Never Let Go

Chapter 17

This chapter is dedicated to Nikeea for the beautiful cover she made!

~Chapter 17~

It was his voice that broke through my happy delirium.

I was lost in a dream, a pleasant dream where no one could hurt me.

"Addy, you have to wake up." He murmured. "It's starting to get light out."

The lapse of time was what caused me to jolt awake. I needed to get home before my dad was aware of my absence. But first I had to remember where I was.

I blinked open my groggy eyes and glanced around the familiar setting. I was at Daniel's secret place. I was wrapped in his arms, and it was his warmth that had kept the chill in the air from reaching me. Somehow, I'd managed to fall asleep. But had I been so close to him when I'd done so?

I frowned violently, trying to remember but by the end of my hysterics, it all began to blur away. I was so tired and afraid, sleep had overtaken me.

I looked up at Daniel. He smirked down at me, as if my disorientation humored him.

"Don't look at me like that," I grumbled, pulling back from his grip and turning around to properly face the villain.

He smiled broadly. "Like what?"

"Like it's funny that I passed out."

"I never said it was funny. You're just cute when you wake up." He teased.

"Just shut up."

He presented a mock pout. "You wound me, Addy. Why are you so cruel to me?"

"Why are you so annoying?"

He rolled his eyes. "You're grumpy when you wake up."

"I'm grumpy when I have to wake up to you."

Daniel placed his hand on his heart. "You hurt me, you really do."

"Stop being such a drama queen and help me get home."

He stood up and reached out his hand, offering to help me up. I grasped his hand and he hauled me up. I felt slightly confused, as if I was walking in a haze. I was exhausted and I needed to get home. All I wanted to do was curl up under the covers on my bed and sleep.

Daniel drove me home quickly, thankfully. There were barely any cars out at this time, so the roads were clear. I was still in shock that it was so late.

As we neared my house I mumbled, "Thanks."

"What?" Daniel asked unnecessarily. He had heard me perfectly.

"Thank you for bringing me home and waking me up...and for talking." The last part I decided didn't need any extra explanation.

He grinned. "It was no problem, Addison."

"Stop trying to annoy me. I'm too tired for it, Danny." I said, using the obnoxious nickname Tracy used. I knew it got under his skin.

He frowned. "Don't call me that."

"The same goes for me."

He scoffed and looked back at the road. He paused for a moment but when he began to speak I realized his demeanor had suddenly changed. "You should report him to the police." He stated somberly.

"What...no. I can't. He knows my grandparents, and they adore him. My grandmother trusts him, and he would use that to his advantage. He'd used them to get to me, and besides, what proof do I have?"