Page 153 of Only With Me

Peacefully in his sleep, he passes with his wife and two daughters telling him they love him and that they’ll see him again someday soon.

Chapter Thirty-One

Harlow

Dad’s funeral was beautiful. Sad and tragic, but still beautiful to witness the hundreds of people from our community come pay their respects.

Although he was cremated, we had a lovely memorial to honor him. Delilah and I spoke about what a fighter he was, and how despite his challenges, he always put his family first.

Mom tried to read a poem about true love, but choked up to the point she couldn’t finish, so Waylon stood up and finished reading it for her.

I wouldn’t have been able to get through these past couple weeks without him.

Although my body is still recovering, I’m doing my best to take it slow and rest. Mom barely lets me lift a finger and Waylon comes over every night so I’m not alone.

Not that I’m complaining about spending time with him, but I know he’s trying to keep my mind occupied so I don’t cry or sulk about my injuries.

Truthfully, I’ve not allowed myself to think too much about what happened that day. It was the worst week of my life, but I’m leaning on Waylon and my family as much as I can. Nowthat I’m older, I feel stronger and braver than the last time, but it still bothers me that I was tricked and assaulted again. I’ve already told them I’ll go to counseling when I feel mentally ready to handle it.

The silver lining—if you want to consider there is one—no broken legs this time. Bruised my thighs badly enough, but at the very least, I can still walk so I’m grateful for that.

I’m also grateful Emery and Kenny took a plea deal so we don’t have to spend months waiting for a trial. They’re both going to prison for a long time. And as much as I feel sorry for Jake, especially since he had no idea what his brother was into, I’ve ended all communication with him.

I’m also pissed I won’t be able to do any horse shows this season. There’s no way with my ribs and recovering from spleen surgery, so for now, Waylon checks in on Piper for me. He’ll video chat with me so I can talk to her. At the very least, I’m hoping I can lunge her in a few weeks after my doctor gives me the clear.

Once I was home from the hospital, Natalie came and stayed with me through the funeral. It was interesting introducing her to Waylon and seeing her blush over him.

I swear, Waylon could charm a nun.

Now she understood why I went on that country drive with him after she warned me only serial killers do that.

Then I had to remind her a few times he was off the market but that he had a single twin brother.

That seemed to distract her long enough to stop flirting with my boyfriend.

Boyfriend.

It still feels surreal to call him that after having such bad luck on that dating app.

Turns out, I never needed it anyway.

But it’s part of how Waylon and I started, so I’m not upset about it.

Speaking of…

We finally sat down and had the conversation about the group chat. I told him how I felt betrayed and that our relationship started on a lie.

He admitted that he screwed up and should’ve told me before things progressed between us. He vowed to never deceive me again and that he’d spend the rest of his life proving how sorry he is.

Waylon has a good heart, and I believe he had good intentions to tell me that day. So even though I didn’t make him grovel for days, I accepted his sincere apology and gave him a second chance.

We agreed to make a fresh start and let the past stay in the past. No more secrets.

Then he surprised me with a jar of hearts filled with ideas from my wishlist and some of his, and it brought me to tears. No one had ever done anything like that for me and to know Wilder and Noah helped too makes it extra sweet.

I imagine the three of them at a table forming an assembly line of painting, cutting, and writing. Some cute sibling bonding.

I keep the jar on my nightstand, and when he tells me to pick one, we go do that thing as long as it isn’t a physical activity.