Tia I spent the night crying into Coleâs chest as he gently soothed me like a child. I canât remember the last time that happened, a man being there for me. Thatâs a lie, I do remember. Yet he destroyed me.
I suck in a breath at the pain that memory still causes.
I wish I knew then what I know now: How on that very morning of him leaving me it would be the last time Iâd ever see him again. How all the whispered promises would be broken, shattered to a million pieces, destroyed by not only his actions but those he left me with.
I know now that when he walked out that door with trepidation in his eyes, he left knowing the trauma I was going to face time and time again, and the words of love and promises he made to me when he fucked me into the mattress with his condom-covered dick was just another of the multiple lies he told me.
I know that for years Iâve refused to let anyone get close to me with fear of not being able to trust in anyoneâââto confide in themâââwas all due to the barriers I created because of him. I also know that without the hurt of that boy I thought I loved, Iâd have never been on the path that Iâm on right now.
Iâd never have found the love, comfort, and protectiveness I find when I stare into the eyes of Cole Maguire.
Jace Matthews may have shattered my heart, but Cole Maguire has rebuilt it.