Page 31 of The Rescue

He stops in his tracks, and I think I see his lip quiver. With his hands in his pockets and his shoulders up, I can tell he’s uncomfortable. He doesn’t really know me that well, but I cansomewhat relate to him when it comes to this kind of stuff. I will never understand what it felt like to be him when he was a child, but I understand the feeling of never being good enough. The small understanding smile, and the slight nod of his head confirms that he knows I can understand in a small way how he’s feeling.

He shivers as a gust of wind blows past us. “Thank you, I really needed to hear that.”

We start walking again, we’re walking closer together now. So close that I can feel the heat emitting off of him. Our fingers lightly brush, and the energy buzzes away in me, it makes me hyper. I try to take my mind off the rush of having him so close.

“I’m sorry about being there when you found out about your mom calling, it should’ve been a private conversation.”

“No, I’m glad you were there.”

He nudges his shoulder against mine which seems to be our signature move at the moment. My mind can’t wrap itself around these little gestures, surely this is just friends comforting each other about their fucked up situations and nothing more. I try not to let my thoughts get too carried away, because this is not the time to be thinking about jumping into bed with him.

He lets out a small sigh as he looks up toward the dark sky. “I–I just feel so stupid. A small part of me deep down was hoping that she was calling to ask about me.”

My heart breaks into a million pieces for him, here is this incredibly kind and generous man wishing to be loved by the woman who brought him into this world. I’m suddenly feeling guilty for the way I’ve been sexualising him, and just seeing him as some really hot guy I’d love to hook up with. I’m starting to see that he’s got depth to him. He’s complicated, and complex. He’s hurting, but still tries to be the happy guy that everyone sees.

“Oh Rabbie, that’s not stupid. She’s your mom, of course you’ll always seek that love and acceptance from her. For what it’s worth, your nan did a great job in raising you. I can see a lot of people love you in this town. It’s about the family you create, not the family you come from. You clearly have that here.” I grab his hand and squeeze. “I don’t know how you’re not mad at the world, I know I would be.”

Touching him is setting my limbs on fire, but being here for him is more important. He looks down at my hand in his, and then back up to me.

Jade green eyes land on my lips.

My heartbeat picks up pace.

I let go of his hand.

He coughs and rubs his chin.

“I was mad when I was younger for a long time but then I realised if I wasted my life being mad at them, then they’ve won. They chose to leave me, and I chose to not let it ruin my life.”

“You’re a good man, Rabbie. I couldn’t let that shit slide, you’ve already won,” I smile up at him.

“I try to be. I know you’ve only been here for a couple of weeks but even my closest friends couldn’t have said it better. Thanks, for being a good friend,” he nudges my shoulder again.

My breath hitches, and my heart pounds in my chest.Friend.I try to ignore that comment at the present moment.I suddenly see why everyone loves him, and I feel ashamed to have thought I could treat him like one of my casual hookups.

“You’re welcome, now come on, it’s freezing,” I laugh.

Rabbie lets out a booming laugh, and I’m scared he’s going to wake up the whole town. It’s not late, but it feels like it’s midnight because it gets dark here at four o’clock. His laugh warms me, and I’m glad I can make him feel joy in a dark time like this.

“Finally, the cowgirl from Tennessee admits that it’s cold.”

I roll my eyes at him, and a small smile forms on my lips.

“Come on, I’ll race ya back to the bakery,” I tease him.

“There’s no way you can run in those boots, but you’re on!”

“Sugar, I learnt to walk in cowboy boots. I can definitely run in them,” I wink at him.

He looks down at me, my heart starts to race with adrenaline.

“On the count of three - one, two, thr– HEY!”

I push his side and he stumbles, I get a head start. The damp ground makes it harder for me to get ahead, and before I know it, he’s hot on my heels. The pure adrenaline of being chased by someone as sexy, and masculine, as Rabbie has me giggling in a high-pitched squeal.

“You wee cheat,” he finally grabs me by the waist and spins me around just as I reach the back door of Sweet Treats.

“I won! I won!”

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