Page 110 of Catch You

I’d been in that dark, lonely place before. It was not somewhere I was going to fall willingly this time.

I had to fight.

So, I’m here.

Waiting. Giving us a chance. Because, hell, we both deserve it. We’ve only skimmed the surface of my issues, and I fear the same can be said for Harlow. But together, we just make sense. We see the darkness within each other’s souls, and we understand it. We accept it. We embrace it. And fuck, I need that back.

My heart is damn near beating out of my chest when people start emerging from around the back of the church. My palms begin to sweat as I wait to see her once again.

I was here when she first arrived. Although she looked exhausted, devastated about all of this, she was also just as beautiful as she was the first night I laid eyes on her. My need for her has only grown stronger as our time together has gone on.

I don’t miss her looking around as people try to engage her in conversation.

Part of me wants to run when our eyes lock, but my muscles turn to stone as we stare at each other.

My fists clench.

Fuck, I need her.

I’m just about to push from the bench and walk over to take her in my arms when she turns away from me, dismissing me without a second thought.

Pain sears through my chest. I know she has no idea how hard just being here is for me, she has no reason to, but still, fuck. It hurts.

I lift my hand to rub at the ache in my chest, hoping that it will abate, but it never does.

My phone vibrating in my pocket distracts me, and I pull it out.

A little hope creeps in.

Brook: Self-preservation. Be at the house later. She’s ready.

Fucking hell. I hope she’s right.

I don’t knowwhat I’m meant to do to waste the day, but an hour or so after Harlow walked away from me, I find myself standing at my aunt and uncle’s front door. The camper that I have such fond memories of is sitting in the driveway, and I can’t help but remember that night.

My chest aches as it hits home just how much I’ve missed her.

Somehow, in only a short amount of time, she’s managed to find a place in my heart that I wasn’t even aware existed.

I ring the bell and wait.

“Corey!” my aunt announces in surprise when she pulls the door open to greet me. “Shouldn’t you be at work?” she asks before realising what she’s just said and corrects herself. “Not that I don’t want you here, of course. Come in, come in.”

The scent of her home baking fills the house, and my stomach grumbles loudly.

“Perfect timing. I’ve just pulled fresh sausage rolls out of the oven.”

I want to tell her that food isn’t what I came for, but the second my eyes land on the golden, crisp pastry sitting on the counter, I can’t.

“Would you like a coffee, too?”

“If you don’t mind.”

“Of course I don’t mind, silly. Take a seat.” She rattles around, sorting everything out. “I’ve got a cake in the oven, too. It’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

“Sounds fantastic. Thank you so much.”

She brings everything over and takes a seat opposite me.

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