The chase

chapter 7

I leave my phone at home, grab my coat and run out in the rain, not bothering with the car. I can’t believe it has been almost eighteen years and they have not once thought of telling us. We wouldn’t of have loved them any less, they’d still be our parents. Did they think that we’d leave them? That we’d run the first opportunity we got?

Tears were running down my cheek as I entered the park, almost immediately I hear the voice that was like the solutions to all my problems.

“Lexi?” Cade stands in front of me, curiosity and concern in his eyes and a frown on his face. He cradles my face in his hands, thumbs caressing my cheek, eyes boring into mine. He gently let’s go of my face and guides me to his car.

We drive for about half an hour before we stop at the beach, the waves crashing against the shore.

“Lexi, are you okay?” I turn to face Cade.

Even after he ruined my date today, I still need him. It may seem childish and indecisive but it’s true. He’s not asking what’s wrong or to explain what’s happened. He is asking if I’m okay.

But I tell him anyway, I tell him every word that I heard, all my thoughts, my feelings. He didn’t utter a word, just held me, cradling my face in his hands, waiting for me to finish.

I felt exposed, my emotions were running wild and even though he was touching me in a simple way, merely cradling my face it felt good, as if I was a fragile doll. I looked into his hazel eyes, so green in the night. The way he looked at me, so deep into me. There was a certain emotion in his eyes that I recognised.

I knew it all too well because most of the time it was the emotion that lingered in my eyes whenever he was near or on my mind.

Love.

It had a certain edge to it.

Awe.

Was it possible for this man to feel the same way I feel?

Was his possessiveness for me real, or was it just because I was out of reach.

I wanted and loved him for twelve years, and as much as I told him and showed him it felt like it didn’t matter. Like the words meant nothing to him, like it was all just a major crush.

“Lexi, I’m here. I know for so damn long I wasn’t. But I’m here for you, here to stay.” He whispers, all the while staring at me. Slowly he starts to lean in.

The wheels in my head go hay wire.

My stance shifts immediately.

My shoulders stiffen, eyes widen, breath hitches.

I can’t breathe.

He’s going to kiss me.