.
No date with Aiden.
I miss him like crazy. Like a leaf separated from its branch, I miss Aiden Baxter, no matter how exasperating and stubborn he can be.
He’s also warm and sexy and makes me feel loved.
Sighing, I exit the elevator and walk out the door until I’m outside. I abruptly stop when my gaze falls on Jared.
He’s standing on the sidewalk, rocking back and forth on his heels. “My lady.” He holds his arm out to show me to the taxi waiting behind him.
I furrow my eyebrows, standing firmly in place. “What’s going on?”
“Your chariot awaits.” He shrugs.
The driver leans out the window. “Are you getting in, or what?”
Reluctantly, I get into the cab, and Jared follows, giving him an address.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“You’ll see.”
I sigh. “Look, Jared, I’m sure Aiden put you up to this, but he’s not respecting the space I asked him for. He is so—”
“I know.” When he looks at me, his eyes are sad and sympathetic. “But this is different. Please hear him out.”
I cross my arms.
Jared places his hand on my shoulder. “Please. He’s really sorry, and he wants to talk to you.”
“Why didn’t he come himself, then? Why did he send you?”
“Because you wouldn’t have gone with him, obviously.”
“Good point.”
“You know Aiden better than Westin and I do. He’s complicated. Prickly.”
“A broody dick ninety percent of the time.”
“That too.” He cracks a smile. “But he has a big heart. And he really cares about you. He’s been a mess since your fight, and I can’t take seeing him this way. I know you miss him too.”
I study him. His lightly stubbled jaw. His clear eyes staring back at me. There’s no sign of his teasing nature. “Why are you being so… normal?”
He chuckles as we take a turn and pull to a stop. “Sometimes, life isn’t all fun and games. Every now and then, love makes us serious.”
“What do you know about love?”
Jared finishes paying and opens the door. “Not much, but when I look at you and Aiden? It makes me want to find out.”
I remain in my seat, peering out the windshield at the horizon and back to Jared.
He holds his hand out and quirks his eyebrow. “Coming?”
The driver exhales, clearly annoyed, and I jump out of the car before he throws me out.
When he drives away, I turn to Jared, who taps at his phone. After a short pause, he asks, “Ready?”
I sharply inhale, then nod.
“Good answer.” He laughs, holding his hand out for me to lead the way, which is when I look up.
The outdoor patio with cute red umbrellas.
The wrought iron rails and wooden tables.
The place Aiden brought me for poetry night.
I step toward the door like I’m walking a tightrope and pass the familiar chalkboard, announcing it’s open-mic poetry night again. Speechless, I open the door and cross the threshold. It looks the same, except for the red rose petals sprinkled across each table.
And Aiden walks to the center of the stage, holding a single rose in one hand and a piece of paper in the other.
I gasp.
The room silences.
Aiden’s voice echoes around us, sending a shiver down my spine.
“How’s everyone doing tonight?” He wrinkles the piece of paper in his hand, and his voice shakes as people murmur a resounding answer. “I’ve, uh, never done this before, but I want to impress a girl.”
My heart cracks when he locks eyes with me and gives me a sheepish smile. The one he gave me all those nights ago in college when he told me how he really felt about me.
How much he liked me.
How much he still loves me.
“She once told me I had poetry in me, and I disagreed.” He works his jaw back and forth, glancing down at his paper and up at me again. “She told me all I had to do was speak from the heart, and that’s what I’m doing.”
The room erupts with an aww and a few claps as my stomach flutters.
My lips tremble with a watery grin as he begins.
“We were young. Too young to live. To love. To know.
But we loved each other—that much we were sure of.
It was a soul-shattering love,
one that awakens the heart, like the sun
rattles a new day.
Because of you, I saw the world anew.
The little things became extraordinary
because you made me believe,
like a man reborn,
a new heart with which to love.
A heart that forever beats for you, no matter
the number of sunrises, the storms, or the distance.
Because our love awakened the best parts of me—you.”
He clears his throat, flicking his gaze toward the crowd until he finds me, then folds the paper in his hand. “I love you, Jersey.”
I clutch my chest, letting the stream of tears fall.
“You said we’re broken, and although that might be true, we’re not over. Don’t you see?” He smiles, his gaze hopeful and unwavering. “Our broken pieces fit. We fit. We’re strong, and together, we’re unbreakable.”
He waits expectantly as the room stills. The crowd follows his gaze to where I stand. Some hold their breath, and others smile.
Together, they wait.
My tears continue falling one by one.
Nodding, I rush to the front where Aiden climbs down from the small stage, and I jump into his arms.
The cheers are instant and deafening as I plant my lips on his in a kiss that’s too heated for an audience.
But I don’t care.
Because I’m in Aiden’s arms, and he kisses me with no regrets.
No guilt.
On
ly love. I have all his love—all of him.
I pull back, giggling, and in my periphery, the people in the crowd have stood up, clapping.
Leaning my head on his strong chest, I laugh, and he joins me.
We wave like this is the end of our play, and we even bow, which causes a new round of laughs from us.
Westin and Jared stand in the back clapping as well. I squint to make sure I’m seeing the woman standing next to them correctly—Naomi.
I grin wider when she shrugs, her lips curling at the corners.
I snuggle deeper into Aiden’s side and accept the rose from him as he leads us out onto the sidewalk.
In the crisp early summer air, I bring his lips to mine, kissing him with more emotion than I could manage with words.
“I’m sorry,” he mutters against my lips, and I swallow them like I would water. “So fucking sorry.”
“I’m sorry too.” I place my hand on his chest, sharply inhaling.
He leans his forehead to mine, holding my hand over his pec, squeezing it.
“I love you too,” I whisper.
He crushes his lips to mine, brushing across my mouth with intention. Want. Fervor. He then parts my lips with his tongue, firmly exploring my mouth.
My breaths become labored as he steals each one like he stole my heart all those years ago.
On this chipped sidewalk in the middle of New York City, underneath the evening sky, showered with twinkling lights from the surrounding buildings, Aiden kisses me like he’s a dying man.
By the time he pulls back, we’re panting.
“Your place?” I ask, winded from his kiss—and him.
Without a word, he grabs my hand and waves for the first taxi we see.
As the buildings blur, his leg bounces faster and faster.
I bite my lip.
The cab buzzes with excitement—with newfound hope.
And my chest swells.
When I look at Aiden, I feel the planet shift. It rights itself. I’m in New York, where I always dreamed I’d be. I’m doing well at my job. I’ve rekindled my relationship with my cousin, and she’s becoming my best friend.
Then there’s Aiden. In a few weeks, his company will really take off. He’s successful and happy.
Unbreakable: A Salvation Society Novel Page 22