“She doesn’t want to talk to you. You missed your chance.” He hung up the phone and held it out for me. My jaw fell open and I blinked several times trying to erase what had just happened. My phone rang again and I quickly hit the switch on the side to mute it.

“Another?” Jeff asked, holding up the bottle. I nodded, handing him my glass. He filled it and I slammed it back, holding my hand out for a refill.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” he laughed and filled our glasses again, spilling some on my lap. The shots slid down my thoat easier now and my head was beginning to feel light. Jeff stumbled into the kitchen and grabbed a rag to clean up his mess. He rubbed it on my lap, his breath reaking of alcohol on my face.

“Woah! I got it!” I took the rag from his hand and rubbed it on my jeans. “Shit” I muttered.

“I’m so sorry.” Jeff stumbled to his feet.

“I should go change.” I stood up, falling back against the couch to catch myself. I stumbled back the hall, leaning against the walls for support. My phone lit up and vibrated in my hand.

“What?” I slurred into the phone. William was breathing heavily.

“What’s wrong with you?” He hissed angrily. I made a face at the phone.

“What is wrong with me?” I pointed to myself as I stumbled into the bedroom.

“Are you drunk?” He asked, sounding concerned.

“Hey, if you need a shirt or something I can grab you one of mine.” Jeff called from the doorway.

“Who the f**k was that?” William yelled in my ear. I pulled the phone back from my face.

“My friend” I said as angrily as I could.

“I’m five minutes away. Come outside now!”

“How did you…” I rememebered he was able to track my phone and rage boiled inside of me.

“Here” Jeff held out an oversized Kippling shirt.

“Thank you” I took it from him and stumbled. He caught me by my arms.

“I think you should lay down.” He said, inches from my face. I pushed him back from me.

“I’m fine” His grip didn’t loosen as he pushed me back towards the bed. “I said I’m fine!” I lost my footing and tumbled back onto the bed. Jeff landed on top of me, his hands groping at me. “Get off of me!” I screamed. A loud banging came from down the hall and in an instant Jeff was pulled off of me. William slammed him against the wall, causing his head to crack loudly against it.

“Mr. Honor?” Jeff slurred, in shock. William pulled back and hit Jeff hard across the face. Blood flew from his nose on impact. He held him by his shirt and leaned in close to him.

“If you ever hurt her again I will kill you.” Jeff pressed himself against the wall, terrified. William stared at him for another minute before letting him go and holding out his hand to me. I slipped my fingers in his and he grabbed my things, dragging me from the apartment. As soon as we reached the sidewalk I lurched forward, vomitting all over the ground.

“Well, I guess you know that you’re not pregnant.” He said dryly. I looked at him for a long moment.

“I knew all along.” I glared at him. He swallowed hard and opened his car door.

“Let’s go” he said, no anger in his voice. I slipped into my seat and slammed the door.

“Just take me to my car.” I felt his eyes on me and he took off fast down the road. My stomach was churning and I wanted to beg him to go slower, but I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.

Chapter Thirty-Three

After taking a shower and eating something I felt a lot better but my heart still ached and the cause of it was sitting just a few feet from me.

“I want to go home.” I said, pulling my knees to my chest.

“Give me a chance to explain.” He said, his voice panicked. I glared at him.

“What is there to say?” I could feel my chest growing heavy as I relived what had happened in my mind.

“I know you deserve better than me.” He looked at me and waited for a response. I didn’t say anything. “Can I hold you?” He asked. His words caught me off guard. I wanted to scream at him and run out of the door but I sat, frozen in place. William slid closer on the couch and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me down on him as he laid back. He sighed, pushing my hair back from my face.

“Abby was pregnant.” He whispered. My blood ran cold.

“What?” I asked, in shock as I twisted to see his face. His eyes were pink and swollen like he had been crying since I left.

“We had just found out.” He smirked at the memory.

“You have a…” He shook his head before I could finish my sentence.

“She took the money, remember? She didn’t have room in her life for me and our…” His voice trailed off. He pressed his eyes closed, trying to forget. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just…couldn’t.” A tear escaped his eye and rolled down his cheek. I wiped it with my thumb, staring into his eyes.

“I’m so sorry.” I whispered. He ran hands through his hair as he sat up.

“You’re sorry? Emma, I damn near ruined your life in the short time that I’ve known you.” He was angry with himself and on the verge of breaking down completely.

“William, everyone has a past. Mine isn’t that great either but it made you who you are today. The man I love.” I put my hand on his chest. His heart was beating wildly.

“You still love me?” His face was pained as he braced himself for me to break his heart.

“More than anything.” I smiled as I looked down at my hand on his chest, thinking of how far we have come in this short amount of time. “I belong to you.” I said quietly. His eyes began to burn and I could tell his mood was shifting. He grabbed my hand and held it tightly against him.

“I love you more than anything, Emma. I don’t want to ever feel the way I did when I thought I had lost you forever.” I smiled and leaned in to kiss him. His lips pressed hard against mine. “Marry me”