The North Star | COMPLETED ✔️

Chapter 40 ~ Progress

Chapter 40

My heart clenched as if he'd literally reached into my chest and grabbed it. It was the most beautiful and meaningful thing anyone had ever said to me. I couldn't speak. I couldn't move, not when any movement made would have been towards him.

I stared at his face, at those sharp eyes, that easy expression. I wanted to tell myself he'd said it to try and work his way in, that it was just a line and nothing more.

But I couldn't do that either.

Because it wasn't just a line. Bard meant what he said. It was in his eyes, his stance, the way his smooth, deep voice had curled around the words. It made me feel, and that terrified me.

"Bard..."

He shook his head. "You don't have to say anything. I know it's a lot for a man to say... I just... I wanted you to know." His arm circled around my shoulders, and he guided us the rest of the way back in silence.

You're my North Star, Jessie. The words kept replaying, over and over again. Each time I'd lose my breath, and the wall would crack and chip. You're my North Star, Jessie.

I analyzed it. Ran over every layer of meaning. You are never lost. Not in a physical sense. Not like being dropped in the woods. In life. Like a girl on the bad side of karma running from her own death. A girl who'd never had a real life.

A man who'd had his entire world ripped away from him. Who spent his nights in a bar drinking to forget. Who locked himself away from the world until...

You are never lost.

My eyes stung. Emotions filled my chest until I was sure I'd burst apart. They choked me, clogged my throat. The air grew heavy and thick.

Bard lead us into the cabin, and I pulled away from him. "I... I'm tired."

He studied me with an expression so soft it threatened to push me over the edge. He motioned with his hand. "Alright. C'mon and I'll show you the bedroom."

I followed behind him, my mind on repeat. You're my North Star, Jessie. You're my North Star, Jessie. My heart lurched each time.

Damn him. Damn him for being so much... more!

Bard lead the way through the living room and to a door around the corner.

I let my gaze wander as we stepped inside. A Queen sized bed sat in the center, matching an old wooden dresser to the right and a solitary nightstand to the left. A guitar sat propped in the far corner, covered in dust. Three shotguns hung on the wall to the left, a bow and arrow on the right. Patch worked quilts covered the bed, and more photos lined the walls. 

"This is my room."

I turned to look at him, then scanned the area again.

"Goodnight, Tequila. If you need me, I'll be right on the other side of this wall on the couch."

I stopped him. "The couch? You don't have another room to use?"

He paused with his back to me and gave one stiff nod. "I can't stay in it." His voice was hoarse.

The pain hit me as if it was my own.

"I'll sleep on the couch, then. It's too small for you." I tried to move around him.

Bard spun back around and blocked me. "No. It's fine. Take the bed."

My hands landed on my hips, and I narrowed my eyes. "Bard. You are too damn big for that couch. I'll be fine."