Free Promises (New Beginnings Book 2) by Michelle Lynn

pavement as she used it to break her fall. Her keys landed with a crash beside her and she looked up at the furious man standing before her.
    She winced as she touched the knee that had been slammed in the sidewalk, and her hand came away with spots of blood. It hurt as she scrambled to her feet but that didn’t stop her from running across the front lawn, towards her car.
    "Want me to call Elijah?" Jake called after her. "I'll tell him that he's now free to have my leftover sludge."
    Maggie didn't stop.
    "Go on! Go run to him!" Jake screamed before slamming the door.
    Maggie's hands shook as she drew her seatbelt across her chest and pulled away. She looked back at the house she’d lived in for the past ten years. She'd have to go back to get her stuff, but after that, that part of her life was over.
    Tears blurred her vision, but she wiped them away furiously. Jake was right about one thing. There was only one place she could go.
    It had been a year, but the road still felt so familiar. It was early evening so she didn't know if he'd be home, and she didn't know what to say to him if he was.
    Did she apologize for making the wrong choice?
    She couldn't think straight. In a few hours’ time, she’d lost her chance at motherhood and given up on her marriage. Her entire life was gone.
    And there was Elijah, pushing a mower across his lawn. The tan skin of his chest shone with sweat and his dark hair peeked out under the edges of his baseball cap.
    She started to relax as she pulled up and watched him. This is what coming home feels like, she thought.
    She got out of her car and leaned against it. She was sure she looked like a train-wreck, all bloody knees and tear-streaked face, but she didn't really care. All she needed was her best friend.
    After a few minutes, Elijah finally saw her. He stopped and turned off the mower. A smile started to come to his lips, but it fell when he stepped closer and took in her appearance. After freezing in shock for a brief moment, he closed the rest of the gap between them and pulled her into his arms.
    She shook and he held her tighter.
    "I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "I-"
    "Shhh, it's okay," he whispered, his lips brushing her hair. "I've missed you, Mags."
    "It's not okay. You promised you'd always be there for me and then you let me push you away. You broke your promise."
    Elijah chuckled softly. "I know. It's all my fault." He pulled back and winked at her.
    It was such an Elijah move that she couldn't help the small smile that brightened her face. It dropped when more tears spilled from her eyes.
    "What is wrong with me, Elijah? Why does everyone who is supposed to love me find that impossible?"
    "Maggie, listen to me." Elijah put his hand under her chin and titled her face so she was looking at him. "You are not impossible to love. You’re the best person I know. One day, you’re going to find someone that will love you so much they’ll fight through these impenetrable walls your father and Jake have created. I promise you that."

Ten
     
    Present Day:
     
    Maggie's eyes shifted nervously as she walked through the park. She didn't want to be there, but she knew it was what she needed to do.
    Jake had called Elijah's phone that morning while Elijah was in the shower. Maggie saw his name come up on the screen and decided to answer it.
    Jake's voice had shaken when he realized she’d answered and not Elijah, but Maggie stayed strong. She was distant and cold, but firm. All of this just needed to be done. She’d felt Jake's impending visit hanging over her head and suddenly had to know what he wanted to say to her.
    She was the one who suggested the park. Jake said Jason's would be fine, but Maggie didn't want her cousin involved. She had to do it alone. Not even Elijah knew where she’d gone.
    She wiped her sweaty palms on her pants and kept going. She was almost there.
    A young girl ran past, her long honey-brown hair flying out behind her. She stumbled on uncertain legs and Maggie