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“We’re both here and we’re okay. That’s all that matters.”
“I love you so much,” he whispers softly, making my breath hitch. “Both of you.”
He places his forehead against mine and I breathe in his scent. His words calm the raging storm inside me completely.
“I love you too, Michael.”
I really don’t want to start crying again. I feel like I’ve cried so much in the past few weeks. Tia was right, I have gone soft.
Michael kisses my forehead before he turns to look at one of the cops, Deputy Steed, who happens to be my parents’ neighbor and his high-school classmate.
“Where the hell is he?!” he asks. He sounds furious.
Officer Steed says something to him but it’s too quiet for me to hear. My dad places a comforting arm on my shoulder. Sam hasn’t stopped crying. I pass Noah into her arms, and she carries him while I head over to Michael.
“I want him thrown in jail for the rest of his fucking miserable existence,” Michael is saying.
“We’ll do what we can. This guy has had plenty of opportunities to get himself together. I guess some people just prefer to be in prison—and that’s exactly where he’s going. I can assure you, he will get maximum punishment,” Deputy Steed tells him.
“Thanks, Jacob,” he says to the deputy.
Michael relaxes when I walk up next to him, and he pulls me into his side. “You saved my family today; I owe you one.”
“Just doing my job,” Deputy Steed says before walking away.
Michael draws me into his arms once again.
“I’m so, so sorry. I’m sorry I left. I’m sorry I wasn’t here. It killed me to think you were in danger. The thought of never seeing you and Noah again drove me crazy.”
And now I’m crying again.
“I’m sorry too, Mike. I should have told you about the job offer. We’re partners and you deserve better than that.”
“I love you. And I’m not just saying this because tensions are high right now. I’ve loved you since I was a teenage boy. Since I could even tell what love was. Every moment, every single thing I’ve ever done in my life has been leading up to forever with you.”
“I love you too, Michael. Always,” I say through tears.
He places a devastating kiss on my lips that leaves me breathless.
He’s absolutely right. I also feel like every single action I’ve taken has led up to this moment, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Soon enough, the crowd disperses, and everyone leaves my home. Michael and I walk in with him holding my hand. We decided that it would be better if Noah spent the night at his grandparents’ house.
Michael also took it upon himself to have a security system installed as soon as possible. According to him, he never should have taken our safety for granted in the first place. I would have called it overkill, but it’s been proven that we could be in danger. Our town is small but there are many people who pass through daily and you never know what you’re going to get.
My heart beats faster as I make my way into the room. I remember how scared I was in here just a few hours ago. Michael grips my hand tighter.
“I’m right here, baby,” he says assuredly.
He helps me grab my phone and essentials before we get in his car and drive to his cottage in the woods. For some reason, I found myself wanting to go there. The place where it all started.
We walk into the house and Michael switches on the lights. It’s always the same. It’s like the cottage is the one constant thing, unchanging in my life. Michael once told me that he hired someone to clean up the place every month, but apart from that it’s largely untouched.
We’re both quiet as we walk into the room and lay on the bed.
“Michael,” I say softly.
He knows without me needing to speak. He knows exactly what I need. He watches me quietly for several seconds until, without saying a single word, he reaches for the hem of his shirt and pulls it off. Then he moves closer to me and helps me out of the rest of my clothes, as well.
