Page 103 of Bound in Darkness

Chase’s body tenses against mine before he relaxes, a chuckle leaving his lips. “My mom used to love this song, too.”

“Really?” His warm breaths feather over my skin as I study his handsome face, trying to determine how he feels about it. If he’s uncomfortable, I’ll turn the song off.

A big smile lights up his face. “Dance with me?”

I melt at his words and nod. He helps me up from his lap, then turns the volume up before standing, ducking his head slightly so he doesn’t hit the roof. He pulls me into his arms, and we begin swaying to the beat.

He hums the chorus as we dance. My heart beats in unison with his. This moment is pure perfect as we sway together, our bodies pressed tightly together.

Closing my eyes, the last few months vanish. The trauma no longer exists and ceases to haunt us as we spin in slow circles inside the treehouse. It’s only Chase and me dancing like a normal teenage couple.

When the song ends, Chase dips me, making me laugh. When he pulls me up, the red and purple colors of the sunset streak the sky behind him.

Pointing to the window, Chase turns, wrapping his arm around me. We stand there, relishing in the beauty of the sky. For the first time since I arrived home, I’m finally delighting in the little things that used to give me pleasure.

“We made it through another sunset, angel.”

“We sure did.”

My heart is so full, it feels as though it could burst.

I stare at his profile, love welling inside me like a geyser. I want to watch every sunset with Chase for the rest of my life.

57

CHASE

Irub my hand over my face, exasperation filling me as Mackenzie and her mom, Pearl, face off in the dining room during dinner.

“I understand you want to have a belated birthday celebration, Mom.” Mackenzie’s hand squeezes the glass of water in front of her as she struggles to control her temper. “It’s not like I was in any state to celebrate it in the hospital. But… I don’t know that I’m ready to face a house full of people.”

Pearl gapes at her. “Since when is Jamie and the four people she invited a house full of people?” Raising her brows, she shoots Mackenzie’s dad, Mike, a perplexed look before focusing on her daughter again. “I thought you’d be happy? You used to beg to hang out with your friends. Since you’ve been back, you haven’t done any of that.” Pearl side eyes me, her posture rigid. I don’t miss it, knowing the underlying insinuation. Mackenzie only wants to hang out with me.

The flash of irritation tightening Mackenzie’s features signals her mom’s comment hurt and pissed her off. I wince, knowing she’s going to lash out in three… two… one.

“Of course, I haven’t hung out with my friends ‘since I’ve been back,’ Mom.” Mackenzie does air quotes around the words, the challenging tone in her voice a warning. She gives her mom a hard smile. “It’s not like I’ve been in the mood to tell Jamie and the rest of my friends how I was bound by ropes and raped by a monster.”

Pearl gasps as Mike mutters, “Jesus Christ,” and slides a weary hand over his face. Grabbing the bottle of beer in front of him, he takes a long swig. I’m tempted to ask him if I could have one.

“Mackenzie Dawn Collins. That’s enough,” her mom snaps, clearly out of patience. Her knuckles are white as she grips her glass of wine, glaring at her daughter.

Mackenzie calmly lifts her glass of water to her lips, taking a long drink. She sets it on the table, her eyes never leaving her mom. “I know you want to stick your head in the sand, Mom, but what I went through was not at all pleasant. It doesn’t just fade away, leaving me the happy-go-lucky girl I was before.”

“I understand that, Kenz,” her mom says through gritted teeth. “I just feel like you’re not trying.” Her eyes dart to me, making me feel like shit.

She thinks I’m the problem. The sole reason her daughter isn’t gravitating to her friends.

Mackenzie explodes. “Damn it, Mom, Chase isnotthe reason why I’m not hanging out withthem. Stop blaming him.” Her fists slam against the table, shaking the plates and dishes of unfinished food. “I’m just not ready to gossip about trivial things after what I endured. I’m not ready for the questions they’re going to throw at me. I’ll have to downplay what happened because if I tell them the truth, they won’t be able to handle it. Hell, you’re twice their age, and you can’t deal. What chance do they have?”

“That’s enough.” Pearl shoves her chair back, shaking her head. “Mackenzie, I know you’ve been through quite an ordeal. Chase as well. I was just trying to give you some sense of normalcy. A chance to celebrate turning eighteen.”

Pearl’s use of the word ‘ordeal’ to describe the hellish torment we went through grates on Mackenzie’s last nerve. My girl is about ready to erupt like a volcano unless I can diffuse the situation.

“Pearl.” I squeeze Mackenzie’s leg beneath the table, silently offering my strength and comfort. “I know Mackenzie appreciates what you’re trying to do. I think she’s surprised that you didn’t discuss this with her before you invited Jamie and her friends here.”

Some of the tension leaves Pearl’s body as her gaze darts from me to her daughter. “Oh. Yes, you’re right. I should’ve discussed this with her first.” She bites her lip. “Do you want me to cancel?”

Mackenzie meets my eyes, flashing me a grateful smile. Shaking her head, she says, “No. But can Chase and I decorate for Christmas tomorrow while you guys are at work? Maybe that will put me in a celebratory state of mind.”

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