AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thanks, Leah, I better go bathe him and get him ready for bed.” We say our goodbyes and agree to video at the same time. I really like Val. She never pushes or tries to pry into the reason why I decided to take my classes online for the rest of the semester. She seems like a genuinely nice person. Katie and Cody both adore her. I speak to my besties every day and even Nathan. He is fast becoming one of us and that makes me so happy because he truly is an amazing guy.
I close my laptop and place it on the bedside table before climbing off my bed and stretching. My shoulders are burning from spending hours sitting there working away on my papers. I peer out the window and marvel at the beautiful view, Alaska is fucking breathtaking. Five weeks ago when I walked out of my brother’s house, I had no idea where I was going to go. I just knew I needed to get away and clear my head. Truthfully, I needed space away from Darius. It was killing me to see him and know that I could never have him. Beck came to my dorm that afternoon and told me to pack a bag and meet him at his car. I didn’t argue. What I didn’t expect was for him to hand me a plane ticket and tell me that I was going to be traveling to their resort in Alaska.
Spending the past five weeks here at this amazingly lavish resort has helped me heal so much. I found a strength within myself I didn’t even know existed, which is the only reason I agreed to Beck’s request of returning home for Thanksgiving. I even found the courage to call my parents last week and tell themeverything. Mom cried, Dad lost the plot and vowed to find a way to ruin the Hayes. It took me a while to convince him that Corvin and the others have everything sorted. I told them that I was taking a break from dance and finally chose a major. My dad was happy that I decided to major in business, but mom is worried about me giving up dance. I love to dance, but after seeing what my brother and the others accomplished, it inspired me. I still want to dance but just not full time. I can’t find the passion for it anymore and the reason for that is because the last time I danced it was forhim.
My phone pings with a message. I turn away from the window and grab it off the bed, smiling when I see who it’s from.
Becky
you set for your flight tomorrow?
I think so…
Becky
what’s with the dots, babe?
Beckett has been my constant. He has been there for me daily and never judges me. I never in a million years thought I would ever become close with Beck, but here I am. I am forever indebted to him for what he has done for me. My phone rings with an incoming FaceTime from Beck and I answer without hesitation.
“Hey,” I say the moment his face fills my screen. Beckett is gorgeous, there is no doubt about that. I’ve wondered for weeks why he couldn’t be the one I had fallen for.
“Hey, beautiful, what’s up?” I sigh.
“I’m nervous.” His eyes fill with understanding.
“Don’t be, no one knows that you are coming back.” I nibble on my bottom lip, debating if I should ask the question that has been burning in the back of my mind all day. “He doesn’t know, Leah.” I swear Beck is a mind reader, my shoulders slouch and I nod. “I haven’t told anyone. If you don’t want to see them, then you don’t have to but we are doing a bonfire at the beach.” This will be the first year I won’t be at home for Thanksgiving. Corvin has sent our parents away on a cruise—needless to say our parents jumped at the chance. Dad has sold his business and they are finally retiring and planning to travel like they have always wanted. They wouldn’t be able to do that if it wasn’t for Corvin.
“Can I get back to you on that one?” I ask nervously.
“Babe, you do what is right for you. He’s an idiot for letting you go. You’re a diamond and if he can’t see past his own pigheadedness, then he doesn’t deserve you.” Beckett always knows what to say to make me feel better.
“Thanks, Beck. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.” He smiles sadly.
“Yeah, you could have. You’re strong as fuck, Leah, and what you have been through, not a lot of women would have survived it like you have.” Feeling choked up, I decide to change the subject.
“How’s the prank war?” Beck told me a couple weeks ago about Darius and Corvin finally making up. That same day they poured oil on the floor and then put a dozen chickens in each of the guys’ rooms. Beck was furious. He said it took a week to get the smell of shit out of his room and ever since, they have been pulling pranks. It warms my heart to know that Corvin managed to work things out with Darius. I’m glad they are still best friends.
“Saint took it too far when he stole the handle bars off Darius’s bike and took the spark plugs from Corvin’s car, making them both late to practice. Coach made them run laps the whole time. Saint wound up with a black eye from Darius that day, so now we are at a stalemate and I fucking hope it lasts.” I laugh, these boys will never fully grow up. We chat for another twenty minutes. I fill him in about my studies and tell him about the resort. He seems so excited to move here after Christmas, I am going to miss him so fucking much while he is here for six months.
* * *
Excitement thrums through me as I wheel my suitcase behind me and head toward the exit. The moment I break through the sliding doors, I spot Beckett leaning against his car. I stop in my tracks as I take in the sight of him. He wears his Ray Ban sunglasses that shield his eyes, his hair a tousled mess but in the most perfect way. He wears a dark green shirt under his leather jacket, his dark wash jeans hug his legs perfectly. I shake myself out of my staring and run toward him. He spots me when I’m a few feet away and a broad smile stretches across his face as he pushes off the car. I drop the handle of my case and launch myself into his waiting arms. I wrap my arms and legs around him as he buries his face in the crook of my neck. To people looking at us we would look like a couple but this is just… us.
“I fucking missed you, babe.” His words have me melting. I lean back in his hold and smile down at him.
“I missed you too, Becky.” He glares playfully at the use of my nickname for him. He swats my ass causing me to yelp in his hold. He grins up at me, causing me to roll my eyes.
“Put me down, caveman, my girls await my arrival,” I say in a horrid accent that has us both laughing. Beck and I spend the drive back to CHU catching up and laughing. It’s so easy with him. I would have thought us having sex would have complicated things but it didn’t. If anything, it has brought us closer. I admit, Beck is fucking hot, but I don’t have that burning sensation in my belly when I’m near him. His touch doesn’t set me ablaze or have me squirming. We pull into the carpark of CHU, nerves thrum through me. Beck parks the car and doesn’t move to get out, instead he reaches across and clasps my hand in his giving a squeeze.
“They aren’t here,” he says softly.
“Do they…” I exhale loudly and pluck up the courage to ask him what I really want to know. “Doesheknow I’m back?” Beck reaches over with his free hand and clasps my chin in his hand as he slowly turns my face toward him.
“I told them to plan something good for Thanksgiving and that was it. They have no idea you’re here.” I nod as I nibble my bottom lip. Beck pries it free with his thumb before brushing the pad of his thumb along my lip.
“Why couldn’t it be you.” My eyes widen when I realize I said that out loud, and his eyes soften.
“You and me fit too well to work, babe.” I frown, not understanding what he’s saying. “You need someone who is going to fight you and not cave to your demands when you bat your lashes and shake your ass. I would cave in a second.” I giggle which draws a sad smile to his face. “Darius won’t. He will fight you and tie your ass down and say fuck it to the repercussions.”
