Page 88 of Break the Barrier

I feel a lump forming in my throat at the thought of Lue listening to me so carefully, of her following what I said, even now.

“I remember thinking, if I ever settled down with anyone, you would be the one.”

I eye him doubtfully. “Really?”

His thumb rubs over my cheek. “I have loved you for years, Thea. I can’t tell you what the future will bring, but I do know that the love I feel for you will never bend. Ever.”

31

logan

Hopping out of my truck,I run my hand through my hair and put my hat back on, checking in the side mirror for any stray hairs.

It’s opening night for Lue’s play, and I was picking up Thea now.

The last time I saw Thea, she and I had admitted our true feelings for each other. Other than a couple of phone calls and some texts, we haven’t had a single moment alone.

I knew that she was at the school a few hours ago, helping Lue with her hair and makeup for the play. The thought that she went out of her way again to take care of something important to my daughter makes my chest ache with happiness. It wasn’t hard for anyone to see that Thea loved her.

I head up her stairs, taking a breath on the landing before her door before I knock on it. I hear some shuffling on the other side of the door and smile at the curse I hear.

Swinging the door open, she smiles broadly at me, and Ican’t hold myself back. Stepping into her space, I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her to me, tipping my head just so to avoid hitting her with my hat and taking her lips with my own.

I barely hold back a moan at the feel of her soft lips under mine. Her hands raise to my shoulders, and I feel her fingers go to their favorite spot, curling into my hair at the nape of my neck.

I’ll never be allowed to get my hair buzzed.

After a moment, we part, and she spins before I’ve fully taken her in, rushing back toward her bedroom.

“I’m almost ready! Make yourself at home. There’s that beer you like in the fridge,” she calls behind her, making me smile.

I’ve only been to her place a handful of times, we usually convene at mine, but I take the few precious minutes I have alone to snoop.

Unfortunately, she’s a sparse decorator, with no pictures on the walls or even small frames on her coffee table. Which I was told Ophelia bought for her while she was staying here.

I was bummed to hear that her sister left, it was much more comforting to know that Thea wasn’t here alone. The thought of that asshole taking advantage of that made me see red.

I head back toward the door, noting her mail there on a small table along with her keys. I’m about to call out to her when a letter catches my eye. My body tenses as I see the return address is the prison where her ex is.

It’s already open, and I know I shouldn’t do it, but I snatch it up and open the letter before my conscience can stop me.

I read through it quickly—it’s pretty straightforward.

I’m still looking it over when Thea and all her gorgeous self enters the room. She pauses, giving me a happy twirl.

I allow myself to look her over and grin at her. “Absolutely beautiful.”

She walks toward me then, her eyes snagging on the letter, and her smile immediately drops. Slowly, she takes it from me.

“He’s going to get it.”

“Why do you say that?” I ask, referencing the letter that says her ex is up for parole.

“Gut feeling, mostly.” She shrugs, slapping the letter back onto the table. There’s no anger in her words, more like dejection. “Not enough sustainable evidence, his lawyer found proof of tampering. They’re manipulating it somehow.”

“They can’t just let him out.”

“No.” She shakes her head, her hair falling over her shoulders. “But I know his people. I know what lengths they’ll take for one of their own.”