Page 80

“Ethan.” My name rolls off her tongue in that uncanny way that’s both pleading and adoring.
I swear, if she pleads with me to let her put herself and our child in danger, I’ll snap.
“Don’t do it, Aurora.”
“We have time to discuss this. Jackson’s next game isn’t for weeks.”
“There is nothing to discuss.” I spin on her and wave my hands. “Nothing.”
“Can we at least talk aboutusbefore you leave?”
She’s innocent and young, standing in front of me in an oversized T-shirt and tall socks, her hair bedroom messy. A part of me wants to lift her into my arms and carry her back to bed.
Another part of me, the one that’s winning, is scared shitless. “Us? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“Usright now doesn’t feel likeusyesterday.” She twists the hem of her shirt, her head lowered. “Yesterday, you were in this relationship. Today, it feels as though you’re running. I won’t even see you for weeks.”
That hits a sore spot. I have a tendency to run. From feelings. From emotions. From getting my heart trampled on.
She’d do anything for Jax, including defy me.
I want her, but I have to know I can trust her.
I need to be in control.
“Relationship? You have no concept of what it means to be in a stable relationship.”Especially one with me.
She flinches, as though my words have dealt a physical blow, yet she swiftly regains composure, straightening her posture and squaring her shoulders.
“And you do?” She gives a cynical chuckle. “Because you weremarried? I’m sorry, but I’ll choose this,” she gestures in front of her, indicating our chaotic trio, “over yourmarriageany day.”
She spits out the wordmarriageas if it’s a joke, only adding fuel to my anger.
“You have no idea what it’s like being married, what type of commitment it takes.”
“Commitment?” she echoes mockingly. “Okay, Ethan.” She nods in defeat, and her eyes turn glassy.
A sense of foreboding hits me in the chest, but I’m too much of a prideful asshole to admit she’s right and fix this.
“I’vebledfor that man.” She thrusts a pointed finger toward the door—toward Jax. “I’ve had my heart shattered and stomped on. I’ve spent sleepless nights worried about where he was, days wondering why I wasn’t good enough. I’ve been through drunken rages and frightening hangovers.” Tears cling to her lashes, and she sucks in a shuddering breath. “That’scommitment.” Her lips tremble. “It’s not a ring or a piece of paper.” Her tears spill over. “It’s breaking yourself to putthemback together, and you have no fucking clue what that’s like.”
She turns away, and I’m frozen in utter shock and stupidity.
When she reaches the door, she pauses and glances over her shoulder. “You’re right about one thing. I’ve never had anything stable. But if stable looks anything like your marriage, thenfuck stable. If that’s what you want, then fuck you too.”
If it were anyone else she was berating, I’d be so proud of her.
Am I resentful of everything she went through and continues to go through for Jax? Undoubtedly. Am I going to allow her to walk away from me? Nope.
In two steps, I’m in front of her, and she’s backed against the door.
I grab her chin and force her gaze to mine. “If you defy me and meet with Kyle, I’ll handcuff you to me. You won’t leave my sight. When this is all said and done, we’ll discussus.”
She twists her reddened face from my grasp and leaves the room without another word.
I stand there, dumbfounded. I know why I’m angry—I don’t want her risking herself. I’ll lose my fucking mind if something were to happen to her or the baby.
She’s mad and hurt, and rightfully so. I flung my marriage in her face, and she caught it and threw it back at me ten times harder. That’s what Aurora does. She hands me my ass tied in a pretty little pink bow with a note that says,Nice try, asshole.