Chasing Freedom (Book 2)

Chapter Twenty-Six: A Flash Of Silver (Derek/Aislinn)

Chapter Twenty-Six: A Flash Of Silver (DEREK/Aislinn)

Eight Wednesday's.

I rake a hand through my messy hair, letting the wind blow it in all different directions.

Eight fucking Wednesday's.

I couldn't remember the last time someone made me smile or how many days it'd been since I was sober, but the memory of her was still vivid in my mind; her lips on mine, my hands in her hair, her body curled up against me.

I take a gulp from the bottle beside me, what was it; wine? Beer? Vodka? Whiskey?

I couldn't decipher a difference, I only knew that the way it burned down my throat reminded me of the way I loved her.

My eyes fall shut.

She's there, curled up next to me, her hair lightly touching my face every time she breathes.

I can feel it even in my sleep.

My eyes pop open and I realize my face is just inches away from hers. Our noses were practically touching; her soft and even breaths fan my face every time she exhales.

I watch her, finding comfort in the way her body stills against mine, the way she throws her arm so casually across my waist and then sighs contently in her sleep.

A smile coats my lips and I move forward to kiss her eyelids softly, then her nose, her cheeks, and finally her mouth.

She grunts, her face wrinkling before she smiles and her eyes flutter open ever so slightly as she kisses me back.

"Five more minutes," she groans once she pulls away, snuggling deeper into her pillow.

Skylar turns around so her back is facing me and moves her head uncomfortably. I pull her body towards mine; wrapping my arm tightly around her torso and drawing her closer until she's flat up against me.

I kiss the top of her head and listen silently to her soft, evened breaths.

"love you," I whisper and she stirs almost as if she hears me say it but then I shake my head.

Because I know she didn't.

She never does.

It was so much easier saying it when she wasn't awake to hear it, although I didn't exactly know why.

If I loved her so much, why couldn't I just tell her?

I should've screamed it so loud that she wouldn't have been able to ignore it.

In moments like these, where it was just the two of us and the whole world wasn't resting heavily on her shoulders, I should've said it. But I didn't.

I thought I had all the time in the world.

How was I supposed to know that just three short weeks later, she'd be gone?

I sigh and focus my attention on the way she sleep soundlessly beside me, relishing in the memories of when she was still here and fall asleep as well, to the act of her body stilling so safely against mine.

My eyes fly open to the sound of Aislinn's voice, asking me if I'm awake.

I nod my head and try to get my bearings.

Real life, present time, Skylar's backyard.

Her name sends a pang to my heart and I take a swing from the forgotten bottle beside me, I wasn't drunk enough to forget her yet.