Needing her.

Chapter 9.

I start my car. She is sitting beside me. Her eyes still puffy from her cry session. I put my seatbelt on and drive away.

We drive in silence for a while. Not an awkward silence. It feels comfortable. She is right there. I feel safe. I'm attached.

'Professor-' I start.

'Please, call me Cate' She interrupts me. 'You can call me Cate when we are together.'

Okay then. Cate. Cate. Cate.

'Cate,' I start over. 'Can I ask you who that man was?'

She shifts in her seat. 'That was Andrew, my husband.' She clears her throat. 'My soon to be ex-husband.'

Yes! 'Oh I'm sorry for asking,' I try to sound compassionate, but I'm actually pretty happy about the information I just got. 'I didn't-'

'Don't be.' She interrupts. 'He is a dick.' She states.

'Oh.' I exhale. I didn't notice that I hold my breath. 'Well, he looks like one.'

She laughs. 'Yes, his personality matches his appearance.'

I chuckle. A warm feeling embraces me. 'Are you divorcing him?'

'Yes.' Her voice sounds absent. 'He cheated on me a couple times.' Her voice shakes when she says that thing that probably hurts her the most. I couldn't imagine the pain she must've felt.

'Idiot.' I state. 'He seriously is a dick.'

'Yeah.' Again her voice is far away. She is lost in her thoughts when I look at her. What an idiot he is. He was so lucky to have something this precious.

I reach for her hand. One hand on the wheel and one holding her hand. She squeezes my hand. Her head turns to me and she sighs. 'Do you live alone Callie Winchester?' Her voice is deep and it shoots chills down my spine.

'No. I live with my father.' I let go of her hand. I feel to vulnerable. I miss her warmth immediately. I want to grab her hand again but something holds me back.

'Where is your mother?' She asks.

I breath in. Hold it. And exhale. 'She died five years ago.' I try to stay calm when I say it. 'She killed herself when I was 21.' My breath stops. Everything around goes on mute.

I drive. And I don't hear anything. My heart still aches for my mom. After a while I feel her hand on mine.

'I'm so sorry, Callie.' I hear a hint of sadness in her voice. 'I shouldn't have asked.'

'No, it's okay.' I exhale while talking. 'It's just-' I swallow. I can't say it out loud. I shut my mouth. I try to shake it off. A shiver shoots down my spine.

'Hey, I get it.' She squeezes my hand. 'I understand, dear.' Her voice is full of compassion. Her hand never left mine.

I give her a quick look and immediately turn my head back to the road. 'Would you like some music?' I ask.

'Yes. I would like that.' She reacts. I hand her my phone. I quickly find her hand again. She searches for some good music.

A couple minutes later my car is a little disco. She dances a bit with her shoulder and she taps her foot on the beat. I like this view. I like her.

What should I do now?

I look at the time. 10am already. 'Did you have breakfast?' I ask her. 'Yes, but I'm hungry.' She chuckles. 'Me to.' I state.

I stop at little shop at the side of the road. 'Let me get you something, wait here.' I tell her when I exit the car. She gives me a smile.

I come back with two chocolate croissants and two plain coffee's. 'Here.' I give her her coffee. 'Thank you.' Her voice is soft.

We eat in the car. We don't talk, but the silence is comfortable. After we're done we resume our little roadtrip. I hum at the music. What a time to be alive.

'We should go swimming.' She says, out of the blue. 'You want to swim?' I curiously ask. 'Yes.'

'Okay. Then we're going for a swim.' I excitedly say. Fuck. I can't swim. I have scars. No.

I stop in the middle of two mountains. A beautiful little lake is shining in the sun. The mist is hanging on top of the surface. 'We don't have swimwear with us.' I state, a bit uncomfortable.

'I hope you're wearing underwear then.' She seductively says. I look away. Cheeks burning.

'I will go first.' She breaks the silence. She gets out of the car. I stay put. I see her walk to the shore. She takes off her loose trousers. And then her button up.

She is wearing a black lace bra and a simple underpants. I feel a twinkle in my core. God, she is perfect.

She slowly walks into the water. Her clothes on a pile at the side. She gives me a wave. A sign to come join her.

I give in. I get out. Slowly take of my clothes. The scars on my right arm and leg are showing. I turn around. Shit, I can't do this.

I gulp. 'Are you coming?' She yells.

I turn back around. Yes, I am.

I walk towards the water. 'It it cold?' I ask.

'Not anymore.' Her voice is raw.

I grin. My feet touches the water. A shiver runs up my spine. Cold.

I don't give in. I walk towards her. She comes closer. Then we are reconnected. My arm is behind my back. I stand in front of her.

She gives me a smile. A weird tingling in my stomach sets in. We walk in silence to the point that our shoulders are under water.

I look at her. God, she is beautiful. 'Are you cold?' She asks.

'No.' I state. I'm not lying. I feel warm. Because of her.

With her I feel safe. She comes closer. Her hands touch mine. She takes them. Holds them. Our eyes meet. There we are, standing in silence. Just enjoying each others company.

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Hi guys! Sorry that it took a couple of days to update. Hope you liked this chapter 😘

Take care of yourself loves💓