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

can feel his heart beating faster. “What were you doing there so late that night?” I ask him.

“I had a fight with my dad that night about something stupid, so I went to the lake to get away from the noise,” he says.

“Is that the reason why you were so mean when I came back a few months ago?” I ask.

“ It’s part of it,” he says. “When I was in college, I was in a serious relationship with my college sweetheart. Her name was Chrissy.”

I think I’m a little jealous.“Bad breakup?” I ask.

“No, she committed suicide.” He says shaking his head and I feel like such an asshole. I don’t say anything so he continues. “She was pregnant with my baby. At first she was having a hard time accepting it, but she started getting used to the whole baby thing. I thought things were good, but then one day I came home from working a long shift. I didn’t want to work it, but we needed the extra money because we were having a baby.” He takes a deep breath. “I found her in our bed, dead. She overdosed.”

I hold him close. “Oh my god, I am so sorry.”

He hugs me tighter. “Thank you babe.”

“Is that the reason why you were so mean?” I say as I cling to him trying to hold his broken pieces together.

“Yeah. I told myself that I wasn’t going to get involved or fall in love with anyone else because it was a waste of time. Until you. You made me feel things that Chrissy never made me feel ever, not even Becca.” He says, nodding into my shoulder as I don't break our embrace.

“Are you still in love with her?” I know I shouldn’t ask, but I need to know.

“I loved Chrissy, but I was never in love with her.” He says truthfully.

I look away. “ And did you love Becca?”

“I liked her, nothing more.” He moves my face close to his. “You’re the only woman that’s ever made me stupid like this. I was an asshole and I am sorry. I just didn’t know how to deal with my feelings.”

“How do you feel now?” I ask.

He has this goofy smile on his beautiful face. “Now I have you and I’m in love with you.” He kisses my lips. “And you’re the only one for me Sina.” He kisses me again. “I love you,” he says. I love kissing him. Sigh.

“I love you more.” I say.

“Are you ready to go home?” he asks. Home. Yes, he is my home.

“Take me home.” I say, getting up and holding his hand as he follows me inside the house.

“Hey Mama? We’re going to get ready and head back to the house. Emma, are you ready?” I call out and she comes flying down the stairs.

“Woah there speedy '' Eli says catching her.

Emma giggles. “Eli, can I spend the night with Grandma pleeeeease?”

Eli looks at me asking with his eyes if I’m okay with that. “If you promise to not run down those stairs anymore then I don’t see why not sweetheart” he says.

Emma throws her arms around him. “I promise.” She says and he picks her up then kisses her on her forehead.

“Love you Eli.” She tells him.

“Love you too.” He sets her back down then she quickly walks back upstairs.

“What am I? Chopped liver?” I call after her.

She giggles. “I love you Mama.” Then she blows me a kiss.

“Night baby.” Eli grabs our to-go plates, because we both know how I love leftovers for breakfast.

“Alright, let me know when you guys get home” Mama says.

“Will do,” I hug her goodbye. “Love you Mama.”

“Night Mama Rita.”

Chapter Sixty-Nine

Eli

The drive home is quiet but comfortable. Emma decided she would stay the night at her grandma’s which was fine with us. And it means a lot to me that Sina’s letting me be a part of Emma’s life. It makes me love her that much more. I hear her yawning. “Tired babe?” I ask as she reaches for my hand. Fuck, I love her.

“Yeah, just a little tired,” she says as I kiss her hand.

“Do we have anything planned for tomorrow?” I ask her.

My baby yawns again. “I was planning on sleeping in tomorrow since Emma’s with Mama”, she says.

“How about we do this. When we get home you go take a quick shower, I’ll grab us some snacks then we’ll pig out until we either pass out or throw up?” She giggles and her laugh fucking kills me every time.

“You’re spoiling me love” she says.

“I plan on spoiling you forever.” I tell her and she sighs. I have to figure out a way to keep her from going back to New York. By the time we pull into the garage, she’s already falling asleep. I trail my fingers down her face. “Baby, we’re home.” She smiles and my heart aches in a good way. She opens her eyes. “Hey.” She blinks a couple of times.

“Hey you” she says.

“Go take your shower, and we’ll watch one of those corny hallmark movies that you love.” I tease.

She pinches my arm. “Hallmark is not corny. Stop being so judgmental” she says. Fuck, she’s the cutest.

“Hallmark’s for people who are hopeless romantics,” I say and she smiles and my fucking heart flips.

“And I’m one of those people'' she says. She winks at me as she gets out. I follow her inside, snaking my arm around her waist and moving her hair out of the way so I can start kissing her neck.

“Mm. I’ll never be able to take a shower if you don’t stop doing that , she moans.

I nibble at her ear. “You make me crazy Babe.” I tell her as turns around and wraps her arms around my neck. Her lips are on mine and she starts sucking on my tongue then bites my lower lip. Fuck. But she doesn’t stop. “Babe, if you don’t stop doing that, I’m going to bend