46. Kye

FORTY-SIX

KYE

By the time we made it into Ransom and Quinn's place, Bailey was already passed out as I laid her on their couch. They only smiled, more than happy to have them over for the night.

Before Daisy could say anything, I was already heading out the door. I heard every word from her dad. I didn't realize she was risking anything for just talking to me, but apparently, this wasn't a new threat from him.

And Mark. Her fucking boyfriend who, instead of taking care of her and Bailey, wanted to blame me for breaking into her house. Who didn't even ask if they were okay, but instead wanted to hit me.

It didn't matter if I had grown up. I was still happy to fight, but there wasn't a chance I was going to do it in front of Bailey.

"Can you guys watch her?" Daisy asked as I pulled open the door. I gritted my teeth, already knowing she was coming after me, and already knowing I couldn't handle it.

The door shut behind us, and I kept stomping up the stairs with no intention of stopping.

"Kye?"

One word and I immediately turned, ready to do whatever she wanted.

"What?"

She looked up at me, her hazel eyes wide. Her blonde hair was up in a messy bun that was falling to the side now.

My chest tightened, every part of my heart shattering.

"I was wondering if I could come up and stay with you tonight," she said, the uncertainty in her tone only breaking me more. I really couldn't do this. I couldn't keep turning down the only person I wanted.

"Why?"

"Because I…need you?"

"Need me or need to not be alone? Why didn't you go with Mark? The man you're dating . The guy that is so much better than I am, and won't threaten your damn child being in your life. You've been with him the entire time I've been here, Daze. Don't ask to come to my fucking bed when you are with him."

The softness of her face turned until she was frowning, eyebrows furrowed.

"You left me , Kye. Did you think I should drop my entire life the moment you came back? The night you left killed me. I laid in bed for weeks. It took me months to realize you really weren't coming back. Should I have seen you step back into town and just assume you had any feelings? Should I even assume that now? Maybe you are just looking to sleep together to get you through another six years."

"That's bullshit. I would never just want you for sex and you know it. Every part of me died that night. I wanted to die that night," I said. "Do you somehow think it was easier for me?"

"You're the one who left! I was here. I never left. You did! Maybe it was easier."

I could only shake my head, already knowing where this was heading. I would never be what Daisy needed. It didn't matter how much I wanted to be, there would always be something, or someone, standing in our way.

"I left because I had to. Because your life was going to be fucked if I stayed. Please give me a damn break. What your dad says proves it. I will never be what you need. I am not the perfect one. I am not the guy that is always charming and safe and comfortable. Please, just go to Mark and stop with this, with us, because what I have to offer you is never going to be enough. Not for you, for your dad, for your life. I could cut my heart out and give it to you, and somehow everyone would think I'm trouble because I got blood on the floor. I could love you a thousand times better than anyone in this entire fucking world, but it's not the right kind of love apparently," I said, each word lifting the stress and fear off my chest. "And please, give me a fucking break. You know, Daisy. You fucking know I'm still in love with you and you are killing me. " I took a ragged breath, trying to stop myself from getting more enraged. "I will not take anything else away from you. I thought it could be better this time, but I heard everything your dad said. I know what he's threatening this time, and you can't lose Bailey because of me. I'll die, Daisy. I would fucking die. Please don't ask me to come to my bed because I cannot say no again."

Cutting out my heart really would feel better because at least I would know the pain wouldn't last for more than a few minutes, not the rest of my life. I wanted Daisy. I wanted Bailey. I wanted to give them everything, but there would always be someone taking something from her if she chose me, and there was nothing in the world I could give her to make up for that.

I spun back, heading up the next flight of steps. I made it to my apartment door when I heard her footsteps behind me.

"Kye, no, wait," she said, grabbing my hand. "You aren't going to give me a chance to say anything?"

"I've waited, Daze. I have waited six fucking years and it's still not enough. I have been here for weeks now and you haven't said a thing."

"I've wanted to, but I didn't know what to say. You left. For all I knew, it was because you didn't love me anymore. I didn't know until recently the real reason. And you know what, I did try to talk to you. Earlier tonight, I asked to talk, and you blew me off. So you know what, you lied," she said, a tight smile breaking across her face.

"I've never lied to you."

"But you did. You said that if I broke up with Mark, you would run to my bed like a good mutt. Yet here we are."

She reached up, her arms sliding around my neck as she pulled me down closer to her. Nothing soothed me more than her touching me, and I really couldn't deny her any longer.

I ran a finger over her lips and up her jaw. "It's hard to think when you are touching me."

"Then don't think, and kiss me."

"I can't."

Her lips met mine, and I gave up fighting it. There was nothing I could do except fall victim to her and her kiss. The warmth that spread over me still never happened with anyone else, the wanting in the pit of my stomach, the need to have her wrapped around me. It was all there, even stronger than before.

She pulled back, taking a breath and leaning her forehead against mine.

"My dad and Mark are mad because I broke up with Mark earlier. And while I didn't say it exactly, everyone knows it's because of you. I'm sure the rumors range from I'm already pregnant with your kid to I'm running away with you this time. My dad is saying nasty things because of all that. I won't let him take Bailey, but I also don't want to let him take you again. I want everything you've offered of yourself, every single imperfect and perfect part. There was never anything wrong with you, it was always me. I have always been the problem. I have never stood up to people for what I want. I do what they want so I look good in their eyes. But I should have protected you, protected us, back then, and I didn't, but that won't happen again."

"You broke up with him?"

Her lips turned up, and she nodded. "Yeah, earlier today."

"And it was because you want me?"

"Yes," she said, her smile widening.

That was all the permission I needed. I leaned down, grabbing her thighs and lifting her up.

"I hope you're prepared for six years of endless need to be let loose on you because I don't think I have an ounce of control left in me."

"Good," she said, wrapping a hand around my throat as I carried her inside. "Show me exactly how much you have missed me."