Our vow renewal ceremony was more amazing than I could have ever imagined. When Grace told me she loved me and only me, she made me the happiest guy in the world. I’m delighted for our family, and for our future, with my child growing inside of her. She doesn't know that I found the positive pregnancy test in the garbage, and I can’t wait for her to tell me so I can scream my excitement to the heavens and back. Our baby will bring us even closer and strengthen our relationship.
Our lives are back on track, and we’re both content. With Scott out of the picture, nothing can tear us apart. Well, nothing that is except for Allison. I saw her attend our ceremony even though she wasn’t invited. Allison is up to something, and I have a bad feeling about her intentions. Grace can’t learn about Allison being around again; she just can’t. Grace is finally mine; I finally have everything I’ve ever wanted, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect what’s mine. Whatever. It. Takes.
Sneak Peek: The Risk, Scott’s Story
Why must everyone think I’m such a jerk for leaving Grace behind? It was either us struggling every day to make ends meet or us experiencing a lavish, worry free lifestyle if I was able to make it big in the soccer leagues. I had to take that chance for Grace. I didn’t want to continue living life worrying about where our next meal would come from or if we’d have a roof over our heads. Grace deserved better than that. I wanted to give her a life where she could be carefree and happy and never have to work. She could spend all her time writing and drawing and having sex with me. Yes, in my mind, rich sex would be far better than poor sex. I just wanted Grace to have a chance at happiness, and she wouldn’t get that living in squalor.
I remember when Grace came to Ms. Allen's home. She ignored everyone and stayed to herself. That was probably the smartest way to make it through life in a group home, but I knew she wasn’t happy that way. I knew there was more to her than a sad girl who read, drew, and wrote, and I was determined to find out who Grace really was. Once I got her to talk to me, we became friends. Our friendship soon blossomed into love. She was the love of my life, and I was hers. We were going to be together for the rest of our lives, and I promised to always take care of her. I made so many promises to her even though I knew I wouldn't be able to keep them. I knew I would let her down, but I never anticipated the extent to which I would betray her.
As my success grew in the professional soccer leagues, so did my appetite and desire for the high life. For the first time in my life, I had everything I could ever want. I didn’t have to worry about money or surviving through the day. It was a glorious feeling! I loved the adoration of my fans and how they would cheer my name both on and off the field. I lived and breathed soccer, even to the point of getting caught up with my manager’s daughter, Maxine. I finally told Maxine that I could never love her, and she said she understood, but I could see the disappointment in her eyes. I hated that I was disappointing another woman.
See, even though I was living a great life, I never forgot about Grace. There were times when the guilt of what I did to her ate away at me; and yes, there were even times when I didn’t even think of her. Then I would feel guilty for not feeling guilty. It was an endless cycle. I never stopped loving Grace – she was still the love of my life. Without her with me, I felt incomplete and like I could never truly be happy despite my wealth and success. I thought about reaching out to her several times, but I always lost my nerve. I would’ve been heartbroken if she wouldn’t talk to me, or worse yet, said she no longer loved me. So, fear and guilt kept me from reaching out to her.
I’ll be forever grateful that Grace found the courage to contact me. I couldn’t believe it when I learned she had sent me an email. I didn’t really believe it was her at first, so I asked the person to call me. That phone call changed my life; it really was Grace. But, she no longer sounded like my Grace, and I had no one to blame but myself. I knew I had to make things right so I returned to the States. I wasn’t prepared for my heart to ache and fill with such anguish as I learned what Grace endured because of me. I nearly destroyed her. How could I have been such a selfish prick? I knew I had to figure out a way to be a better man for her.
I decided to stay in England to finish up my contract. Seeing Grace turned my life around, and I'm so happy we were able to talk. For the first time in my life, I’m putting her needs above mine. When she flew back to England with me, I was completely honest with her. I told her I never stopped loving her and that she’d always be the love of my life. But because I loved her so much, I knew I had to let her go. She belonged to Tony; she was committed to him and their son. I couldn’t interfere with that. I couldn’t destroy a young boy’s family.
I am trying to move on with my life with Maxine. We agreed to take our relationship to the next level. I do care about her, but I know I’ll never love her like I do Grace. To say I’m shocked to receive an invitation to Grace and Tony’s vow renewal is an understatement. Why in the world would I be invited to that? Is Grace playing a game with me, or does Tony want to rub it in? It hurts, I won’t deny it. To make matters even more complicated, Grace just sent me a text with a picture of a pregnancy test. Could the baby be mine? This would really complicate things for everyone. Why didn't I just keep my promise to Grace all those years ago? SHIT!
What are we going to do?
Table of Contents
Dedication
Grace
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Acknowledgments
About Pamela
Sneak Peek: The Protector, Tony’s Story
Sneak Peek: The Risk, Scott’s Story
Runaway Love Page 9