Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 80261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
I blew out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding in. The relief I felt was much needed.
“Before I go, I need to ask your permission on something…”
Haven
I threw my books on the kitchen counter and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. Moments later, my brothers walked in.
I rolled my eyes as soon as I saw them, heading in the opposite direction.
“Wait a second,” Jace demanded.
“Ugh.” I turned to face him. “What now? Do you not like my outfit? Or is this water not healthy enough for you?”
Ledger ordered, “Enough with the snide. You’re going to want to hear what he has to say.”
“Fine.”
“After thinking about everything that’s happened, we’ve come to the conclusion that if Hayes makes you happy then it’s good enough for us.”
I jerked back. “Are you drunk?”
“I’m serious. We want you to be happy and we hate what our relationship with you has become. You’re more important to us then what we think of the man you should be with.”
I shook my head. “Why the change of heart?”
“Shit happens, Teeny. We all know what it feels like to lose one of the most important people in our lives. We’re never going to get over the loss of our mother, but we know Hayes wasn’t responsible for the accident. It was just tragic day.”
I peered at all of them.
“I don’t understand, but I’ll take it. Did Hayes reach out to you or something?”
Reid implied, “Or something.”
With wide eyes, I replied, “You have no idea how much this means to me. I don’t know what else to say. I’m in shock.”
Jace pulled me into a hug.
“You can start with I love you.”
I wasn’t sure what occurred that morning. All I knew was I finally going to get what I wanted.
Chase Hayes.
Forty-One
Haven
“Welcome graduates, colleagues, family, and friends. Congratulations to everyone moving forward with their lives today,” the principal of our school announced through his microphone, standing front and center on the stage before all of us. “I’d like to begin by thanking all of the families and friends in the audience this morning. I know how proud you must be of your sons or daughters stepping into the next chapter of their lives. I, myself, have a son who will be graduating next year, and the sense of pride I feel for him, words can’t describe.”
I couldn’t believe the day was finally here. After four years of studying, graduating with a 3.8 GPA made it all worthwhile. I got accepted into every college I applied to, and I filled out more than twelve different applications.
So many “Congratulations, you’ve been accepted” letters but I couldn’t commit to any of them. I didn’t know where I stood with Hayes and despite my brothers being on board, I couldn’t bring myself to reach out to him.
For our entire relationship it was me fighting for him and I couldn’t do it again. If it was going to work between us, I needed him to do the same for me.
I swear I blinked, and my name was being called onto the stage, I smiled making my way up there. After I shook everyone’s hands, I gazed out at the audience looking for my family. When all of a sudden, my stare locked with the one man I hadn’t expected.
Hayes was proudly sitting by my father with roses in his arms. It took everything inside of me not to run to him. I stood there in a state of disbelief for what felt like forever before I stepped down and walked back to my seat. For the rest of the ceremony, I was on edge.
Did I imagine him?
As soon as we threw our caps in the air, I caught it and hauled ass over to them. Except, I didn’t make it there.
Hayes met me halfway.
I ran into his arms. I don’t think I’d ever run as fast as I did. He immediately lifted me in the air. It felt like coming home. I was beyond grateful to have him there with me. Words couldn’t describe what I was feeling. It was everything I ever wanted.
Once he put me back down onto the ground, I kissed him as if my life depended on it and he returned each and other push and pull.
He was the first to pull away, revealing, “God, I fucking missed you.”
“Me too! I can’t believe you’re here.
The sincere expression on his face captivated me in the same way it always had. Placing his hands on the sides of my face, he brought me closer to him.
“I can’t lose you again. I won’t. I love you, Haven.”
My chest rose and fell with each word he said, taking him.
His scent.
His body.
His stare.
His mouth.
His heart.
“I love you too.”
“Come home with me.”
I didn’t have to be told twice. After we went to lunch with my family and Cove. Which was as surreal as it sounded, I jumped on the back of his Harley. Even though I was nice wearing a dress, I didn’t care.