Free Sometimes, Forever (Sometimes Moments #2) by Len Webster Page B

voice.
    “What?” he asked, horrified.
    “I went through four and a half years of what-could-have-been. I never spoke up and I regret that. So I’m not going to do that this time. Not with you. I had so much faith in you. I’ve been through a lot, and I haven’t told you, but I wanted to. I overcame a lot to have the confidence to stand here and confront you. Because I didn’t with him. So yeah, you’re different, Cooper. And I like that about you. From the moment I met you, I have felt something towards you. This pull. I don’t know what it is. But I thought you felt it, too. No one has even attempted to spend time with me other than Mads and Graham. People treat me as if I’m fragile and going to explode any second. But I’m not. You didn’t treat me like that.
    “You’re perfect. I love the way you talk about your sisters. I love how you get nervous sometimes and scratch your beard. I love how you look at me and see strength when I know there’s none there. You see the me I want to be. Others see this traumatised girl. You were perfect. I’ve never, in my entire life, asked someone out on a date. I shouldn’t take it personally, but I do. And that makes me feel horrible. I have no right to demand you care about me, but you shouldn’t have led me to believe that you do. That’s not fair. You could have been my forever. I never thought of you as my sometimes. I guess I was wrong about you.”
    Peyton wiped away the tears that had run down her cheeks.
    She had actually cried.
    “Peyton—”
    She shook her head at him, halting him from taking a step towards her. Peyton said nothing as she spun around and made her way towards her car.
    He should stop her from leaving.
    Stop her from getting into her car and taking away his chance at redemption.
    Instead, Cooper’s feet remained where he stood, watching as Peyton Spencer got in her car and drove back towards town.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Peyton claims I’m perfect.

T he skies were grey when he had left his cottage. Cooper had decided that an early morning walk to town and around the lake was what he needed before he started work. After Peyton had left yesterday, he couldn’t focus on work. He had stayed up late, trying to figure a way to fix his mistakes.
    But nothing.
    Her tears haunted him.
    Each time he closed his eyes, they were vivid visions before him.
    Later tonight, when he would call Margot, he would actually listen. Margot might be demanding and pushy, but she spoke a lot of sense. In fact, out of all the Hepburn children, she was the one who had an abundance of it. Cooper lacked a lot of it. Especially around Peyton.
    When he reached the bottom of the small cliff, he looked out at the parts of the lake he could see. It was beautiful even in such dreary weather, and he took a moment to appreciate the sight. His contract would be over in about nine months, and he’d say goodbye to it. But he didn’t want to. No. He’d stay in Daylesford to be with Peyton. If she’d let him. He didn’t want Warren Meadows. Didn’t want to live in the stereotypical bubble.
    Shoving his hands into his grey trackies, Cooper began his walk around the lake, taking in the trees that grew like canopies above him. It was just another charm of Daylesford. Everything about this small town was sweet and beautiful. As he continued his stroll around the lake, someone standing on the pier caught his attention. He had never seen anyone on it in the months that he had been in town. Cooper stopped and squinted, recognising who it was in an instant.
    With a heavy exhale, he stepped onto the wooden pier and walked towards her. She was looking at the water. He was sure she was aware of his presence; the creaking of the wooden planks with each step he made was a loud indication. When he stopped next to her, Cooper stared out at the almost foggy lake. He could just see the ducks and the small different coloured boats from the boathouse.
    “Do you really like Daisy Wilcox?”