Breaking Elle by Antoinette Candela Page A

I’m going to turn into a tank.”
    “Well, I can help with that; I know a really good way to burn calories,” he says softly, biting his lower lip suggestively.
    “Haha.” I smile, wiping my hands on a napkin. Slowly, the queasiness is going away with the combination of Cane’s tenderness and the food in my stomach. Leaning back in the booth, I stare out the window, thinking about what just happened at the center. It was nothing. I just have a lot on my mind. I turn back to Cane and smile.
    “You’re cute when you’re frustrated.” His eyes dance with amusement as he leans forward, his face inches away from mine. I smell the clean scent of his skin and his cologne.
    “Frustrated is not even the word.” I touch his arm as he reaches across the table. Taking my hand, he kisses my knuckles. I get all warm inside, wishing we were not in a public place. Cane, my Prince Charming, my shoulder to cry on, and so much more.
    “Talk to me, Elle. What’s bothering you?” he asks before he plants his sweet lips on top of my hand again. His warm brown eyes search my face. I know he loves me. I know it when he looks at me like this.
    I can’t concentrate after learning about Reed. It’s not what he did; it has more to do with me and my reaction to him at the park last night. I feel stupid about it, for allowing myself to fall for his charm. I’d avoided guys like him up until now, but I sensed something in him that was good, sincere, and kind. Instead, he’s just a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and I almost fell into his trap. A guy like him knows how to play the game and how to get laid with no strings attached. Not that I should care. So, why am I sitting here thinking about him? You know why; you just need to acknowledge it. Figure out how to deal with it.
    “I don’t know.” I pause, sighing deeply. “I feel lost. You ever get that feeling?” I gaze into his tender eyes; he squeezes my hand a little harder, a little tighter. Is this how he felt when he cheated on me with his ex the first month into our relationship? Did a loss of control cause him to stray?
    Our very first argument was about his ex. I was leery about her because she was the jealous type and still lingered in the shadows. She kept texting and calling him. He didn’t understand, or want to understand, where I was coming from when I told him he needed to end all communication. He said I was overreacting, that there was nothing going on. He felt like I didn’t trust him, but it wasn’t that. It was that I didn’t trust her. The guilt of whatever he did ate him up inside until he finally told me that he had cheated.
    He begged me for another chance, promising it would never happen again. I finally agreed after a few weeks because we missed each other desperately. Remembering it now makes me grateful that we made the effort. Second chances are worth it if both people are willing to work through it.
    “Sure, I get the feeling of being lost. I graduated last month. I’m going to grad school in the fall, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to enter the big bad world and be an adult.” He smiles, looking me over. “I like where I am right now though, here with you. This feels right.” He smiles and takes both of my hands in his. “Is this about us?”
    “No,” I lie. I feel horrible and look away, hoping he doesn’t see the uncertainty in my eyes. “It’s my mom.” I reply, not wanting to think about the past, or Reed and the feelings that he’s bringing to the surface. “I don’t know if I can help her. I don’t know if she wants to hear the truth, and I don’t know if I want to be the one to tell her. I’m seeing a side of her that scares me.”
    “Sometimes just listening is enough; sometimes that’s all a person wants,” he says, tucking a piece of my hair behind my ear. “You’re strong Elle; whatever happens you’ll be okay. And you’ve always got me.” Turning to him, I meet his eyes and smile as he gently brushes his hand