Page 58 of Riding the Line (Willow Ridge #2)

‘I’m assuming the lack of a black eye on either of you guys means you’ve worked everything out?’ Rory jokes when Wyatt and I filter into Cherry’s bedroom once we arrive at the Hensleys’ house. She’s sitting on the bed, snuggled up to Cherry, a laptop resting on her legs.

But I don’t get a second to respond because right then, when my eyes land on Cherry properly, exhaustion shadowing under her eyes, everything in the room disappears as my senses tunnel in on only her.

My beacon of light in the storm. Cherry straightens up in bed, eyes flicking over me, over the sling that my arm is wrapped up in.

Guilt strikes me knowing she’s concerned about me when she’s the one who’s only just been moved from a hospital bed.

Still, after her assessment clearly determines I’m okay, she returns those beautiful deep brown eyes to my face, gaze entwining with mine as mirth soaks up her expression, the brightest of grins springing free. And my world finally feels like it can start spinning again, now I’m back with her.

‘Yeah, we’re good,’ Wyatt says, giving me a pat on my uninjured shoulder.

Then, he dips his head and clears his throat, bringing his gaze back up to find Cherry.

‘Look, I won’t lie – this is gonna take some time for me to get used to.

You two being together and all that. But you’re also two of my favourite people in the world, and hell, I guess in a way that’s kinda cool – two of my favourite people, always together. ’

‘We can double date!’ Rory squeals, clapping.

‘Yeah, okay, princess.’ He perks a brow at Rory and rolls his eyes, but a smile still dances on his lips.

‘Anyway, I guess what I want to say is that I trust you both. I really do, Cherry, and I’m sorry if the family hasn’t made you feel that way.

All I want is for you to be happy, and …

well, I get the feeling Duke does exactly that for you.

He’s got a lot of love to give, and you deserve that.

’ He flashes me a kind look. ‘You both do.’

‘Thank you, Wyatt,’ Cherry replies, mirroring his gentle expression. She pins her shoulders back further, bolstered. ‘It means a lot, really.’

‘I think, um, maybe we should give you guys some privacy. To talk.’ Wyatt cocks his head, and Rory quickly jumps off the bed, rushing over to him.

‘We can finish playing The Sims tomorrow,’ she tells Cherry, before she gives my good arm a quick squeeze and heads out the door with Wyatt, leaving me all alone with Cherry.

Where I belong.

‘Hey, you,’ she croaks out, silver already rimming her eyes.

‘Hey, Baby Hensley,’ I say back, pressing my lips into a smile, trying to hide how wobbly it is. ‘May I?’ I ask, gesturing to the bed.

Cherry nods, shuffling slightly over to make room for me. I place myself beside her legs, letting my hand fall to them, where I can rub reassuring circles against her thigh. She doesn’t even blink at the contact – if anything, she relaxes further into the pillows behind her.

She reaches for me, fingers pulsing against my arm. My weary, aching bones calm at the sensation of just being close to her. Brow furrowed, she asks, ‘Are you okay? I’ve been so worried about you.’

‘Cherry, I’m fine. It’s you who anyone should be worrying about. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up. They wouldn’t let me in, and then Wyatt was angry, and I just thought I’d be better going home until you were ready—’

‘Duke, stop.’ Her brows pull together as a glossiness lingers in her gaze. ‘I’m fine, just a bit tired and achy, but that’s it. I just know you’re beating yourself up right now about what happened, but it wasn’t your fault.’

‘You had two seizures, Cherry. That wouldn’t have happened had I never let you ride my bike.’

She unexpectedly laughs, the sound all silver bells and glorious.

‘Maybe you’re right. But then maybe I would’ve had a seizure another time.

Maybe I’d forget to take my meds one morning, or drink a little too much alcohol, or get too tired from my period, or do nothing at all and one would still happen sooner or later.

That’s just life for me, I’m afraid. And you’re just going to have to accept that.

My life isn’t your responsibility, it’s mine .

’ Wyatt was right, confidence shines off her like sunbeams. Even in her old pyjamas, she’s so bold and beautiful.

‘All I need from you is to stay by my side, to stand up for me, just like you did yesterday.’

Gently, I take her hands, trying not to wince too much at the bandages covering them.

‘Always, Cherry. I promise you. I was so afraid that I’d lost you for good.

That this was the world’s way of punishing me for crossing that line with you.

By hurting you.’ The last words come out strangled, tears surging into my eyes and threatening to fall – a foreign sensation given how I usually strive to lock my emotions away.

But no more – for her. For me. ‘All I’ve ever wanted is to be one of the reasons that you smile.

Even if I was just there on the sidelines, a brief moment of happiness you might easily forget. ’

‘It’s okay. I’m still here,’ she whispers to me, leaning forward to press her forehead against mine, giving me the solace that is feeling her warm skin on mine.

‘I told Wyatt everything,’ I admit, keeping my gaze entwined with hers.

Just staring so deeply into those eyes I would sell my soul to wake up to every goddamn day.

‘About how much I love you, how long I’ve loved you.

I even told him how I afraid I was of losing him.

I’m done hiding behind these walls I’ve built.

I’m ready to bare the deepest depths of my soul, no matter how dark and fear-ridden, if it means I get the privilege of loving you even for one more second. ’

Cherry cups my jaw, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

Despite the gentleness, there’s a raging sea of emotions behind the brush of her mouth, unspoken promises waving through me.

She whispers against my lips, ‘You’ve got me for far longer than that, believe me.

I’ve waited years for you, Duke Bennett.

Do you really think I’d give up that easily? ’

I kiss her back, this time with more fervour – with the kind of unrelenting need that I’d been holding back all these years.

There’s a strange rush that comes from being completely honest with your feelings.

Hunger overtakes us, Cherry’s hands clawing back the bedsheets to free herself as I drag her towards me with my good arm.

Her thighs land either side of mine, soft body moulding against me as her tongue dances with mine.

As our kisses seal every promise I’ve ever made to her.

All the ones I plan to make to her in the future too.

‘I love you so much,’ I mumble between kisses.

‘I love you so much too,’ she responds.

I give her a lazy grin when I break away. ‘I hope you’re ready for countless Sundays playing dirty Scrabble with my grandmother.’

Cherry giggles, the sound a fucking melody I could listen to on repeat. ‘I can’t wait.’ She mirrors my grin, but her eyelids flutter as she slumps in my grip. ‘Lie with me for a bit, will you?’

I nod, twisting us on the bed so we can lie out and I can tuck her into my arms, blissfully unaware of the pain in my shoulder now my body is so overcome with love.

Cherry settles her head against me, a hand covering my chest, above where my heart can’t help but trip over itself for her.

I press one more kiss to her head, stroking my fingers through her silky hair, as I admit, ‘I’ve got you, Baby Hensley. ’