Page 2 of When You Stayed
“I have a question for you.” I smiled. It was wobbly, but I tried to fix it before she caught on.
Her gaze snapped to how I began lowering to one knee. Those eyes I fell in love with at the ripe age of five blew wide and her nose flared.
“Connor.”
It was a warning I couldn’t heed. This would break us once and for all. She’d be lost to me, but I was going to lose her regardless once she realized I wasn’t headed to college. I deceived her, and I didn’t have any plans to explain myself…not now at least. Maybe in a few years, once I figured a few things out.
I knew it even as I gave her the best smile I could and held out the velvet box.
“Royce Hannah Quinn, will you do me the great honor of?—”
Royce flew to her knees in front of me and shut the box, with a tear sliding down her face. “What are you doing, Connor?”
I couldn’t seem to swallow as I saw the same fear in her eyes that mirrored what was in mine.
“Trying to propose.”
She searched my face; her hand still wrapped around the box that was clasped in mine.
“You can’t.”
I whispered between us, “I have to, Royce.”
Her golden brows furrowed. “Why…I don’t understand.”
This wasn’t worth my energy to go in circles. Royce would figure itout eventually, and I was leaving. Not in two months, like I had told everyone. I was leaving tonight, and I wouldn’t be looking back. Even if Royce said yes, she’d be packing her bags and coming with me.
“Your dad…he wants you to be safe. It’s been nine years since Max made his threat…he’s scared if you stay behind, you’ll get hurt.”
She clamored to her feet, panic stamped across her features. “But I already told him I want to intern at the Hollow. He said he was fine with it.”
I shook my head because she’d figure out the rest of it.
“He…” she trailed off, still pacing.
“He loves you, Royce.”
Her sharp gaze sliced back to me, and I realized I should probably stand up.
“You knew I’d say no, Connor. I just graduated two months ago. You took a year. I haven’t even had that.”
I ducked my head, nodding.
“And where would we live, in your dorm room?”
I had to lie because I wouldn’t tell her where I was really headed or that if she had said yes, she might be in even more danger than she would be here. “I’m assuming your dad would make arrangements for us.”
“So, you would get to chase your dream while going to school, but my dad wanted me to be your wife, at home all day and allow my own hopes to wilt away?”
She was angry, and I didn’t blame her. I was hurt, but I was also loyal.
Too fucking loyal.
“Connor, we’ve been struggling for months…we both knew we were likely about to break up.”
That was also true. I wanted to poke around my past, and I had no intentions of including her. Or anyone, for that matter. It had created a divide between us.
“I’m trying to protect you, Royce. Even if we weren’t together, you know I’d always want you safe. No matter what. You’re my family.”
