Page 55 of Burning Obsession

“Jake, fuck, please,” he whispers, stepping closer to me, taking my hands in his.

I feel like I’m going to throw up as I glance down at our entwined hands.

“Just tell me.” The words come out cold.

"I wanted to tell you. You have to believe me. But things were going so well with us, I decided, why ruin it?”

Victor, the man I trusted. Who I gave my heart to freely. The man I was going to tell I love him has been keeping something from me. He’s lied to me.

"Jake, please. Just let me explain,” he begs.

My throat tightens.

"No."

"Jake.” I pull out of his grasp and step back, shaking my head at him.

"You've had plenty of time to tell me everything." My voice trembles with how angry I am. "And you didn't. It was you this whole time. The person sending me gifts. Tell me I’m wrong.”

“You’re not wrong.”

He reaches toward me, and I take another step back.

“Please let me tell you everything.”

I can’t help but laugh. “That’s rich, Victor. You want to tell me now. How convenient since your secret was outed by Fifi. No wonder you didn’t want to go into the shop. You didn’t want to accidentally run into her.”

His face crumples and I see his eyes water and a tear runs down his cheek.

“It’s not like that. It’s just… please let’s go somewhere private so I can explain.”

“Were you following me that day? Is that how you knew where I was? Has this been one big joke to you?”

“No, it's not like that. That day in the café was a hundred percent natural. I didn’t even know you were going to be there. When I saw you I couldn’t help talking to you.”

I turn away from him, not even able to look at him anymore. His hand gently grasps my arm.

"Please, just let me—"

I yank my arm free.

"No." My anger with him is taking over. “You had your chance to talk to me. To tell me, but you didn’t. I don’t want to see you again.”

I don't wait for his response. I head straight to my truck and get in. I take a deep breath, then turn on the ignition and leave. When I look back up in the rearview mirror, I still see him standing on the sidewalk. He can find his own way home and right out of my life.

This morning, I thought I was living in heaven. Now, I'm watching it crash and burn right in front of me. And the worst part? I don't even know what the truth is anymore. The man I loved is my fucking admirer. And I’m a damn idiot.

Chapter 17

Victor

All I can do is stand there and watch the man I love drive away. I don’t move, wanting to make sure I memorize how he looks, knowing I’m never going to see him again. He hates me, and I don’t blame him. I lied to him and kept a huge secret from him.

His truck disappears around the corner and I feel like there’s a weight pressing down on me. I can’t breathe. I can’t think. The world is completely hazy and I start to panic, unable to breathe.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

Everything was great, and my lie came back to bite me in the ass, ruining everything.