Page 116 of Second Chance

47

Side-lined

[Denton]

“Hey,” I say, holding open the door to the diner with my back. I watched Mati exit her truck and then take a seat on the bench before the diner. Her head spins from me to the street and back.

“You…but…” She’s pointing from me to the center of town, and I chuckle.

“Spice, whatcha thinking?”

“I just watched you leave.”

The teasing smile on my face falls, and I step forward, forcing her to scoot over on the bench. Grabbing both her hands in mine, I find them freezing again.

“I’m right here, sweetheart.” She nods in response, confusion on her rosy cheeks in the damp, cool mountain morning. “Come inside, okay?”

It’s like I’m leading a wild animal, waiting for her to pounce or try to flee.

Focus on me. I set her on a stool and round the counter for a mug of coffee. Serving it up to her, I return around the counter and take a seat next to her. I spin her, so her knees come between mine, and I reach one of her cold hands, rubbing it between my fingers.

“I thought you left.” Her voice sounds a little dull, and I want to envelop her, draw her into me, and light the fire I know this woman has inside her.

“I told you I planned to stay.”

“For a night,” she whispers, but there’s a question in her statement.

“For as long as you’ll keep me, Mati.” Her eyes widen, and she slips her other hand into mine.

“I need to be serious for a moment, and I only want to mention this once. I have things to say to free myself, and then I hope we can let it go.” I take a deep breath, and Mati’s fingers close over mine, giving me an encouraging squeeze. “I think Chris wanted us to be together…and strangely, I think he put Jax’s number and the letter together before me on the table in your house. I wanted you to take care of me that night, just like old times. But I think Chris was reaching out, because he couldn’t smack me upside the head, and tell me it was time I finally took care of you.”

I bring our collective fingers to my mouth and press my lips against her fingers. “I’m here to take care of you, Mati. Follow you, wherever that leads.”

“Denton, I…I don’t know what to say.” Her brows furrow and her expression shows she questions my decision, but things are settled.

“You think I’m crazy, don’t you? About Chris? Like he haunted me or something.”

“No, I…I think…I don’t know what to think, but I definitely know Chris is no longer with me. Maybe he does want you to be here. But is this really what you want? You couldn’t wait to get out of this place.”

“You’re right. I couldn’t wait to go, but not to leave you behind. I wanted to go on that road trip, Mati. I wanted you to be with me…forever. And Chris knew it.”

“What are you saying?”

I’m not certain I should share my secret, my guilt. I don’t want to sound as if I’m trying to tarnish Chris’s memory or his intentions. He loved her as much as me, but I don’t want any more secrets.

“I’m saying Chris asked me to go, without you.”

“Why?” she whines, and her voice rings out like the memory in my head of her at seventeen.

“Because he knew I loved you then like I still love you now.”

Tears spill from her eyes.

“I don’t want to upset you. I just want to have this out here. One final secret revealed.” I swipe a silent tear trailing down her cheek. “Can you forgive us both?”

More tears fall in earnest as she bites her lip and nods. I lean forward and brush my lips against hers, soft and light, before pulling back. She giggles for some reason, and I relax as the tears fade, and her face brightens.

“Who was in your car?” she asks, wiping away the last bit of moisture on her cheeks and twisting for the door.