Page 16 of Rome: The Ballerina

I gathered myself. My eyelids sealed for a brief second. I inhaled roughly and then exhaled slowly. Instantly, I felt better.

Connected. I read the word that popped up on the right side of the screen. I swiped my hand down to locate the music player.

“Interesting, Sac.”

“So are you, Ms. Mellow.”

The music began playing, quieting us both. Sac shifted gears and placed his foot on the gas pedal. Within a few seconds, we were moving again.

The beautyof Mount Clarke was astounding. Though I’d been isolated on the most incredible tropical island I’d ever placed my two feet on for nearly three years, there was nothing like home.

St. Catana was a dream, but it wasn’t my dream. It was Teddy’s dream. It was such a joy watching it become his reality.

I could’ve retired on the island as well. It was breathtaking. The way of life was simple. And, there wasn’t an unhealthy cycle of working, sleeping, and eating.

The locals made it a point to enjoy life. It was part of the Catanian culture. A culture that my brother had designed with his wild imagination.

I had aspirations. Chemistry knew it. My mother knew it. My sisters knew it. And, they were impossible to extinguish.

I wasn’t the first to set foot on Clarke’s soil, but neither was I the last. Adapting to our new family dynamic was an act I’d avoided as long as I could. However, at some point, I grew tired of trying to escape our truth. It was real. It was raw. And, it was staring me right in the face, no matter how many times I looked away.

Oh, Teddy.

I squeezed my eyelids together, again. Though a strict, ultra firm stature, he’d earned his name by being a source of comfort for us all. He was our place of peace. Our stability. His words often cut deep, but they healed the same wounds they caused, and even those they weren’t responsible for. One look at him and everything was better. His presence meant the world could stop bleeding and our worries could rest.

Cleo Sol’s voice lulled me to a familiar place. I pushed the lump in my throat down my windpipe and into my stomach. My quivering fingertips rested against my legs.

I love you, baby. Teddy’s voice settled my nerves.

In this lifetime. In every lifetime. I’ll find you– every time. Every time, Rome.

Misty eyes emphasized his sincerity. His honesty. His pain and mine. Still, I boarded the plane with the heaviest heart and feet. Seconds felt like lifetimes passing us by. And, when my butt finally hit the seat, the weight of our reality crushed me. I came unglued, nearly crying myself into a coma.

“Rome.”

“Rome–”

Sac’s voice nudged me awake. It was so close. So was he. His right hand rested on my knee as he stood between the door and the passenger’s seat.

Slowly, I regained consciousness as my eyes turned to slits while trying to read the numbers on the clock. I had no recollection of the last few minutes of my life. The storm of emotions had passed and the calm put me to sleep.

“Sleeping beauty has risen,” Sac teased.

I couldn’t stop the corners of my lips from curving upward, even if I tried.

“I wasn’t aware I’d fallen asleep.”

Sleep was the furthest from my thoughts as the words left my mouth. Sac’s warmth brought me solace. The alleviation he provided pushed me off the cliff I’d been toying near the edge of since he entered my world, again, this morning. Resting in his presence was proof that I was flying and falling simultaneously.

“Those are the best ones. The quick, unexpected naps. Feels like a couple of lifetimes have passed you by once your eyes are finally open.”

Wordlessly, I peered up at Sac, wondering if he understood the magnitude of his statement. The reference was staggering. His long, thick eyelashes shielded his eyes like curtains. But, still, I was able to admire their uniqueness. They matched the hair on his head, eyebrows, lashes, and arms.

My mind quickly traveled to the filthiest places of all. However, I didn’t stray. I wondered. And, I grew curious at the mere thought. The idea of sandy hairs shielding his shaft was intriguing.

“This way, Ms. Mellow. Maybe some coffee will keep those pretty eyes of yours open long enough to learn my favorite color and birthday.” He chuckled, helping me out of his vehicle.

Naturally, our fingers joined as he shut the door. The softness of his skin consumed the signs of wear and tear. He hadn’t lived a rough life. Neither had he built a home brick by brick. Changing tires wasn't exactly in his near future. Hammering nails wasn’t in his past, either.

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