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It was lists of nauys I knew in Thatch Guys I worked with at Mama’s Guys that I knew for sure had come into Mama’s the days the notebook had been passed back and forth between Stranger and er

Nearly all of them were crossed out Deacon’s included

Graha it

On the very top of the page was a note in a messy scrawl I had memorized, and kneell as my own A note that hadn’t been there before

WordsI told you I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to walk away from you Turns out I was only able to after you broke my heart and I tore out the pieces to leave with you Hardest fucking thing I’ve ever done Second hardest was staying away

A shiver moved slowly down my spine when I heard my bedroom door softly click shut, but I didn’t take my eyes off the note when I felt him move toward er," I whispered

"Third hardest," he began in a low, ru able to stophim for the first time in four weeks--"

My chest hitched with a silent sob One of ainst the bed to help

"--and realizing that I et the chance to tell you that I love you"

Deacon’s large hands slid around limpse of him after all this time made me want to cruize and a dozen other things

"I couldn’t figure out why it felt impossible to walk away from those conversations But it’s because it was you Always you, Charlie Only you"

All I ave out, and he pulled me into his arms, his ainst the kiss, and pressed against his chest

He pulled back just enough to look into ht brown ones as they bounced back and forth, taking in mine "Don’t say that"

"Hoe trust each other after this? Hoe get past this?"

"One day at a time," he said with all the confidence in the world "We both fucked up by not walking away froht I walked away, I know" He pressed his forehead against ive me your heart?"

The tremor in his voice, as if he was afraid of what my ansould be, ret it?"

I stared into his eyes for long moments, then slowly shook my head No matter how much I wanted to, I couldn’t "You caused so much chaos in my shattered heart for years, and I always shied away from it, and then hated you for it when I ether so I could give it to you It was always meant to be yours"