Page 94 of Beneath the Blue Moon
“No, stay.I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
I watch her walk away, unable to shake this uneasy feeling.Something’s wrong.If someone upset her, they’re going to suffer theconsequences.Or was it really me?Was it too soon to profess my love?
“What’s going on?”Charlie asks as he approaches.
“I don’t know, but something’s up.I can feel it.”
“Casey?”
“Yes, and I’m about to find out.Get everyone out of here.”
I find her curled up in bed, hugging one of my shirts andstaring into space.She sniffles, and I realize she’s been crying.I’m aboutready to rip someone’s throat out.Rushing to her side, I kneel by the bed,finding bloodshot eyes and tear-stained cheeks.
“Who was it?Tell me who did this to you.”She moves over,making room while reaching for me.I climb in and pull her into my arms, fear coursingthrough my veins.“Sweetheart,please, tell me what’s wrong.”
“Just hold me,” she whispers.
What do I do?I’m lost.But how can I do anything if shewon’t tell me what the problem is?
“Tighter.”
“It’s okay.Everything’ll be fine.”
As soon as I find who’s responsible and snap his spine.When her arm tightens around my waist, I see that the best thing I can do rightnow is to give her what she needs.If she wants to be held, then that’s whatI’ll do.
“Ethan….”
“Tell me.”
“Did you mean it?”
“What?”
She straddles my hips, and I cringe at the hurt written allover her face.It’s as if someone stuck a serrated blade in my heart andtwisted it.
“When you said you love me… did you mean it?”
“Of course I did.I love you, Casey.”Leaning forward, she restsher forehead on mine.“You’re my life.”
“I love you, too, Ethan.”
This should be the happiest moment of my life.The woman Ilove loves me back.Yet, there is no joy, only anger, hurt, and confusion.
“Tell me who hurt you soIcan hurthim.”
She pulls away, shaking her head.
“No.No hurting.”
“Casey—”
“Make love to me, Ethan.Please.”
The plea in her eyes is my undoing.I don’t know whathappened, but I know she needs me.She needs me just like I need her.I don’tknow what I would do if I ever lost her.God help anyone who ever tries to comebetween us.
