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~*~
I walked into a quiet house after I was dropped off by my Uber driver. I felt it was best if Landon and I parted ways at the restaurant. Not that I thought he would stalk me or anything—it was just awkward after the whole “video games” thing. I needed to decompress after my so-called date, so I welcomed the silence. And I was extremely grateful not to have to face Kane. Admittedly, I had been hoping I could come home and tell him I’d had a great time and that Landon and I would be seeing each other again. That wasn’t happening, and honestly, I wasn’t even sure if I would be watching Confessions of a Forensic Pathologist anymore. I had a feeling if I did, I would always think to myself that Landon had wanted to sleep with me. Kane had probably perceived Landon’s intentions. Maybe he was right and there was a reason Landon was still single. Ugh. Men.
I knew I should probably get some work done, but I didn’t think I would be able to concentrate. Even though Landon was a dud, his work still excited me. I itched to go research DNA methylation signals and the time-tracing fingerprint technology Landon and I had discussed over lunch. It was amazing that we could tell how old a fingerprint was now.
Instead, I found myself in the library scrolling through Naomi’s books. I wanted to talk to her, but she was doing something more important—having dinner with my father and hopefully getting some answers for me. If only she could tell me what to do with my life. With Kane.
While I perused the books, I received a text from the maddening man. Did you make it home all right?
I debated about responding, but I could picture him getting ready to avenge my death or, at the very least, call the police. I’m home.
I wondered where he was. I almost asked him, but it wasn’t any of my business. And he didn’t respond, so I went back to searching for a book to take my mind off the events of earlier today. Especially my thoughts regarding Kane’s theory on me running away. Maybe he was right. Of course, he was right.
I sank into the chintz chair nearest me, my mind reeling as I recounted all the times I’d run away in my life. I’d run away from being valedictorian. From my stepsiblings and stepmothers, letting them bully me into silence and self-loathing. I’d spent years, not to mention my medical residency, running away from my career dreams, or at least being too afraid to pursue them. I’d even tried to run away from Kane in the beginning, but he wouldn’t let me. I was still running away from him, yet he still chased. And perhaps that’s why I couldn’t forgive him now. Eight years ago, he’d stopped chasing me. He’d stolen my courage—him. And instead of finding my own courage, I did the safe thing. I gave up on my dreams.
But was it really safe? I was still chasing after my father’s approval, begging him to love me and be proud of me. See me. It’s all I’d ever truly wanted. So technically I was trying to make my dreams come true. Then why did I feel so empty?
I curled into myself, afraid of the answer.
While contemplating my life—more like trying not to contemplate it—I noticed a book, Harvest of Blood, on the small table near the chair. I smiled when I picked it up. It was a medical thriller by one of my favorite authors, Taron Taylor. I had no idea Auggie liked him, too. Though he probably didn’t love him for the same reasons as I did. Taron Taylor wrote great thrillers, but my favorite part was always the amazing love story woven into the plot.
I hadn’t had a chance to read this book yet, so I picked it up hoping it would be a good distraction. A track for me to use to run away from my life. I was obviously good at it. Too good.
I read and read until it was dark, until my eyes became heavy and I fell asleep in the chair. I was startled awake by a gentle shake. Blinking several times, I allowed my eyes to adjust and focus in on Auggie, who stood smiling above me.
I sat up and tried to stretch out the crick in my neck. “What time is it?”
“Eleven.”
That was good news. It meant he and Naomi had been together for hours. Or, that’s what I assumed. I supposed he could have gone somewhere else after dinner.
“How was dinner?” I asked nonchalantly.
Auggie didn’t answer me. His head was tilted, studying me. “It’s been a long time since you fell asleep in this library. I used to have to carry you to bed when you were a little girl.”
