Page 50 of Haven Bound
“I’m not leaving.” His thumb traces over my bottom lip.
Knowing that he’s not leaving gives me the strength and confidence that I need to say, “I love you, too.” And then his lips are crashing against mine like the waves crashing against the sand.
His tongue pushes into my mouth, and we both groan at the contact, his hands grasping my hips and pulling me tight against him. I wrap my arms around his neck, closing any remnants of the distance between us as I nip at his lower lip. A deep growl emanates from his chest as I flick my tongue over the bite.
I gasp and pull away from the kiss as my phone vibrates in my back pocket. “Ignore it,” Austin rasps, his voice laced with love and lust and frustration from being interrupted. I lean in to press my lips to his when the vibration stops. His tongue swipes across my lip before pushing into my mouth and tangling with mine as his fingers dig into my hips beneath the fabric of my top.
The vibration starts back up again, and I reach into my back pocket, pulling the phone out before I break our kiss. Austin’s forehead rests against mine as we both try to catch our breath. I glance down at my phone, and my heart stutters. This is the call I’ve been waiting for.
“It’s my mom…” I murmur, staring at the illuminated phone screen for a moment before swiping my finger across it to answer.
“Hey, Mom.”
“H-He’s gone. He’s gone!” The words fly from her mouth on a sob, her breaths coming in quick pants as she attempts to talk through her tears.
“What do you mean? Who’s gone?” I knew we would be having this conversation soon but it still doesn’t stop me from feeling like there’s a vice gripping my chest, squeezing painfully tight as my heart beats erratically. I know exactly who she’s talking about, but she doesn’t know that. After all, why would I know that he’s dead?
“Dan!” she shouts. “He’s… gone. He died. I-I don’t know what happened! There was a fire. A house fire. He… He was in there. He… He’s gone, Chelsea!” Her words tumble out in between hysterical sobs and heaving breaths.
Austin’s eyes search mine, concern spreading across his face as he reaches for my hand, lacing his fingers with mine. I pull the phone away from my ear and put the call on speaker.
I can feel the pressure building in my chest as my mind conjures up a dozen horrible images of this all falling back on Austin, of him getting caught. As much as I want to hold space for empathy toward my mom and the emotions she’s feeling from Dan’s death, I just can’t. I hate the idea of her being in pain and experiencing heartbreak.
But I’m not sorry that Daniel Witters is dead.
A huge weight was lifted from my shoulders with his death. It was like I’d been walking through a dark and terrifying forest for so long, only to finally emerge through the trees and be greeted by a stunningly bright meadow filled with blooming wildflowers.
Like being trapped in a never-ending nightmare and then suddenly waking up and realizing it was all a dream. Only, in my case, it wasn’t a dream. Everything that I went through, all of the pain and abuse at the hands of Dan, and my mom by association; it all really happened. But his death has granted me a sense of peace and the ability to move forward with my life.
“Okay…” I won’t say that I’m sorry because I’m not. The world is a much better place without him.
“Okay?” My mom’s voice rises, her tone dripping with disbelief and anger at my dismissal. “That’s all you have to say? He was part of our lives, Chelsea, and now he’s gone,” she spews, her sobs having turned to ire.
“Yeah, and he was a piece of shit human being.” I squeeze Austin’s hand and lean into the steady warmth of his body, seeking comfort. Hisdeep blue eyes never leave mine as he wraps a hand around my waist and secures my body against his.
“He wasn’t always that way. I have a lot of really nice memories with him.” I don’t know if she’s trying to convince me or herself, but her voice lacks any kind of conviction.
“I’m glad you have nice memories with him, Mom. But the only memories I have involving him are filled with pain and abuse. I’m sorry that you’re upset, but I’m not sorry that he’s gone.” Having Austin’s arm wrapped around my waist while his other hand is still clasped with mine gives me the calm confidence to say the words I need to.
“Yeah, well I plan on going to his funeral and I think you should go too and pay your respects.”
Pay my respects?How can she possibly think that I harbor any respect for that man? I didn’t respect him when he was alive, I certainly don’t respect him now that he’s dead.
“No, Mom. I won’t be going to his funeral. I don’t want anything to do with it. He can rot for all I care,” I manage. Austin leans in and presses a gentle kiss to my temple, squeezing my hip and lending me any strength that he can.
There’s a faintclicksound and then the line goes silent.
She hung up on me.
Austin takes the phone from my hand and reaches around me to slip it into the back pocket of my jeans. Tears threaten to fall, and I press my hands over my eyes, trying to hold them back as Austin gathers me into his arms and pulls me into his chest.
I know that it’s not my fault that she’s upset. I didn’tmakeher feel that way, and I’m not responsible for her emotions. I just can’t help feeling like this phone call isn’t the end. Something else is coming.
40
Chelsea
Yesterday was exactly whatI needed. Between laser tag and the evening we spent down at the beach, I feel refreshed and ready to tackle the insanity that I’m sure today is going to bring.
