Page 24 of Through The Woods

“You think I brought you out here to hurt you? Jesus.” He ran a hand roughly over his face. “I just wanted to show you something. Come. Sit.”

He extended his arm and I reluctantly placed my hand in his as he pulled me up onto the ledge. We sat on the cold stones overlooking the darkness. When he wasn’t looking, I dried my tears on the sleeve of the sweatshirt he’d loaned me.

“Do you drink coffee?”

Caught off guard, I stuttered, “I-I-I used to…before—”

He interrupted, saving me from having to explain that once I’d found cocaine, I’d forgotten about my other vices. “I’ll be right back. Stay there.”

I nodded and picked at my fingernails. I still didn’t know why we were sitting outside in the dark, but if he wanted me to stay on this rock, I’d do it.

He came back a few minutes later, carrying an armful of things and had me stand up while he spread a blanket down, before handing me a travel mug of hot coffee. The steam wafted up, hitting my nostrils, and I groaned in pleasure.

The sky had lightened just enough for me to see the strange look he was giving me. “You alright?”

God, he must’ve thought I was a complete basket case. “Yeah, it’s just been so long since I had coffee. I forgot how much I loved even just the smell of it.”

He took a sip from his own mug and looked out over the ledge, before pointing off in the distance. “Watch. Just keep your eyes focused back in this direction.”

As if he planned it, the sky began to turn different shades of purple and pink. He’d woken me up to watch the sunrise. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d taken the time to watch a sunrise or sunset.

The sky gradually lightened with orange streaks and then there it was. A burst of light broke through the darkness, illuminating the beauty surrounding us. I closed my eyes and let it warm my face, tears sliding silently down my cheeks. It was stunning. When I opened them again, Charm was watching me.

“Are you having cravings?”

I kept my eyes on the sky as I answered him. “A little, but I think I’ve gotten through the worst of it.”

Please let me stay.

Please let me stay.

He nodded, seemingly pleased by my answer. “You feel like you need a fix, come to me or one of the guys.”

Wait—what?

I stared at him in confusion. “And do what exactly?”

He seemed to catch the implication of his own words and his mouth tightened into a flat line. “I just meant that one of us can help you through it. Redirect your focus—take your mind off of it. Shit. You know what I’m trying to say.”

For some reason, the more agitated Charm got, the more amused I became. I tried and failed to hide the smile on my face. “So, if I feel like I want a hit of coke, I should find one of the bikers to sleep with? Is that right?”

He growled and stood up abruptly. “No—fuck. I just meant you might want someone to talk to—keep you like accountable or somethin’. I’m gonna let you stay. I expect you to hold up your end of the bargain though—cooking and cleaning. Are we cl—”

I ignored the pain in my side and threw myself into him, wrapping my arms around his massive chest. “Thank you! I won’t let you down, I promise. This is going to be a good thing. You’ll see.”

I was rambling…like usual, and Charm stiffened under my arms before pulling away. “Whatever—don’t you have shit to clean?”

I nodded. “I do. And don’t worry, if I feel like I need a fix, I’ll find a biker to help me ‘work through it.’ Is that right?”

I had to have a screw loose.

Who messed with the guy who’d just offered her refuge?

This chick, obviously.

“Jesus Christ. I’m regretting this already.” He stormed off the ledge and back toward the house as I rolled to my uninjured side, laughing until tears flowed down my face.

Fir tree

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