Challenger

Last Hope (After)

The smell of pine trees and summer rain fill my head, calming me to an extent. My breath pushing in and out of my lungs as my legs force me forwards.

I had to get out of that cabin, I couldn't stay in in there any longer, the betrayal and anger reverberated off every wall.

I'm sad more than anything. Sad because I think of what my life could've been had I not met Nolan. As much as I want to blame Dallon for this mess, it isn't entirely his fault.

I was the one who got involved with Nolan and the fights, I was the one who got him kicked out of the ring for good.

It just happened to be some cruel turn of fate that Nolan heard about Dallons plight right when he was at his most vulnerable and desperate.

Desperate men will do almost anything to save their families.

And I will do anything to get back to mine.

The rain had finished an hour ago, but the smell lingers. My favourite part of rain was the smell and how clean the sky looks afterwards. The air finally fresh.

I turn around, following my footsteps back, the trees compact enough to have collected most of the rain before it hit the ground.

The cabin comes into sight, the outside light on. I slow my pace, my feet thumping on the hardwood anticipating the shit fight I'm going to experience once I open the door.

Kicking my shoes off in the mud room I push the door open. It's not buzzing with energy anymore, the cabin is quiet, the only sound coming from the wind chimes on near the front door. This is a pleasant change, the last couple of days the boys have been at each other's throats, trying to figure a way out of the mess they've created.

"They all went to town. They said they have a plan" I jump at Dallons voice, his body tense as he sits on the couch.

I only nod, wondering why he isn't with them.

Intending on walking straight past him my brain stops communicating with my feet, stopping me in front of him, unable to move.

His elbows rest on his knees cradling his head. His finger tips massaging his temples. He doesn't look up, but I know he sees me.

I hurts to see him hurting. It hurts more than anything I've ever felt. I know now that his family and his happiness was at stake, that's why he did what he did.

I just wish I wasn't involved. I wish so desperately that I didn't meet him that night. That I didn't compete with him. That his face didn't remind me of home. That his hugs weren't full of more love than anything I've ever experienced.

That I didn't love him.

But I do.

And now I'm so lost. Lost in the storm that is Dallon Hearst. Lost in his love. His admiration. His calm. His devotion. His passion.

"I wish I didn't love you so much..." I whisper, salty tears slipping from my eyes.

"I know" he looks up, his face blurry from the tears falling across my cheeks.

He stands slowly, his thumb wiping away the salty tears from under my eyes and tilting my head up to meet his gaze.

"I love you. Never doubt that" his fierce gaze burning across my face "I started this because I thought I could get back to my family...to save them. Now I know they weren't the ones who needed saving" he cups my face with his palm, his other hand sliding around my waist bringing me closer.

I fight the familiar urge to bury my head in his chest, to feel the warmth and love I am so used to.

"But you're my family, and I will stop at nothing to save you" His lip quivers and he lets out a shaky breath. I know now he will stop at nothing to fix this, and that scares me.

I wrap my arms around his waist, engulfing myself in his scent. The familiar smell of mint and his cologne engulfing my senses. His heart beats rapidly against my skin and I feel at home.

"You're my home" I say out loud, my voice catching. He squeezes me tighter as my arms lock around his waist, begging him not to let me go.

I don't want to love him. I don't want this pain.

But I have it.

And I'm going to use it.