Page 56 of Until I Found You
Twenty-One
Halle
Graham:Got plans tonight? Thinking about hitting up the races with the guys. Wanna join? Wes is gonna talk to Kins about coming too.
A smile breaks out across my face at the thought of seeing him. We used to go to the races all the time growing up. In fact, we all thought Wes was going to be the next big star to hit motocross until he injured his back right after high school. It was devastating to him, something I think still bothers him to this day.
I shoot back a text telling him I’m there and he replies saying to be ready in thirty minutes. I check the clock, seeing it’s already after six. It’s crazy how fast the day has flown by. Although I feel like I’ve been milling around in a cloud since I got home.
Spending the weekend with Graham was totally unexpected but meant everything to me. Although I still haven’t been able to get my mind off the fire at his mom’s house. I keep thinking about what could’ve happened had we not been there. What if it would’ve spread to her house and she didn’t know it until it was too late?
I shake myself from my thoughts, pressing my fingers against my forehead massaging them.
“You okay?” Kinsley asks, catching me off guard.
“Yeah, just thinking about how bad the fire at Sandy’s house could’ve been had we not been there.”
“Oh, yeah,” she says, bending her knee on the edge of my bed. The look on her face matches mine. She understands the worry I feel thinking about all Sandy’s been through and now to add this to the situation.
“I’m sure it’s okay. I mean, really, who would try to do something to Sandy? She’s the sweetest woman in town. I’m sure after they investigate it, everything will be fine.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you’re right,” I sigh, walking over to my closet looking for a change of clothes.
“Wes just texted me about heading down to the track to watch the races. He mentioned you and Graham are coming with.” She smiles. I know she’s loving how much time we’re spending together, but even more that we’re all now doing things together again.
“Yeah, he said he’s going to be here to pick me up in a bit.”
Clapping her hands together, she jumps to her feet. “Yay, that makes me so happy.”
She bounces around the room gleefully, pausing to check herself out in the mirror.
“I’m going to change quick and head over to Wes’s to meet up with him. We’ll see you down there shortly then.” She reaches up and starts gathering her long dark hair into a ponytail. She checks her reflection as she ties her hair back, before she pecks a kiss against my cheek and flounces out the door.
I spend the next few minutes busying myself with getting ready too. The warm August sun will start to set here soon. When the sun goes down and the night sky takes over, it will get chilly. I grab a hoodie out of my closet and opt for a fitted T-shirt, denim shorts, and my Chucks.
After spending a few minutes styling my hair in a messy bun, I’m right on time when I hear the doorbell ringing. I don’t bother checking who it is, as I swing the door open and smile up at Graham.
The look on his face is all serious and I realize my error in that exact moment. I almost want to slam the door in his face and do it all over again.
“Halle,” he growls.
“Whoops.” I lock my jaw, forcing a smile through gritted teeth.
“What did I tell you about checking who it is before you just swing the door open? What if it wasn’t me?”
“I knew it was you.” I grin, wrapping my hand into the front of his shirt and pulling him inside.
I wrap my hands around his waist, holding him close to me as I press my face against his chest. At the risk of looking like a total weirdo, I take a deep breath and inhale him in. He smells so good. Woodsy, like he just spent the afternoon in a forest cutting down trees.
His strong arms surround me, and I just want to get lost in the feeling of being close to him. You’d think it’s been months, not just a few hours, since we stood exactly like this. I don’t know if I’ll ever get enough of him after being apart for so long.
“I missed you,” he whispers against the side of my head and I don’t hold back the grin that takes over my face.
It’s like he was reading my thoughts, knowing how much I missed being away from him.
“I missed you.” I smile, tilting my head back so I can stare at him.
He winks at me, pressing a kiss against my mouth. Running my palms over his firm chest, I wrap my hand around the base of his neck and hold him to me. When his tongue brushes along my lower lip, seeking entrance, I don’t even hesitate to let him in.
