Storm Front (The Charistown Series) (Volume 2) by Lisa N. Paul Read Free Book Online Page A

it finally gave out. A
single tear drifted slowly down her cheek and stopped at her upper lip. Wait.
What happened? What had she just said to him?
    “Ashley, baby, I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.” His tone was
sharp but his eyes bled pain. “Is what easier for me? What are you saying?” A
jab of panic struck his gut as he saw the crumbled look marring her beautiful
face.
    Trying her best to keep her mask of perfection solidly in
place, she simply stated, “I was saying, Ryan, that maybe it would be for the
best if … well, if we broke up while you were gone.” Another traitorous tear
escaped her stormy eyes. “I don’t want to hold you back, Ry…I don’t want to
keep you from…living.” With those words, Ashley stood up from the cozy outdoor
loveseat and began to walk away.
    “Princess. Do. Not. Take. Another. Step.” Ryan unfolded
himself from the small sofa and took long strides to meet Ashley right where
she stood.
    “Look at me, Ash, look me in the eyes.” The eyes are so
often referred to as the window to the soul and while Ashley was one to keep
her window covered with the loveliest curtains around, for him, the glass was
always clear. His heart faltered in his chest as he felt—yes, actually felt—her
pain…just from looking in her eyes. The sadness overtook him, making the air
around them heavy and even harder to breathe. He could feel each pump of his
heart as he waited on the answer to his next questions. “Is that what you want?
You want to end this? End us?”
    Pulling in a deep breath, Ashley continued to stare, the
tears had slowed but her cheeks bore a well worn path from the wet pain. “Do
you want the truth, Ry?” Those words felt like a dull blade in his gut.
    “Yeah, Ash—the truth would work just fine.”
    “Ryan, the thought of you and Leo leaving for such a long
time makes me ache deep down clear through to my bones. I love you both so much
and your presence in my life brings me true happiness and joy that goes beyond
what any words can say. But, Ryan, having you in my life—as my friend,
my boyfriend, as my everything…well you touch my soul. Do I want to break up?
Heck no! I love you. I want to be with you always, forever. But I understand
that your life is about to change.”
    He watched as she rubbed the edge of her thumb deep into her
sternum, he knew the words she was giving were to benefit him. Each syllable
was cracking the veneer she worked so hard to keep polished, but he let her
continue. “I see the way the girls, heck, the women look at you, like they want
to eat you alive. People tell me that women, groupies, will do anything to hook
up with guys in a band, Ry…” Ashley let out a small humorless laugh that
punched Ryan in the gut at the same time it eased the band around his lungs
allowing him to breathe.
    “You are so much more than just a guy from a band. You are
beautiful and sexy and…gah…everything! I just don’t want you to look back on
this time and resent me for holding you back.”
    Ryan stared at the girl in front of him—only seventeen, but
more of a woman then most women ever grew to be.
    “Princess, don’t you understand yet? You’re it for me. I
know we’re young. I know my life is about to get crazy. But you…are… it .
You are what most guys spend their whole lives trying to find. I just got lucky
enough to find you at nineteen. And if you think I’m crazy or dumb enough to
ever jeopardize that then maybe you aren’t as smart as we all think you are.”
     

     
    Ashley gazed into Ryan’s eyes filled with determination,
love, and respect, eyes that were staring intently at her, begging her to
believe in him…in them. All of her fears melted away like snow cones in August,
as he continued.
    “I love you, Ashley, only you. You need to trust me and
trust that I will take care of your heart even when I’m not physically with
you. Can you do that for me?” She felt her smile stretch over her mouth as she
nodded her agreement.