The One That Got Away by Danielle Martin (chrysanthemum read aloud TXT) 📖

body to his chest. She continued to cry as she buried her face in his chest, losing herself in his embrace as she realized they hadn't been this close in so long. She never wanted to let go.
"I never meant to upset you this way Makayla. You were my first serious relationship. That will never change."
she lifted her face up, her cheeks stained from her tears. "But I wasnt the first woman you loved?"
  She began to feel as if he were embracing her out of pity. Pushing back, she turned the opposite way knowing that things would never be the same. "You shouldnt have lied to me Rodney. You could have been honest."
 He crossed his arms across his chest, eyeing her. "Doesnt feel too good to be lied to now does it?"
She wiped the tears from her face, her head screaming from a headadche. He was right. This was karma. After everything she had done to all the men in her past, this was nothing but a taste of her own medicine coming back to bite her in the ass. "Look Makayla, I love you. Always have, always will. But you have to understand, the other day really opened my eyes that maybe this is who you really are. Your not going to change. And to be honest, I could never marry you Makayla. Your not faithful. I cant see anything long term with you."
Makayla was in shock. She stood there staring at him, not knowing how to respond or what to say. She loved him. She messed up bad, and there was nothing she could do to fix her wrong doings. She couldnt make this right no matter how bad she wanted to. She messed up. And falling for Nathan only dug herself inside this hole even deeper. "I love you Rodney," she mouthed the words slowly. Thats all she felt she could say.
"I love you too Makayla." He took a deep breath then looked her deep into her eyes. "I love you enough to let you go." He reached forward and grabbed her hand, holding it tight inside his before letting it go. "Makayla, i need you to respect me and not show up to my job anymore. We both gotta move on, and we cant do that if we are still seeing each other like this."
Silent tears ran down her cheeks. She couldnt believe what she was hearing. It was over. He was breaking up with her. OFFICIALLY. He continued to stare at her, taking note that she was no longer responding. Makayla was at a loss for words. She may have lost him forever.
 "I have to go Makayla." He stared at her deeply one last time, almost as if he were contemplating walking away. "You take care of yourself."
Makayla wanted to speak, say something to make him stay. But she felt paralyzed. In shock, she watched as he glanced at her one final time, then turned and headed back towards the building. She continued to cry silenty, as she watched the love of her life walk away. Chapter 16

Chapter 16.
"I'm sorry Kathy. I tried." Makayla extended her arms, handing over a stack of pamplets that she had collected over the years.. Makayla was surprised by how many booklets she kept considering she threw most of them away. "This isn't 12 years worth but this is all i could find."
 Kathy was hesitant as she collected the pamplets out of Makaylas hand, tipping her glasses on the edge of her nose so she could scan her up and down. "So is this really it Makayla? You have quit the group so many times, how do I know you are for sure this time?"
 Makayla took a deep  breath. "I'm sure Kathy. And its nothing you have done. You've been great. I just think its time I move on."
"Move on from what? The skeletons in your closet?" Kathy interoggated her. "Your not fixing your issues, your hiding them. That wont make them go away."
Makayla smirked, knowing that Kathy wasn't going to let her leave that easy. Even though Makayla was distant when she was apart of the group sessions, deep down inside, she felt some sort of emotional connection to Kathy. Kathy was the only employee at the therapy center that was there from the beginning 12 years ago. She was committed to her job and helping others and Makayla admired that about her.
 "Kathy, I really did my best. I promise. I been coming here for over a decade, and I've been afraid to let go and start doing things on my own. I think im ready now. I'm ready for you to release me."
   Kathy shook her head, obviously not agreeing, but she knew Makayla was stubborn and once she made up her mind she wasnt going to change it. "Okay child. I'm not going to say goodbye because I know i'm going to see you again." Kathy stretched her arms, reaching up and pulling Makayla in giving her a big warm hug. One of those hugs that you get from your grandmother. Her embrace felt warm and comforting. Makayla hugged her back, knowing secretly she was going to miss Kathy. She had been around this woman all these years and she barely ever opened up or spoke about her personal life to her. At times, Makayla wished she had opened up sooner. Maybe then she wouldn't feel as if there was so much time wasted. Maybe then, she would have actually learned something and made a turn around in her life before it headed down self destruction blvd.
 After saying her goodbyes, Makayla took one last look at the therapy center. She couldnt believe that she was really walking away. After all these years, she clung to the therapy center believing this place was the only thing that gave her addiction some type of validation. But now, she knew that letting go was her best option right now.
"One more thing before i go." Makayla looked to Kathy, afraid to ask the question in fear that she would be judged. "Have you heard from.. from..." She stammered over her words. "Have you heard from Nathan lately?"
Kathy raised an eyebrow, obviously not aware that there had been ongoing conversation between her and Nathan. "He's a good boy Makayla. Dont you get him in no trouble now." Kathy spoke in a firm voice. Makayla shook her head, feeling bad that every man she came across had to be protected from her as if she were contagious. But she knew it came with the territory. "I know Kathy. I'm not going to cross that line. He's just been a really good friend to me and I need to let him know that."
Kathy sighed, shaking her head. "I shouldnt be telling you this."
Makayla inched foward, itching to know any type of information she could get on him. She hadn't seen Nathan since the fiasco happened at the house, and she really wanted to explain her side of the story.
"Nathan wont be coming to this therapy center anymore. He got the job counseling a small group of mentally abused teenagers. He was very excited about getting that job." Makaylas heart weakened. She knew that was everything  Nathan had been wanting and she was happy for him, but like an idiot she never got his number. His address. His facebook account. She had absolutely nothing on him besides this therapy center.
 " Where will he be counseling?" Makayla progued, digging a little deeper.
Kathy shook her head again, obviously hesitant to give her any information. "I can't tell you that. I have to respect my colleague and also his work space."
  Makayla wanted to beg, but she didnt want to look desperate even though she was. This couldnt be the end. She had to see Nathan one last time so he could understand her. "Please Kathy. Nathan has been a big help, and I cant let him go without saying goodbye. Just give me a phone number, Kathy."
  "I dont have his number darling." Kathy placed her hand on Makaylas shoulder wishing she could help. "I'm sorry honey."
Makaylas shoulders dropped in defeat, realizing that he may  really be gone forever and she will never get a chance to explain her side of the story and tell him how she really feels. "Okay." Makayla took a deep breath, wanting to kick herself for letting him walk away the last time she seen him. Now she would never get to make things right.
Kathy was taken aback by Makayla's sudden saddness. Makyala tried her best to hide it, but never seeing him again was depressing. Nathan  came in her life so sudden and now he was gone. kathy took a deep breath, preparing to give in. She didnt trust Makayla around Nathan, but who was she to stand in the way. It wasnt her business or her place. "Wait right here child." Kathy patted Makayla on the shoulder. "I think i might have his home address. Wait right here."...

Chapter 17

Chapter 17.

Makayla pulled up in front of the apartment building, whipping her audi into an open parking space in the front of the complex. She placed her car into park while looking around. It was a nice neighborhood. Clean and well kept. The grass was neatly cut, the ivy green apartment buildings stood 3 stories high making Makayla feel like she was two feet small. She couldnt believe that she was here right now. As soon as she got the address from Kathy, she hopped right into her car and made the 20 minute drive across town to his apartment. She was impressed how he was living. The apartments couldnt have been any cheaper than $900 a month. She wasnt expecting anything this nice and she began wondering whaat he does for a living to affford this.

She took a deep breath, knowing that this was her moment to make it or break it. She had messed up so many times in the past, she was determined to get it right this time. Makayla knew showing up here unannounced was all off a strength of faith. Theres no telling how he may react to seeing her. The last time she laid eyes on Nathan, she watched him walk away and didnt chase after him the way she wanted to. That was a mistake. But she was torn and she still is to this day.

Slightly becoming flustered, she hopped out of the