Page 213 of Tangled with the Tight End

“I want to protect you.” I stay put even though everything in me tugs to step closer to her, to hold her one last time.

“I love your heart, Declan. You’re a good man.”

I don’t understand why being good makes me feel worse than I’ve ever felt in my life.

She climbs into her car without another word or glance in my direction.

I watch her drive away. The gate closes behind her with a clang.

I walk back into my house—alone.

Chapter 35

Winona

The best way to help someone who is grieving

is simply to be there.

~ Unknown

The drive home from Declan’s is a blur—mostly because I’m crying so hard it’s like driving through a rainstorm, only without windshield wipers.

I pull up in front of my house, checking around for reporters.

When I don’t see anyone, I get out of the car and speed walk to my porch.

I never thought about who was around my house before things blew up online. But I meant what I told Declan. I would put up with all of it for him. People make sacrifices for love all the time. In sickness or health, for better, for worse. I would have made those vows to Declan and lived them out.

When I open the door, Cass is on the couch reading.

Her head pops up. She wasn’t expecting me home so soon after leaving.

She takes one look at me and asks, “What happened?”

“Declan and I … broke up.” I can barely get the words out.

“You what?”

I can’t repeat it. I know I don’t need to anyway. She heard me.

I get why he made his decision. It’s not my choice. But I didn’t fight him.

He’s hurting. I know him better than anyone. Not being able to protect me has been killing him slowly. Knowing we will be under fire over and over means he’d never be free of the weight he’s carrying.

He thought he was protecting me by breaking up.

Well, I’m returning the favor by protecting him.

Cass stares at me. I stand in place. Rooted. Unable to move.

“Has he lost his mind?” Cass asks.

“It’s not him. He didn’t do anything.”

“You broke up with him?” Her face contorts with confusion.

“We broke up. It was mutual.” Declan might not agree with my take on how our breakup went, but I know. I went along with it.