Pieces of Me by Pua Ramona (small books to read txt) 📕

so busy that we haven’t talked about anything. He hasn’t asked us to stay, and I don’t want to come off desperate by forcing him to make a decision.” I sigh.

“If he asked you to stay, would you?” Mama says.

“I would Mama. I love him, he’s the missing piece of me.” I confess to her.

Mama kisses the top of my head. “And you’re the missing piece of him. The Hunters have been a huge blessing to us, I don’t know where I’d be if Eliza wasn’t by my side. She’s become my best friend, and Eli’s like one of my own. He is the only man that I trust to protect you and Emma, especially with your heart.” She says smiling. “Do you have anything that’s waiting for you in New York?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“Do you think you can stay for another week?” She enquires.

I look at Mama. “I guess we can stay for another week.” I tell her, shrugging my shoulders.

Mama looks at me. “How are you Sina, with everything that happened?”

I rest my head back on her shoulder and sigh. “I’m okay. I know you’re worried, but I promise that I’m okay. Everything that has happened makes me realize that life is short and that I needed to live because I am alive. I had two choices. I was either going to let my past break me, or I push through everything that was breaking me. And I chose to push for myself and everyone that I love. I’m just sad that our family is going through all this hurt Mama.”

She tucks a piece of my loose hair behind my ear. “And that isn’t your fault. I’m sad for your Auntie Lupe and Uncle Niko, this is on Jackson and no one else. And I know you’re hurting because you haven’t heard from June-Bug, but it was his brother who hurt you and Eli. So he has to deal with it the way he knows how. If that means he feels he has to stay away from us, then we have to respect it.” She wipes the tear off my cheek. “Your father would’ve been so proud of you Sina for not giving up. I’m so proud of you sweetie, so damn proud. I love you Sina.” She says and pulls me in for a hug.

“I love you too Mama. And thank you for never giving up on me.” I tell her quietly.

“Well, I’m going to go have some of your Auntie Claire’s half-moon pie before your brothers finish it. Are you going to stay out here for a bit longer?’ She asks.

I smile, “Yeah, I’ll be inside in a little bit.”

“Enjoy the peace and quiet sweetie.” She says as she gets up to go back into the house. Inhale. Exhale. Peace and quiet.

“Hey gorgeous!”

“Rino.” I laugh under my breath.

“How are you?” he asks.

I shrug. “Tired. But I’m good.” I move a little so he can sit down.

“I wanted to come say goodbye before I fly back to New York in a couple of days and I wasn’t sure if I’d see you again before I left. Walk with me?” I take his hand and we get up together to walk around the yard.

“Do you need a ride to the airport? Because I can take you Rino.” I offer and he stops walking. I’m not ready to say goodbye, but I know he has a life to get back to.

“Sina, can you look at me? Please?” I shake my head no but he gently holds my chin and moves my face so he can see me. “Stop crying. How is it possible that you still have tears in those pretty eyes? No more crying.” I try to laugh, but it sounds more like I’m just ugly crying at him instead.. “If things were different I would take you back with me, but I would have to be blind to not see how you and Eli were meant to be together. He makes you happy, right?” he asks.

I nod my head. “Yes, he does. So much Rino.”

He smiles and says, “Then your life is here with him and your family. I know New York’s been your home for a long time, but you belong here.” Stupid tears batter my cheeks again.

“But, he hasn’t asked me to stay.” I say quietly.

He chuckles, “Then ask him where you stand. Don’t waste anymore time. And if he makes you cry again, you call me and I’ll be back to beat his ass, gunshot wounded or not.”

I laugh with a mix of tears and snot running down my face. Attractive.

He kisses my forehead and I sob, “Thank you Rino.”

“I know he’ll love you right, so I’m not worried. I’ll text you when I get back to New York. Love you Sina”, and he walks back to his car before getting in and driving away.

I take a deep breath and head back to the house. “He’s in love with you.” I hear Eli say from my side.

“I know. But I’m in love with you” I reply looking up at him.

“I know,” he says and I sigh. I am crazy about him. He grabs my hand then he sits me on his lap.

“God, you smell so good,” he says.

“Stop sniffing me, that’s weird. And my name’s Sina, not God.”

He pokes my side. “Smartass” he says. I chuckle. He kisses my neck. “Can I ask you something?”

I nod. “Sure you can.”

He kisses the side of my head. “Do you remember seeing me at the lake eight years ago?” he asks.

“Yes. You were either running laps around the lake, or you were leaving when I saw you.”

He winds his arms around me tighter. “Was that the same night everything happened?” I nod my head yes. He hugs me hard “I’m sorry I left you there,” he says.

I turn so I can get a good look at his face and I kiss the corner of his mouth. “You didn’t know and it wasn’t your fault.” I