Page 24 of Chasing Me (Beyond Me #2)

JAMES

I’d lost her.

How long had I stayed in my apartment, waiting for some miracle? Waiting for her to come back to me, declare her love, and tell me she wanted to start over?

I realized again I’d made her my world, and then destroyed her. I had no friends, no family, and no career. Sinking into the depths of depression, I heard Brian’s words in my head, over and over.

You’re going to break her heart.

And I had. But as the clock ticked, I came to another surprising truth, and an odd strength began to unfurl deep in my gut.

Quinn loved me, but I needed to get my shit together.

Quinn thought I was deserving and talented, so I needed to believe in myself, too.

I thought over my choices. About how much I loved art, and how Ava had screwed me up, and what I could do about it.

About my wrong choices, and how I needed to make a stand to show Quinn I was the man she needed me to be.

Yeah, it was gonna be messy, but at least I’d be telling the truth and trying to move forward.

It really wasn’t about Brian at all. Or even Ava. It was about my own insecurities, and confusion, and crap. It was about believing and trusting in Quinn and her love for me.

Time to deal with it.

I made the call. Got a meeting with the Dean for 2:00 p.m. I gathered up all my work since the year had started then headed into The Brush Institute.

First, I’d take care of business.

Then I’d go after her.