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

the good in me. My heart loves her even more for allowing me to share this with her. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in God and when I do pray it’s always with my parents, or by myself, never anyone else. It’s like someone’s kicked me right in the chest because all I remember is my Dad always telling me to find a woman that will pray for and with me. I’ve always thought he was crazy for telling me this, but the way my heart feels right now? I’m surprised that it hasn’t exploded yet with all the emotions fighting for occupancy. The strongest one I feel is the unconditional love for this woman who will be holding my heart in her hands forever and then some. I look at her and say “I would like that.” She smiles at me and she starts praying not only for herself, but for everyone important in her life, including myself.

When she finishes she looks at me one last time and says “If I can’t have you the way my heart wants, then I would rather have you in my life as my friend then as nothing at all Eli,” as she stands up and grabs her jacket and blanket.

“Then I promise to be the best friend that you deserve.” I tell her as I stand alongside her. She gives me a sad smile and I reach for her, hugging her close one final time. “Thank you for loving me even when I don’t deserve it” I whisper in her ear.

I feel her smile against my chest as she says “Somebody has to do it.” She takes a few steps back and says “See you this weekend?”

“Hell yeah, I was invited.” I wink at her.

as she walks to her car she turns and says, “Hey Eli?”

“Yeah?” I answer.

She gives me the prettiest smile and says “You’ll find her when the time is right.”

Before I can tell her that I found her already and that she’s standing right in front of me, she gets in her car and drives away. I stand and watch her until her tail lights areno longer in sight. I take a deep breath and notice that she left her letter so I pick it up and a couple of photos fall out. I smile as I realize that they are of her and her father. I knew she was daddy’s girl , but the way he smiles at her in both photos confirms it. I know it’s wrong to read the letter , and that it’s contents are none of my business, but I wanted to know what kind of man her father was. I wanted to know the man who raised such a beautiful daughter with a heart of gold. It doesn’t take me long to read it, but his words are now carved in my heart forever.

I cast my eyes towards the heavens and say, “Thank you for raising such a beautiful daughter with an amazing soul. I promise you that I will do everything I can to make things right.” I tuck the letter back in the envelope and decide that it’s time to head home. I get in my truck, leaving the lake with her father’s words memorized, and a newfound respect for a man I've never met. I promised him in my thoughts, that I will let her go and love her quietly. I drive away knowing that I have to start letting people in, my mother included.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Eli

Unknown: Hey new best friend ☺ Hope you don’t mind that I asked Reese for your number, but I wanted to let you know that your mom is more than welcome to come as well. 

Her text makes me smile like an idiot. How is it even possible that her text is just as cute? I’ve got it bad for this girl, fuck my life. I can’t help it but flirt with her just a little.

Me: Are you saying you’re ready to meet my mother because you like me? ;)

Beautiful: Lol. Sure we’ll go with that cool guy B)

Me: So you do like me. Lol. I’ll let Mama know that my future wife wants to meet her ;)

Beautiful: *Blushing* Just bring her with you Mister. And don’t worry about bringing anything, just bring your appetite and smiles ☺

Me: Anything for you, beautiful.

Beautiful: <3

I sit there and read over our text conversation for a good three hours. Shit, what can I say? That was probably the first legit conversation we’ve had since she’s been back. And it feels good to have just that, a simple conversation with nothing intense or heavy. I’m walking out the door to my truck when I see Becca standing by her car. I slow down and try not to be pissed off that she’s here. I meet her half way down the driveway and ask, “What are you doing here Becca?” She doesn’t say anything so I question her again, “Becca?”

She looks at me with tired eyes and says “I’m late.” It hits me that she’s talking about her fucking period being late.

“What do you mean you’re fucking late Becca?” I snap.

She looks at me like I just slapped her and says, “Are you serious right now Eli? You fucked me numerous times without a condom you asshole.”

“So you’re here cause what Becca?” For the first time since I’ve known her, I’ve never seen her look so small and broken. I take a deep breath and try not to get mad at her because shit, I played a part in this too. All I can think about is Chrissy and how she looked when she first told me that she was having my baby. I feel a little pain in my chest and try to work through my breathing.

We stand there for a few minutes until she says, “Eli, I’m not ready to have a baby.” I take a few steps back