You, Always

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Put An 'M' On 'End', It Gives You Mend

I bring my knees up to my chest and look up at him. "You can't be shocked that I haven't spoken to you, you lied to me and used me." My voice breaks, truly portraying how heartbroken I still am.

"I didn't use you, I swear. Almost straight after I said to the guys about it, I knew that wasn't why I was making an effort with you. I knew it was because I knew you'd grow to be one of the most important people in my life and I wasn't ready to admit that to myself. It scared the shit out of me.

"Just like you said in the letter... I've never felt anything like this before. It still scares me, now more than ever, because now I have to deal with losing you as well." He searches my face and I stand. He does the same and we're now facing each other better than before.

So he did read the letter...

"You hurt me," A tear rolls down my cheek. "You hurt me a lot." My voice breaks once again and the pain, the aching pain in my chest, returns stronger than ever.

He reaches forward and cups my cheek. I do what I know I shouldn't, I lean into his touch. But it's what I crave. Him. His hand against my skin.

"I know baby, I know. And I'm so sorry about that." He wipes the tears off my face and I look at him once again. Fuck... His eyes are beautiful.

"I hurt you and I know that. I hate myself every second of the day because of it. Maybe if I just came clean sooner you would know my feelings towards you are all truth and only the truth." His words are just what I want to hear but what he says next almost makes me stumble.

"I love you, Princess. I couldn't see myself loving anyone else but you. It's you. You, always." My eyes go wide and I almost ask him to repeat it.

He loves me?

"I knew I was in love with you ages ago I just didn't know how to tell you. I didn't want you to think we were moving to fast and I lose you. But it happened anyway."

You could never lose me, Cole Jones.

I want him to kiss me so badly right now.

"I loved you weeks ago but I didn't know how to tell you either," I admit.

He looks shattered. "Loved... As in past tense?" He moves his hand away and runs both of them down his face. "Fuck I really did mess it up between us didn't I?" I know the question is rhetorical but it doesn't stop me from grabbing his hands and pulling them away from his face.

"Let me rephrase that: I knew I was in love with you months ago. I still love you now. Believe me, I've tried not to but I can't shake you no matter how hard I try." I look down and he tilts my face up to look at him and I wait for him to speak but he doesn't.

In fact, he does the opposite.

He crashes his lips onto mine and it doesn't take long for me to move closer to him. I pull away shortly after and the kiss was short but sweet. I rest my forehead on his to mumble three words against his lips.

"I love you." He grins and lifts me off the ground slightly.

"I really like the sound of that," He jokes. "Say it again." I peck his lips and I do.

"I love you." His wide smile is the glue that puts my heart back together again. Not cracks, no wonky pieces, just good as new.

"I love you too." He kisses my temple. "I read your letter. So many times that I've lost count." He admits shyly and I smile before lifting his arms slightly to look at the watch. I've never seen Cole look so timid, he's usually full of confidence.

It's only then that I notice that the clouds outside have gotten darker and as much as I'm loving this moment, it's time to leave. "There's no electric so I think we should leave soon. It's going to get dark." He nods.

"Okay, are you finished here or are you coming back tomorrow?" I shake my head.

"No, I don't think I'm going to come back for a while. I've got everything I want to keep and the things I'm going to give away." He grabs two boxes, putting one on top of the other, and I grab one myself and we walk to our cars.

We head back in and Cole picks up the last box while I pick up the box that holds the photo album and letter. I make sure to put her perfume in the box as well and with every step, I take down the stairs, I feel a weight being lifted off my shoulders.

"You ready to go?" He turns back to me and I nod but I remember something.

"Wait!" I turn back and jog down the hall to pick up the framed picture of the drawers. I smile and look back up at him, nodding. "I'm ready now."

Cole walks out and I lock up behind us. I follow him as he pulls onto the road and as we turn off the street I know I'm right.

I am ready now.

I can do this. Even though I can't see her, I can do it with my mum still here and the letter clarified that for me. But I finally feel happier.

Content and finally...

Most importantly...

I no longer feel lost.

>>>>>>
AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I'm literally falling asleep omg but I had to finish the chapter😴 But Cole and Andie are finally back together🥺

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