Shit, this was going to be bad.
“It isn’t? Then what is it? Because from my understanding, you said that you weren’t sure you were okay with not having kids.”
“Okay, I did say that, but baby—”
“You told me I was enough!” she cried. “You said that you didn’t need a child of your own, that we could adopt if it came to that! Was it all a lie?”
“No, Audrey, please, listen to me—”
“You promised!” she screamed. “You made me believe that we were good, that you were the person for me and that this could be forever! You knew how I felt about it, how I hid it from you, how I didn’t even want to tell anyone, and you told everyone!”
“I know, and I’m sorry, baby, I had no one to talk to about it but my friends—”
“You could have talked to me about it! I’m the person it deals with! I’m the problem, Tate!”
He shook his head, coming around the counter. She stepped back, but he took hold of her wrist, bringing her to him. “No, you are not a problem, you are my everything. You are right, I should have come and talked to you, but I freaked, baby. I promise you are enough. You are more than enough.”
“Then why, Tate? I told you from the beginning I couldn’t give you everything you wanted, and now after my heart is totally invested in you, after … after …” She stuttered, then looked up at him, her wide, beautiful eyes pooling with tears. It was gut-wrenching because he had caused those tears. His throat felt like it was closing, and his eyes itched with tears of his own. “After I fell in love with you, Tate, you do this to me?” she finished, putting the last nail in his coffin.
She loved him.
Taking in a sharp breath, he wrapped his arms around Audrey, holding her tight even though she tried to get away. “Look at me, baby, please,” he said, trying to hold on as she bucked against him. “Stop for just a second!” he yelled.
She finally stopped. Looking up at him as the tears poured from her eyes, she said, “Let me go,” through tight lips.
“No, not until you listen to me,” he replied, squeezing his arms around her.
“What is there to listen to, Tate?”
“A lot, actually,” he said, leaning his head against hers. “You are completely right. I should have come to you first, told you what I was feeling, but I freaked, love. I wanted to talk to someone, and the guys were there. I shouldn’t have, I know, but I didn’t want to hurt you, even though I obviously did anyway. But I never meant to. I was confused, and scared, because these feelings I have for you are so strong, baby. My heart is just as invested as yours, if not more.”
“If your heart was invested then you wouldn’t be second-guessing us, Tate. Fuck it, just go, I’m giving you the out. Take it,” she said through tears that were like spears going into his heart.
“No way, I’m not going anywhere, love, nowhere.”
“Go find someone who can give you everything you want!” she screamed, trying to get away.
“No! Now stop!” Tate yelled, getting her attention. She took in a shuddering breath, her plump lips quivering as she looked up at him. “Listen to me: I am sorry, so very sorry. I never meant for this to happen. I promise, if I have an issue or a concern I am coming right to you. You are the one I want, I don’t want anyone else. Only you.”