The Fate of Our Hearts

Chapter 42 - Stronger

Ren

As I stumble around the back of his house, I hear him curse and the sound of something smashing in his room, but I keep going. I run out into the pouring rain, through the gate, and over to my car. I get in, slam the door, and let myself go.

Alexis? 

Fuck Gio.

Why?

My emotions, which were already near pinnacle levels, spin out of control. The ugly sound of my own sobbing makes me recoil against myself as my tears rain down, and I choke on my breath. I stay in my car for who knows how long before I calm down enough to think straight. Slowly, my brain fog clears as my heart rate comes down, and the sick feeling dissipates.

As much as it hurts to hear he had kissed Alexis, or Alexis had kissed him, or whatever else happened between them—the words 'never see me again' stung so much more. They echoed over and over in my head.

But I do want to see him again! So much!

Both Alexis and Ryder are driving a wedge between us. This whole mess is from them! 

Jace kissed me because of Alexis. Alexis shouldn't be flirting and leading Colin on, making Jace miserable. And when Alexis kissed Gio, both of them thought I had cheated with Jace!

Fuck Ryder! fuck all of it! It's just not fucking fair!

The anger bubbles back up inside me. I was a coward and hid away from my problems before, but not anymore! Slamming my car's door again, I stomp my way back towards his room. 

I find him slumped in the corner by his bed, holding part of a broken lamp, silently crying. Kneeling before him, I gently take the lamp from his grip and hold his hand in mine—he finally lets me. I tilt his head up to look deeply into his achingly beautiful, bloodshot eyes.

"Gio, look. I love you." I emphasize. "And all this shit," I wave in the air with my hand, "is not our fault. It's crazy high school drama, and I hate it. I forgive you for whatever happened with Alexis because I believe this is what matters," I say, touching his heart. "The other night, you said you loved me, but during sex...." I search his eyes, both of ours damp with emotion. "Do you? Love me?"

He blinks at me in utter disbelief.

"If you love me," I continue. "Then all this... crap? It doesn't matter to me if it doesn't matter to you. We can show them we're stronger than Ryder's bullshit."

He nods, wiping his tear-streaked cheeks with his sleeve while new ones well back up in his eyes. His brow furrows, "How can you possibly be so fucking cool and understanding?"

Then, his expression grows earnest. "Course I do. It feels like I've been telling you for weeks, and you've never said anything. I've been doubting this whole time that you loved me back."

The sun breaks through a small hole in the clouds, and the room brightens. I suddenly realize that my own insecurity, guarding myself, and withholding those words from him actually created the perfect bed for the seeds of doubt Ryder planted to take root.

My eyes brim with tears, and my heart close to bursting, "I'm so sorry. I've loved you for weeks now, too, but I was so scared to say it out loud. I love you, Giovanni. No one but you."

He closed his eyes, breathing that in, then opened them again, his face serious, voice low and deep, "I love you, Lauren, more than anyone else in the world."

Woosh.

A huge wash of relief passes over me, tears now escaping both our eyes. We kissed tenderly, sweet and pure. He pulls me into his arms, and we hug tightly for a while—like we'll never let each other go.