Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 106797 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106797 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“You didn’t know, Mom. It’s not your fault. I’m okay. We’re okay.”
She cried, and I held her, trying to be the support she needed while still battling with the night on my own. After a while, her cries softened and she closed her eyes, resting back against Rhodes’ pillows. I brought her a glass of water and set it on the bedside table before quietly shutting the bedroom door behind me and rejoining Rhodes in the kitchen.
We looked at each other for what felt like the first time that night.
“Can we go somewhere?”
Rhodes didn’t answer, only grabbed the keys to his bike.
I called Christina, telling her what I could about what happened and asking her to go to Rhodes’ place to keep an eye on mom. I hoped she would sleep, but just in case, I didn’t want her to be alone.
The sun was on the horizon as we drove toward the beach. Rhodes parked his bike in one of Dale’s reserved spots and held my hand as we made our way to the water. I fell down into the sand right at the water’s edge and Rhodes slowly maneuvered himself down to sit next to me.
“I would give every last penny in my savings account to know what you’re thinking right now,” he whispered over the waves. His eyes were on me, mine were on the soft yellows and blues of the sunrise over the ocean.
“My step-dad is the reason you’ve spent the last three years of your life in absolute hell,” I said. “I’m tied to the biggest pain in your life. I can’t believe I never saw him for what he was. I can’t believe I trusted him. I loved him. I thought he loved me.” My voice broke a little, but I cleared my throat. I refused to shed any more tears over Dale Poxton.
“Bug, he was the reason for what happened to Lana. To me. Not you.”
“Are you okay?” I asked, turning to face him. I didn’t want to talk about Dale anymore.
“Honestly? No,” he answered. His bright green eyes were tinged a sort of aqua with the blue of the sky playing in them. “But I think I will be. I’m more worried about you at the moment.”
“Me?”
He nodded.
“I’m fine. Shaken up was my diagnosis,” I joked. Rhodes didn’t return my smile.
“What happened to you tonight was serious, Natalie.”
“It didn’t happen. You saved me.”
He swallowed. “Even still. I wasn’t there to stop him from hitting you, or saying what I can only imagine were words you’ll never forget.”
An ache squeezed around my heart and I clutched at the fabric of my tank top. Rhodes pulled me into him, kissing my hair.
“I think I’ll be okay, too.” I finally whispered into his chest.
“Maybe we both will be.”
I sniffed. “Are you really leaving?”
Rhodes sighed, tilting my chin up to look into my eyes. “Not without you.”
He captured my lips with his own, promises dancing between us in the morning light. I tangled my fingers in his hair and he held me tighter, deepening our kiss. Neither of us had any idea where we went from that moment, but finally, and without any doubt, we knew we’d never face whatever it was without the other.
“I love you,” he whispered against my lips. “I don’t want you to think I’m just saying it now because of what happened tonight. I’ve felt it for weeks, maybe longer. I should have said it when you did, or hell, before then. You said it hit you all at once, but I felt every single inch of the fall. I tried so hard to fight it, to not let myself be selfish enough to love you knowing who I am and what I’m capable of.”
“Stop,” I breathed, kissing him again. “I know. You never had to say it.”
He frowned, his eyes on mine. “Well now I’m never going to stop.”
I smiled against his mouth as he kissed me again, harder this time, with promise and purpose, greed and carefulness. His brows knitted together, and I wondered if he’d ever be able to kiss me without feeling like he didn’t deserve to.
“I love you too, William,” I said softly. He pulled back, his eyes questioning the name. He opened his mouth to argue, but after a pause, simply closed it once more. Because he knew then what I had known all along.
He was my resolute protector now.
Sliding his hand into mine, he pressed two fingers firmly against my inner wrist. I felt my heartbeat pound beneath his touch and I moved my own fingers to mirror his. My heart was racing, but his was slow and steady. Soon, they evened out, beating as one together. William pressed his forehead to mine and I inhaled the first breath of my new life.
That summer had changed me in more ways than I could even understand. I had challenged myself and found strength I didn’t know I had. I’d taken risks, risks that lead to a passion and love unlike anything I’d experienced before. And yes, I had lost an innocence that up until that point had played a huge role in who I was.