AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The look of despair on Chase’s face is heart wrenching, so I nod, hoping he thinks I believe him. I stare at a spot on his T-shirt, not wanting him to see the doubts.
His mournful voice drags my eyes to his. “I wish I could hold you.” His eyes drown me in sorrow. “I ache to wrap my arms around you.” He holds up his bound wrists, a frustrated sigh coming from his lips. “But I can’t.”
A huge lump swells in my throat as I squirm so I’m closer to him. “At least we’re beside one another.” I swallow a few more times, but the lump is still present. “I couldn’t stand it if I wasn’t. You’re my lifeline, Chase. My comfort in the storm. The raft keeping me afloat, rather than drowning in the darkness.” I sniff, closing my eyes. “If you weren’t here, I’d drown. I can’t do this…”
“Hey, no. Stop that right now.” His eyes darken, emotion swirling in them. Rolling onto his side, he grabs my hands. “Promise me, no matter what happens, you’ll keep fighting. You’ll do everything to survive.”
I stare at him, not saying anything.If he dies, I don’t want to live. But I can’t voice the thought. Not when he’s begging me with his eyes.
“Promise me.” He squeezes my hands harder, the look on his face so commanding that I have no choice but to nod.
He nods as though he accepts that before turning onto his back.
I turn my head, staring at him.What keeps him fighting so hard? How does he cling to optimism and hope when I so easily lose it, especially here?
I have no idea. I know very little about his past because I felt disloyal to my brother every time I opened my mouth to ask questions. The words stuck in my throat until I closed my mouth and turned away.
Now, I feel like a damn fool for not learning more about him.
There’s still time. You have tonight.
I debate how to ask him. If feels wrong to just blurt out something stupid like,“So tell me about your past and the trauma you endured.”
Instead, I start with a confession of my own. “I didn’t just think of you sexually, Chase. I mean, I did think about that, but it was more than that. You surprised me with your quick wit. With every insult I slung at you, you dished it right back.” I pause, searching for the right words. “But it wasn’t just the insults and fighting that made my pulse and heart race. It was your patience with me. How sweet you were. Even when I was a bitch, you’d hold the door for me. If someone insulted me, you defended me before I could open my mouth. When I was sick, you took care of me. When the storm brought on panic attacks, you were the one who comforted me. You sacrificed your wants for me.” Blowing out a breath, my face burns from embarrassment.
“Tell me, Kenz.”
I peek at him. There’s a knowing expression in his eyes. My embarrassment gives away the secret I’ve been keeping. “Remember when my parents were out of town, and you had a date with Megan Robinson?”
Chase nods, his brows furrowing.
“Remember I said I wasn’t feeling good, and you ended up canceling your date to stay home with me?”
I see the light bulb moment on his face. “Yeah. I wasn’t going to leave you home alone when you were sick.” His voice lowers on the last word before an incredulous expression crosses his face. “You weren’t ill.”
My eyes lower to his chest. “Not technically, unless jealousy counts as an illness.”
His laughter draws my attention to his face. “You should see your face. You look like a kid caught with their hand in a cookie jar.” He shakes his head, his bound fingers grabbing the material of his sweatshirt and pulling me closer. “I figured that out, Kenz. You made a dramatic improvement while we were watching movies and eating pizza.”
An embarrassed giggle escapes. “Yeah, I’m not a good liar.”
He snorts. “A shitty one. Remember we started arguing about who the villain was? You lost the bet you insisted we make and took the cowards way out by hitting me with a pillow and then knocking down the chair when you ran from the room.”
“You’re a track star and too damn fast. I had to use whatever advantage I had.”
“You mean cheat.” He flashes me a boyish grin, and my heart stutters inside my chest.I started falling for you then. How could I not, considering who you are?
I’ve never met anyone like Chase Landon. He’s a rarity, possessing more integrity, compassion, and empathy than anyone I’ve met.
“That wasn’t the first time you sacrificed for me.” My voice is soft. “There were plenty of other times.”
His eyes shine with moisture as he lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “Sacrifice. It’s what you do when you care deeply for someone. The more you care, the more you’re willing to sacrifice.” His fingers stroke mine.
Is it wrong that my heart leapt inside my body, hoping he was going to confess that he loved me? Why does the thought of being loved by him make my heart soar like a bird in the sky?
“You always say the best things to me, Chase.”
The softness in his eyes and the smile lighting up his face causes shivers of pleasure to race up my spine. Right now, the only thing I want in this world is to see him happy. Especially given the circumstances we’re in.
