Page 45 of Run to Me
“I . . .” He nibbles on his bottom lip, unable to meet my eyes. “Yeah. Every time I come here.”
My heart flutters and I run my fingers through his hair, not being stopped this time. I tug at the soft strands and he tilts his head back, releasing a soft moan.
“I don’t want to leave you. I’ve never wanted to leave you. But you deserve so much more than me. Someone who’s not as flawed and broken.”
His eyes flash open and he holds on to my wrist. “The man I’m looking at now is none of those things.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, wishing what he said was true. The nightmares prove otherwise. So do everyone’s wary eyes every time I enter a room full of familiar faces in this town. Why won’t he see what he’s supposed to see? If he did, leaving him again would be a lot easier. The pull between us is stronger than ever. An invisible string connects us, immediately synching back together no matter how many times I cut at it.
A loud beep sounds outside and we both drop our hands, breaking away from each other like the old days. Some things really don’t change, do they?
The front door snicks open and Dad appears, smiling. “Jace. You really came. Mom is going to be really happy to have both her boys in the house at the same time again.”
Is she? Doubt nudges its ugly head into my gut. “Yeah, I’m here and will be for the next three days. I let everyone know I’ll be back by Monday. They all ensured they could survive without me for a little while.”
“And I’m sure they can.” My dad squeezes my arm. “It’s really good to have you back, son. Hopefully these visits will become a habit.”
“They just might,” I say with way too much hope in my voice. Nate flashes me a look before turning away to walk toward the kitchen.
“I’m gonna get me a drink. Anyone want anything?”
“I’ll join you.” I jump forward, earning a wide-eyed expression from him.
“I’m okay,” Dad says, setting down his briefcase. “I’m going to be in my office for the next hour grading papers. If you boys need anything, feel free to come knocking.”
Dad disappears down the short hall and I follow Nate into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, he grabs himself a bottle of water and hands me a Coke.
I hold the cold can in my hand, tilting my head.
“What? I was curious to see if you still drank them.”
“On occasion.” I pop the top, taking a long sip. “I’m more of a sweet-tea guy these days.”
“What else has changed?” He closes the fridge, turning fully my way.
“Not too much.” Not anything that matters. My heart continues to beat only for him. My skin yearns for him to press against it and I haven’t stopped searching out his body in my sleep.
“Something tells me that isn’t true. Are you seeing anyone out there?”
“Why? Would you be jealous if I was?” I say with a little humor etched in my voice.
He scoffs. “Hardly.” His eyes narrow in on me. “Are you jealous of Glen?”
“Hardly,” I say back, wearing a shit-eating grin.
His face hardens and he steps back. “You ever going to go see that room of yours?”
“Sure. After you show me yours. I want to see if yours is the same too.”
“You don’t need to see mine.” He quickly turns away from me, leaning against the counter and pretending to look out the window.
“Maybe not, but will you show me anyway?”
“Are you going to want a tour of the bathroom next?” he asks with sarcasm laced in his tone as he turns his head slightly.
“Maybe. Depends on whether Mom ended up getting that wallpaper she always talked about.”
A laugh rushes out of him and the light, welcoming sound lasts longer than it did yesterday. The perfect melody in my ears. I’m glad to know he hasn’t lost that part of him because of me.
