Page 106 of Mr. Brightside

“That makes sense,” I relent, ducking my head but gazing up at him to gauge his reaction. I don’t miss the way his hazel eyes ignite with hope as he processes my words.

He doesn’t gloat. But he does take two tentative steps toward me, closing the space between us so we’re just a few feet apart at the foot of my childhood bed.

“I’m glad we’re in agreement,” he declares, pausing to see if I’m going to challenge him.

I’m not. Idoagree with him. I’m just embarrassed to admit to himandto myself that I overreacted.

His tone softens when he speaks again. “I’m going to do everything I can to get this right. But you have to stop lumping me into the same category as your douchebag exes. First off, I’m way hotter than any of them.” He smirks, and I roll my eyes. He’s never even seen any of my exes. But he’s not wrong. “And second, that’s not me. You know me, Cory. You know me better than anyone ever has.”

I level him with a pointed look.

“Even Rhett,” he whispers, answering my unspoken challenge.

I gulp down the magnitude of his confession. My mind is racing, my baser instincts in overdrive. Part of me wants to come up with another reason to keep him at arm’s length and double down on my plan to end things between us. Meanwhile, my traitorous heart is already doing somersaults in celebration.

He takes another step forward, then reaches out one hand. I lean in, seeking his touch.

He cups the side of my face and runs his thumb along my jaw. The way he’s looking at me—fuck. I want him to look at me like this for the rest of our lives.

“Be with me. Grow with me. Teach me how to be the best husband I can possibly be—and give me time to prove my love.” He leans into me until his forehead is resting on mine. I close my eyes and soak in the authenticity of his promises.

His lips tickle the shell of my ear when he speaks again.

“Because what I told you last time wasn’t a trick, baby. It was so much more than just words. It was the truest version of how I feel: I love you, Cory.”

Hearing him say those three words, and now understanding the gravity of what they mean, has me breathless in wonder.

“Jake…” I sigh, rubbing my forehead against his in frustration. I’m so overcome with emotion—so tempted to just give in and move forward—but there’s still this conflicted, practical voice in my head, reminding me in excruciating detail about what drove us to this point.

“It’s too much,” I whisper. “It hurt too much.”

When I open my eyes, he’s staring back at me, a tortured look on his face.

“I’m sorry I hurt you,” he starts, walking me backward until the backs of my knees hit the edge of the bed. He presses gently on my shoulders until I give in and sink onto the mattress. Once he’s settled beside me, he takes my hand and continues. “I’m so sorry about everything that happened that night. I didn’t think. I didn’t prioritize you, orus. I know I messed up, but there’s more to the story. I’m not trying to make excuses. But I want you to know what happened. Can I tell you?”

I squeeze his hand in confirmation.

“Here’s the most important thing you need to know: I was already coming home to you when Ashleigh called me in a panic. I was literally in the Jersey Bagels parking lot, turning the car around. You were—youare—my priority. I was a mess that night, though. And I let myself get sidetracked because of Fiona. Between worrying about her and facing off with my brother, then being at the hospital… I didn’t even have my phone with me most of the night. Literally every part of my brain was occupied just trying to get through it.”

He rubs his fingers over my knuckles, soothing himself as much as me.

“I’m sorry I shut down on you in Rhett’s backyard. And that I pushed you away. I’ve never been able to count on anyone. That’s not an excuse. Because that won’t happen again, I swear. I just want you to know that I was already on my way back to you. I was headed home. You’re my home, Cory. You’re where I want to be.”

I swallow down the emotions raging inside me. It’s a heady sensation, to be brimming with so many complex feelings battling for dominance in my mind.

I want him.

But he’s not good for me.

I forgive him.

But he might hurt me again.

I love him.

But is love enough?

“There’s something else I need to tell you.”