“I LOVED YOU before I even knew what love was. I loved you when you hated me. I loved you when you pushed me away. Every time you smiled for me, I realized that my sole purpose in life is making you happy.
“We had a long road between us and we still have a long way to go but I’m willing to work for it. I’m willing to keep those smiles on your face.
“I look forward to growing old with you. To have our friends by our sides. Our children, our grandchildren, everyone we love close by as we live out our days. Together.
“I love you, Maxine Stanton. And nothing is going to get in my way of showing you just how much I do, in fact, love you.”
Max’s eyes shone as tears fell down her rosy cheeks. Her smile had never been so bright as she stared up at me on our wedding day.
A year later and I was professing my love for this woman in front of our friends and family. We still had so much to work through but as each day passed, it only got easier.
Max grabbed my hands, not waiting for instructions from the priest. “I love you, Dale. I love you so damn much. You fought for me even though I pushed you away. You never gave up on my love for you. You knew how I felt before I was brave enough to admit to those feelings myself. When I hated you, you loved me. When I yelled and screamed at you, you spoke to me with gentleness in your voice. Not always, of course.” She winked. “You were patient. So damn patient, I didn’t deserve it. But I love you more for it. I understand now. After everything we have been through. I get it. I …” Her breath hitched. “I …”
Not waiting for the priest, I pulled her into my arms and crushed my mouth to hers.
I heard him say that we were now man and wife and that only made me kiss this woman harder.
Slipping my tongue between her lips, I swallowed her moan.
Cheers and hollers sounded around us followed by clapping.
I had let my love for Max be known in front of all our friends and family and now I was staking my claim.
I cupped her cheeks, pulling back a bit, and placed kisses all over her face.
She giggled, smiling up at me through unshed tears.
“I love you, kitten. So fucking much.”
Her smile grew. “And I love you.”
Wrapping my arms around her, I pushed my face into the crook of her neck and inhaled. The scent of vanilla and roses wafted into my nose.
She smelled delicious.
She was beautiful.
She was perfect.
And she was mine.
***
Many years later…
The first time I met you was when I looked into our mom’s eyes. I saw pain, anguish, and worst of all, fear. She was terrified to let you go. Scared she would forget you if she opened her heart again.
You were the first. The one who got away.
I pleaded for them to love me just the same but you took that from me.
This was what I thought even though none of it was true. I didn’t understand. I probably never will.
You have always been a part of me. That little piece that would stick with me for the rest of my life. You were a dark cloud for most of my childhood. Hovering over my head and threatening to explode into a thunderous roar if I wasn’t careful. You were the pain and heartache. The suffering my parents went through.
But I reassure you, our parents are happy now. They had a long road and travel it together hand in hand every single day. They were honest with me about everything. They brought me to see you when I was just a small girl. I knew from that moment that if you were alive, we would be friends more than sisters. You would be my best friend. A girl I could count on and trust. We would gossip, do girly things together, and drive our parents nuts.
It would have been perfect.
Without you leaving, our parents never would have found each other and I can’t help but be grateful to you.
You brought them back together again.
I no longer resent you.
I’m thankful to you.
And for that, you will always be a part of me. But I can’t come back. As much as I want to visit you again, it can’t happen.
I love you,
Your sister
Brushing my fingers over the stone, I said my goodbyes and headed down the middle of the graveyard.
A sense of calm had washed over me. I felt no regrets. No resentment. It was all taken from me the moment I finished reading my letter to my sister.
“You good?”
The deep voice pulled me from my thoughts. I smiled at my boyfriend. “Yeah,” I said, sliding onto the bike behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist.
He grabbed hold of my hand and kissed my knuckles. The scruff on his jaw scratched at my skin, sending a hot shiver racing through my body.
He winked, his deep blue eyes twinkling in the midafternoon sun. “Ready, baby?”
“I am.” I held onto him and brushed my fingers over the patch etched into his leather jacket.
Knowing we would probably never be back, a lonely tear rolled down my cheek. But this was it. I could finally move on.
I could be with this man and be free. Be us.
Thanks to her.
Continue reading for the first chapter in Rust, the final story in the King’s Harlots Series.