Page 112 of Deeper

“What do you mean? Where are you going? You’re leaving for a break or for good?” Rylan speaks as she sits up, moving closer to Tatum.

“I don’t know about forever, but I’m leaving for now.”

“What about your place? And your photography?” Rylan’s concern is in the forefront.

“I ended the lease at my place, and I’m leaving for my photography.”

“What do you mean?”

“I couldn’t get your voice out of my head after that day in the coffee house when I told you about the things I wanted to accomplish for my photography. A few days after, I started a website and put some of my more artistic pieces up on the site. I started out small, showcasing eight photos, and they’ve all sold.”

“Tatum, that’s great!”

She blushes at Rylan’s compliment. “People have been contacting me for more. This website isn’t a photography studio yet, but it’s a step. I got a small, used RV. I need to leave Maplefield if I want to take all kinds of beautiful pictures. And, with my connections, I can get freelance work almost anywhere if I need to.”

“I’m so proud of you, Tatum.” Rylan takes her friend’s hand.

“I’m happy about it, but…”

“But what?”

“I won’t leave if you need me, Rylan. I can postpone leaving for a while.”

I’m anxious for Rylan’s response. I have plans to leave, too, and I want Rylan with me. With Tatum leaving, she has nothing left in this town, and her job doesn’t keep her here either.

“Tatum Bennett, you will do no such thing! You’re talented, and you need to see where this takes you. Besides, I never intended to stay here. I’m not sure what my next step is, but I know this isn’t where I end up.”

“Oh, yeah?”

Rylan leaves me hanging, but I remain cool while I wait for her to explain.

“Been thinking about checking out the desert. I’m a Florida girl, and winter will be here before we know it. I’d never survive a New England frost.” Her response is addressed to Tatum, which drives me crazy.

“What are you saying, Little Bird?” I demand her attention.

“My place is with you. There is no place I’d rather be than wherever you are. Take the job, and I’m coming with you.”

Abruptly, I stand, and my chair dumps over in my excitement. I pull Rylan from her seat and hoist her up. Her fingers lock around my neck, and her legs cling to my waist. I kiss her soft lips in the middle of the almost empty bar. A few of the day drinkers clap their hands at our display. Her mouth is sweet, like always, and her tongue teases mine.

“Thank you,” I whisper against her cheek.

“When do we leave?” she asks while rubbing her hands against my beard.

“In a few days.”

“You and me on the open road, wreaking havoc in each new town we stay a while in. I like the sound of that. Are you going to be able to put up with me full-time in your house on wheels? My adorability might wear off. The crazy sex could become predictable.”

“Your perception of yourself is a little skewed. Sexy, driven, impulsive, and diabolical are all words I would use to describe you, but rarely are you adorable.”

She playfully smacks the side of my head.

“As for the sex, I don’t think anything about you and me, including our kinky side, could ever become predictable.”

“Promise?” Her voice shakes a little, as if she’s consumed by the worry that we’ll forget about the darkness that brought us together.

“I promise, and a friend of mine recently taught me how important my promises are, so you never have to worry about me breaking my word to you. We’ll always be the people we found here in Maplefield. Our location won’t change that.”

You can take us out of the small town filled with secrets, but you can’t take the dark and twisted out of our world. I mean every word, but Rylan still seems reserved about something.

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